Comparison
Deadbolt vs ScreenZen
The excellent free option — built around a pause, not a hard lock. Here’s how it stacks up against Deadbolt — honestly, including where ScreenZen is the better pick.
| Feature | Deadbolt | ScreenZen |
|---|---|---|
| Hard blocking (not just a nudge) | ✓ | ~ |
| Scheduled auto-blocks | ✓ | ✓ |
| On-device via Apple Screen Time | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deliberate emergency exit | ✓ | ~ |
| Walk-to-unlock (physical steps) | ✓ | — |
| No account required | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | Free · $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr | Free |
✓ full · ~ partial / different model · — none. Competitor details from public reviews & App Store listings (2026) and can change — always check the latest.
Where ScreenZen shines
- Completely free, every feature, no paywall
- The pause-before-open model is gentle and effective for many
- Per-day rules and daily limits
- Huge, loyal user base and strong ratings
Where Deadbolt wins
- Deadbolt hard-locks — ScreenZen leans on a pause you can push through
- Strict Mode + walk-to-unlock make Deadbolt far harder to bypass
- Deadbolt’s cinematic lock + stats are more of a "commit" experience
Which should you choose?
Pick ScreenZen if: You want a free tool and a gentle pause is enough to break your habit. It’s a genuinely great free app — if a pause works for you, use it.
Pick Deadbolt if: you’ve bypassed every other blocker and want one that’s genuinely hard to cheat — strict sessions, a cooldown, and a 200-step walk-to-unlock — with no account and a free tier to start.
ScreenZen details from public reviews and its App Store listing (2026); features change, so check the latest before deciding.
More comparisons
Take back your attention.
Free to start. Bolt your first distraction in under a minute.