ScreenZen
ScreenZen is a free, donation-supported digital wellbeing app across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows that blocks distracting apps and websites. The company also sells a $49 Bluetooth device called Halo for proximity-based automated app blocking.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersSonoma, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What ScreenZen does
ScreenZen is a digital wellbeing application designed to help individual consumers block or limit distracting apps and websites across iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows devices. Core functionality includes selective app and website blocking, scheduled focus windows, usage limits, countdown-based unlock delays, prompts such as "what are you seeking?", and a Lock Mode that defends against common circumvention techniques including uninstall and device time changes. The platform also offers optional friend-based social accountability and streak tracking, and integrates with a Bluetooth companion device called Halo that automatically triggers blocking when the user enters a configurable physical radius of up to 50 feet.
ScreenZen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ScreenZen
- Legal name
- ScreenZen LLC
- Website
- https://screenzen.co
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ScreenZen is a free, donation-supported digital wellbeing app across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows that blocks distracting apps and websites. The company also sells a $49 Bluetooth device called Halo for proximity-based automated app blocking.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ScreenZen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Wellbeing Software
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parental Controls, Content Filtering & Family Digital Safety for Smart Homes (HSAHAJAG)
Keywords
Where ScreenZen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sonoma
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ScreenZen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Donation Support: ScreenZen app is completely free to use. Users can optionally support the project with small donations if they wish to help it grow.
- Halo Hardware Sales: Halo companion device sold as one-time purchase ($49/unit, $88.20 for 2 units with 10% discount). Provides proximity-based app blocking functionality that works with the free ScreenZen app.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Core App - Complete screen time control features |
| Unit Pricing | Others | Halo Device - Single unit |
| Unit Pricing | Others | Halo Device - Two units bundle |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
ScreenZen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ScreenZen provides a free, donation-supported cross-platform screen time management app for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows that blocks distracting apps and websites through configurable limits, unlock delays, prompts, schedules, and Lock Mode to prevent circumvention. The company also sells the Halo Bluetooth companion device, which automatically triggers app blocking when a user enters a defined physical radius (up to 50 feet) such as a bedroom or desk, extending digital controls into physical spaces.
Product overview
ScreenZen offers a dual-component product strategy: a free, donation-supported screen time management application (ScreenZen) available across iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android, paired with an optional $49 hardware device (halo) that extends app-blocking capabilities into physical spaces. The ScreenZen app serves as the core platform, providing customizable app/website blocking, prompts, usage limits, and scheduling features, while the halo device acts as a location-aware trigger that automatically activates blocking when users enter a designated area such as their bedroom or desk.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Halo: A companion device placed in bedrooms, desks, or shared areas to automatically block distracting apps when entering proximity. Priced at $49, works with the ScreenZen app to provide hands-free distraction blocking.
Products and services
- ScreenZen Screen Time Control App Free, donation-supported cross-platform screen time control app for iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android that blocks distracting apps and websites through customizable limits, unlock countdown delays, prompts, schedules, Lock Mode, social accountability, and streak tracking to help individual users reduce mindless scrolling and reclaim time.
- Halo Companion Device Bluetooth companion device sold directly by ScreenZen for $49 per unit ($88.20 for two units with a 10% discount) that automatically blocks distracting apps on the user's phone when they enter its configurable proximity radius (up to 50 ft), enabling hands-free, location-aware distraction blocking for areas such as bedrooms, desks, or shared spaces. Works in conjunction with the free ScreenZen app. Currently available for US shipping only.
Quantifiable outcome
- Users report taking back ~3 hours of screen time per day on average
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use ScreenZen
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ScreenZen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ScreenZen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Google FirebasecoreScreenZen uses Google Firebase and cloud storage for social accountability features and Halo device registration. Stores email, username, profile pictures, aggregate screen time data, app usage statistics, streaks, and friend information. Data resides in Firebase infrastructure.
- ShopifycoreShopify provides checkout infrastructure for Halo device purchases. Handles shipping, billing, payment, and contact information during purchase flow. Order information stored in Shopify and accessed by ScreenZen for fulfillment and support.
- ApplecoreScreenZen iOS app distributed through Apple App Store. Apple ID authentication used for optional account creation and social accountability features.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ScreenZen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Freedom: Freedom is an established cross-device app and website blocker serving individual users who want to limit distractions. Its multi-platform support and session-based blocking directly overlap with ScreenZen's core value proposition.
- One Sec: One Sec introduces friction before opening distracting apps by forcing a pause and breathing exercise. It competes directly with ScreenZen's unlock-delay and prompt features on the same behavioral mechanism.
- Forest: Forest helps users stay focused by growing virtual trees during focus sessions, addressing the same digital wellbeing and screen reduction use case as ScreenZen, though via a different gamification mechanism.
- Cold Turkey: Cold Turkey offers strict app and website blocking across desktop and mobile, with emphasis on hard-to-bypass enforcement similar to ScreenZen's Lock Mode. It is a long-standing competitor in the focus and blocking category.
- Brick: Brick is a screen time and app-blocking app targeting iOS users who want to reduce social media use. Its focus on configurable blocking and usage limits closely mirrors ScreenZen's core feature set.
- Jomo: Jomo provides screen time management and app-blocking features aimed at helping users reduce phone usage. Its positioning around digital wellbeing and habit change is directly comparable to ScreenZen's offering.
- Opal: Opal is a direct competitor offering screen time control and app blocking across iOS and Android with focus session features and a freemium model. It targets the same individual consumer use case as ScreenZen with comparable UX-driven differentiation.
- RescueTime: RescueTime provides automatic time tracking, focus sessions, and productivity reports across devices. While more analytics-oriented, it competes for the same digital wellbeing and productivity-minded user segment as ScreenZen.
Broad incumbents
- Apple Screen Time: Apple Screen Time is a free, built-in iOS and macOS feature that provides app limits, downtime, and content restrictions. As a pre-installed competitor with overlapping functionality, it is the most significant incumbent in ScreenZen's category.
- Google Digital Wellbeing: Google Digital Wellbeing is a free, built-in Android feature that includes Focus Mode, app timers, and Bedtime mode. It directly competes with ScreenZen on Android and constrains paid screen-time app adoption.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ScreenZen social profiles
Digital presenceScreenZen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ScreenZen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ScreenZen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ScreenZen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ScreenZen
What does ScreenZen do?
ScreenZen provides a free, donation-supported cross-platform screen time management app for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows that blocks distracting apps and websites through configurable limits, unlock delays, prompts, schedules, and Lock Mode to prevent circumvention. The company also sells the Halo Bluetooth companion device, which automatically triggers app blocking when a user enters a defined physical radius (up to 50 feet) such as a bedroom or desk, extending digital controls into physical spaces.
Is ScreenZen a public or private company?
ScreenZen is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ScreenZen founded?
ScreenZen was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ScreenZen based?
ScreenZen is headquartered in Sonoma, United States, in the North America region.
How does ScreenZen make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donation Support is the primary driver. The others are halo Hardware Sales.
Who are ScreenZen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Freedom, One Sec, Forest, Cold Turkey, Brick, Jomo, Opal and RescueTime. Broad incumbents are Apple Screen Time and Google Digital Wellbeing.
Does ScreenZen have an API?
No public API is recorded for ScreenZen.
What industry is ScreenZen in?
ScreenZen's product category is Digital Wellbeing Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAHAJAG, Parental Controls, Content Filtering & Family Digital Safety for Smart Homes.