one sec vs ScreenZen

one sec

• People who want a pause before social apps rather than a hard block
• Using one purchase across iPhone, Android, Mac and desktop browsers
• Teams and schools buying multi-seat licenses

ScreenZen

• People who want a screen time blocker without paying a subscription
• Adding a pause before social apps instead of removing them
• Keeping phones out of use in the bedroom with the optional halo device

one sec

• The free version covers a single app or website; adding more needs one sec pro.
• The price depends on where you buy: one sec's web store charges $3.99 a month in the US, while the US App Store lists the monthly purchase at $6.99.
• No Windows or Linux desktop app is listed; on those systems one sec runs only as a browser extension.
• Not every Pro feature is on every platform: the help center's table marks strict block sessions and website blocking as unavailable on Android.

ScreenZen

• The app is funded by donations; its in-app purchases are optional tips, listed from $5 to $40 on the US App Store.
• The halo companion device costs $49, ships to the US only and works with iOS 16.4 or later and Android 12.0 or later.
• The Windows version is a direct download from ScreenZen's site, while the Mac version shares the App Store listing with the iPhone and iPad app.
• On Android, website blocking relies on the Accessibility permission.

one sec

Interruptions before an app opens

A short pause appears before a chosen app or site opens. Types include a breathing exercise, a mirror, a math task, rotating the phone and typing random text.

Re-Intervention

After a set time inside an app, for example 5 minutes, one sec sends you out and asks you to go through another interruption to unlock more time.

Block sessions and schedules

Chosen apps and sites can be blocked completely during a block session or at scheduled times, and interruptions can be limited to set weekdays and hours.

Browser extension

Adds interruptions and blocking to websites in Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge on Windows, macOS and Linux, under the same account as the phone apps.

Intention and emotion tracking

Prompts ask why you are opening an app or how you feel, alongside journaling and nudges toward alternative activities such as reading or calling a friend.

Progress statistics

Charts and comparisons show how app use has changed and how much time the interruptions have saved.

ScreenZen

Delay before an app opens

A wait is added before a distracting app opens, and it can lengthen with each open. A message of your choice, such as a question to yourself, is shown meanwhile.

Interrupted sessions

Apps can be opened for short periods only, so each session ends with a prompt to decide whether to keep going.

Limits and strict blocks

Set a daily goal per app and optionally block it at the limit. Strict blocks can apply to time ranges, after a number of opens or after a set screen time.

Schedules by day and time

Settings can differ by day of the week and time of day for each app, for example stricter rules during work hours or at bedtime.

Lock mode

Settings can be locked so they cannot be changed on impulse, and the site says lock mode can prevent uninstalling the app.

halo companion device

An optional Bluetooth device, sold separately, that blocks chosen apps while the phone is inside its radius of up to 50 ft, such as a bedroom.

one sec

• Free$0

  The breathing interruption and Re-Intervention for a single app or website, with no ads.

• one sec pro (annual)$19.99

  per year, after a 1-week free trial

  Unlimited apps, other interruption types, website interruptions, block sessions and time tracking. Same price on the US App Store.

• one sec pro (monthly)$3.99

  per month, US price on the vendor's web store

  The same Pro features paid month to month. The US App Store lists its monthly in-app purchase at $6.99.

• one sec pro (lifetime)$99.99

  one-time purchase

  Pro features for a single payment, at the same price on the web store and the US App Store.

• Multi-seat planFrom $9.99

  per seat / year, at 50 or more seats

  Team and school licenses from the web store: $15.99 per seat a year for 4 to 9 seats, $12.99 for 10 to 49 and $9.99 for 50 or more.

• Family Plan$29.99

  per year, US App Store in-app purchase

  Also listed at $9.99 a month or $149 for a lifetime family unlock. The listing does not say how many people it covers.

ScreenZen

• ScreenZen$0

  The complete app: delays, limits, strict blocks, schedules and lock mode. Optional tips of $5 to $40 are listed on the US App Store.

one sec

• Annual discount

  Annual billing costs about 58% less than monthly

  On the web store's US prices, one sec pro is $19.99 billed yearly against $3.99 a month, which comes to $47.88 over twelve months.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime one sec pro for a one-time payment

  The web store and the US App Store both list a lifetime unlock of one sec pro at $99.99, paid once.

• Education

  50% discount for students

  one sec's help center says it offers students a 50% discount on one sec pro. The article does not describe how to claim it.

• Other savings

  Lower per-seat prices from 4 seats

  In the web store the annual US price per seat falls from $19.99 to $15.99 at 4 seats, $12.99 at 10 seats and $9.99 at 50 seats.

ScreenZen

No public discounts listed.