If you've ever found yourself trapped in a scroll spiral — unlocking your phone "just to check one thing" only to surface 45 minutes later — Zario was built for that exact moment. It's an AI-powered screen time app designed to help you reclaim focus and break the cycle of compulsive phone use, not by locking you out of your device, but by helping you understand and change the habits behind the behavior.^1
What sets Zario apart from typical screen time blockers is its foundation in behavioral science. Developed in collaboration with researchers at institutions including Oxford, Stanford, LSE, and Maastricht University, the app uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and volitional science to address the root causes of excessive scrolling — boredom, loneliness, FOMO — rather than just the symptoms.^2 A study at Maastricht University found that 88.87% of at-risk users saw substantial reductions in problematic smartphone use after using Zario.^3
Practical tools include Focus Schedules for blocking distracting apps during work hours, Quick Block for instant distraction-free sessions, Session Limits that prompt you to set a healthy time cap each time you open a distracting app, and Strict Mode — an accountability feature that makes it impossible to exceed your own goals or delete the app without either reasoning with Zario's AI chat or paying a small accountability fee.^1 The built-in AI coach learns your impulses and formulates personalized strategies to help you stay committed.
Why Users Love It"I feel Zario is the best app to reduce screen time! I've tried a lot of apps like Opal, OneSec or ScreenZen but none was as effective as this one." — @ruas93^1
"Zario helped me be more focused and limit bad app usage!" — Alissa^4
"I never thought changing my bad social media habits could be so easy." — Mark^4
Notable- Won the EU-Startups Summit 2023 Pitch Competition, beating out 1,300 applicants^5
- Co-founded by Killian Fjellbakk Chiao (Forbes 30 Under 30 DACH) and Ondřej Žák, both based in Zurich, Switzerland^6
- Named #1 App of the Day on Product Hunt and voted Best Mobile Apps for Good on Google Play^4
- Featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, PCWorld, Macworld, and The Indian Express^1
- Backed by research from Maastricht University confirming its effectiveness^3
