Here’s a curated roundup of the best digital wellbeing apps in 2025, including detailed features, usage tips, and what makes each one stand out:
Top Digital Wellbeing & Screen-Time Management Apps
1. Blank Spaces
- What it does: Simplifies your home screen by removing clutter and distractions.
- Why it’s great: Helps you stay focused by reducing digital overwhelm.
- How to use: Customize your home layout to show only the essentials.
2. Forest
- What it does: Gamifies focus by growing virtual trees as you stay on task—leaving the app kills your tree.
- Why it’s great: Makes concentration fun and rewarding.
- How to use: Set work sessions; if you switch tasks, your tree dies.
3. Opal
- What it does: Tracks and limits usage of specific apps.
- Why it’s great: Enforces self-control—for example, locking out Instagram helps you avoid mindless scrolling.
- How to use: Create time-based "plans" per app; bypassing requires waiting (e.g., 7 seconds) before access—according to one user:
“My favorite is opal!! … you would have to go on the opal app, wait for 7 seconds … I have 1 hour of Instagram a day and haven't been on TikTok for 10 days.”
4. ScreenZen
- What it does: Delays app launches with a customizable pause and message (e.g., “Take a deep breath”).
- Why it’s great: Interrupts impulsive app usage.
- How to use: Set pause durations and invite mindfulness before diving into distracting apps.
5. Brick (Device)
- What it does: A physical block—the Brick—that separates you from your phone. To regain access, you must physically tap your device to the Brick.
- Why it’s great: Makes detaching intentional and physical—not just digital.
- How to use: Define modes (e.g., “Work,” “Home”), assign blocked apps. To unlock, walk back to the Brick and tap. No subscription needed.
6. Touch Grass
- What it does: Requires you to physically touch grass to unlock distracting apps using computer vision.
- Why it’s great: Encourages real-world engagement while breaking phone habits.
- How to use: Open app → start screen time → when locked out, find some grass and the app uses your camera to detect it. (Launching March 14; iOS first, Android later.)
Built-In Tools from Android (for Pixel, Samsung, etc.)
Digital Wellbeing (Google/Android)
A comprehensive native suite:
- Dashboard: Displays your daily app usage, notifications received, and unlocks.
- App Timers: Set daily limits—apps pause when you hit the limit.
- Focus Mode: Pause distracting apps as needed or schedule times.
- Bedtime/Sleep Mode: Transitions your screen to grayscale, silences notifications, and sets DND during sleep. Sometimes labeled "Sleep mode" on Samsung.
- Other features: Flip to Shhh (face-down mutes), notification control, parental controls via Family Link, Chrome website timers, etc.
** How to Use Digital Wellbeing**
- Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- Open Dashboard to review usage metrics.
- Set App Timers: tap the hourglass next to apps.
- Enable Focus Mode, selecting apps and scheduling.
- Use Bedtime/Sleep Mode to wind down at night.
- Optionally, employ Family Link for child screen time management.
Additional Wellbeing & Mental Health Apps
These apps are often more geared toward stress relief, meditation, and sleep rather than active screen-time management—but they complement digital wellbeing nicely.
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Headspace
- Guided meditation, sleep tools, and stress management backed by scientific research and studies.
- Offers mental health coaching and a substantial sleep library. Subscription-based ($12.99/month or ~$70/year) with trial options.
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Wysa, Youper, Calm, Yuna, Sonia, and others
- Conversational AI companions using CBT, ACT, DBT techniques; some offer sleep and mindfulness tools.
- Wysa stands out with hybrid AI-human support and clinical backing.
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Moodfit
- Includes mood tracking, CBT-inspired tools, journaling, breathwork, and lifestyle tracking. Works well alongside therapy.
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Sleepio
- A clinically validated, CBT-based sleep improvement program that rivals in-person methods.
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BetterSleep (formerly Relax Melodies)
- Offers guided meditations, soundscapes, bedtime stories, and breathing exercises for better sleep.
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Mindfulness (Apple Watch)
- Built into watchOS; offers breathing exercises and syncs with the Health app to log mindfulness minutes.
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HeiaHeia
- A social activity tracker: log physical activity, set goals, connect with friends, and stay accountable.
Comparison Table: What Fits Your Needs?
| Your Goal | Best Apps | Why They Work |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce impulsive app usage | Opal, Blank Spaces, ScreenZen | Enforce breaks, simplify UI, or prompt mindfulness |
| Force real-world detachment | Brick, Touch Grass | Physical actions required to unlock phone |
| General monitoring & control | Android Digital Wellbeing | Built-in tools with timers, focus mode, and bedtime settings |
| Support mental health & focus | Headspace, Wysa, Moodfit, Sleepio, BetterSleep | Guided mental tools and therapy-adjacent resources |
| Stay active with accountability | HeiaHeia | Social tracking and goal-driven physical wellness |
Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Plan
- Assess: Install and monitor—Android's dashboard or Blank Spaces/Forest.
- Set Limits: Use app timers or tools like Opal or ScreenZen.
- Create Breaks: Try Brick or Touch Grass to physically separate.
- Support Your Mind: Combine with Headspace, Wysa, Moodfit, or BetterSleep.
- Track Progress: Watch your usage trends and adjust over time.