# ScreenZen

10 Hacker News commenters recommended ScreenZen and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Praised for cutting distracting apps and short-form video, with a free version and one-time tip for full access. Critics call it buggy and say it does not block social media.

## Why people recommend it

- Limits screen time on distracting apps (3 comments): "You could try ScreenZen or a similar app that help control nd reduce the time you spend on certain apps." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48883791)) "they really helped limit my screen time and I've been able to transition away from having to use them" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48363162)) "It rations distracting apps and retrains you to use your phone as a functional device again." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45868457))
- Breaks the scrolling habit (2 comments): "The short sessions being cut in the middle help me stay informed but break the addictive nature of socials/news." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50315614)) "It's exceedingly effective at breaking the loop by forcing you to do a tiny task first" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48366613))
- Blocks short-form content, keeps social parts (2 comments): "The short sessions being cut in the middle help me stay informed but break the addictive nature of socials/news." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50315614)) "it can block specifically short form content so you can stick to the actual social parts" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47230935))
- Recommended among similar apps (3 comments): "You could try ScreenZen or a similar app that help control nd reduce the time you spend on certain apps." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48883791)) "ScreenZen is another good one" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48363431)) "ScreenZen is great at this." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49543603))

## What people warn about

- Does not fully stop social media use (1 comments): "it works a little, but it will not fully prevent you from using any social media, still" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48369161))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Dull](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dull.md): 14 recommend
- [One Sec](https://hackerapproved.com/p/one-sec.md): 11 recommend
- [UnTrap for YouTube](https://hackerapproved.com/p/untrap.md): 9 recommend
- [LeechBlock NG](https://hackerapproved.com/p/leechblock.md): 7 recommend
- [SelfControl](https://hackerapproved.com/p/selfcontrol.md): 6 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "ScreenZen", https://hackerapproved.com/p/screenzen/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).