Both serve the same purpose of managing the heat and being a medium between hookah charcoals and tobacco. Aluminum foil is a bit cheaper, and metal screens will have higher prices for obvious reasons, like they are made up of metal. Hookah foil also provides excellent heat management and stability in the foil. You can poke large or small holes as per your needs. While in the metal screens, you will only have the option to make way for the excess amount of smoke and heat. You can not make adjustments to the holes of the metal screens. Overall, you can have both options ready for you, but use foils regularly and keep metal screens for a backup option.