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Head-to-head · Screen Time Management Apps

ScreenZen vs StayFree

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ScreenZen #2 in Screen Time Management Apps 4.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit ScreenZen
StayFree #6 in Screen Time Management Apps —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit StayFree

ScreenZen leads on 0 checks, StayFree on 4, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreScreenZen · 4.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresStayFree · 4 of 4

Our editors rank ScreenZen at #2 and StayFree at #6 for screen time management apps; StayFree has no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.

StayFree offers usage reports; ScreenZen doesn't publish it. StayFree offers application limits; ScreenZen doesn't publish it. StayFree offers scheduled limits; ScreenZen doesn't publish it. StayFree offers focus sessions; ScreenZen doesn't publish it.

ScreenZen is the better fit for free, broad screen-time controls. StayFree is the better fit for free cross-platform usage tracking and limits.

  • ScreenZen fits best

    Free, broad screen-time controls

  • StayFree fits best

    Free cross-platform usage tracking and limits

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ScreenZen 4.8/10 Visit ↗ StayFree —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 4.8 —
Ranking #2 in Screen Time Management Apps #6 in Screen Time Management Apps
Best for Free, broad screen-time controls Free cross-platform usage tracking and limits
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Community Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features ScreenZen 0/4 · StayFree 4/4
Usage reports Not published ✓ (best)
Application limits Not published ✓ (best)
Scheduled limits Not published ✓ (best)
Focus sessions Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Devices included Not published Not published
Supported platforms Not published Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Wear OS
Usage history retention Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Combines blocking, schedules, limits, delays, and tracking
  • Lock mode makes limits harder to bypass
  • Covers web, desktop, mobile, browsers, and Wear OS
  • Combines usage charts, limits, blocking, and scheduled focus mode
  • Supports synchronization, overuse reminders, sleep mode, and CSV export
Cons
  • No browser-extension support
  • No AI features
  • Halo hardware is separate from the core app
  • CSV is the listed format for usage-data exports
  • Controls focus on apps and websites rather than broader device management
  • Managing coverage across platforms may require multiple apps or extensions
Our verdict

ScreenZen is a free digital-wellbeing app for people who want to reduce distracting screen time, improve focus, or create phone-free periods. It blocks selected apps and websites, supports daily limits and usage goals, and can pause or…

Read the review →

StayFree is a screen time management app for people who want to understand and reduce device usage across phones, computers, browsers, and Wear OS. It records app and website activity, presents usage history through charts and statistics,…

Read the review →
  1. ScreenZenScreen Time Management Apps 4.8Free plan
  2. StayFreeScreen Time Management Apps —Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ScreenZen — where it wins

    • Covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
    • Combines blocking, schedules, limits, delays, and tracking
    • Lock mode makes limits harder to bypass

    Where it doesn't

    • No browser-extension support
    • No AI features
    • Halo hardware is separate from the core app
  • StayFree — where it wins

    • Covers web, desktop, mobile, browsers, and Wear OS
    • Combines usage charts, limits, blocking, and scheduled focus mode
    • Supports synchronization, overuse reminders, sleep mode, and CSV export

    Where it doesn't

    • CSV is the listed format for usage-data exports
    • Controls focus on apps and websites rather than broader device management
    • Managing coverage across platforms may require multiple apps or extensions

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026