Comparison

Focusing vs Roots

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Focusing

This tool helps you avoid phone distractions and cultivate an efficient lifestyle. Select an image, start a focus session, and watch virtual grass grow as you concentrate. If you use your phone during a session, it will end automatically.

Highlights
  • Virtual grass growth visualization
  • Focus session timer
  • Automatic session termination on phone use
  • Customizable focus images
  • Develops efficient lifestyle habits
Features
Read full description

Focusing is a learning and working tool that can help you stay away from your mobile phone and stay focused, and develop an efficient lifestyle -Choose an image you like -When you want to concentrate on things, just tap "Start Focus" -Grass grows from the head during the concentration period, the longer the concentration, the higher the level of the grass If you can't help playing with your phone during this period, you will automatically end your concentration! Terms of Use:https://focus.quthing.com/member Terms of Service:https://focus.quthing.com/user Privacy Policy:https://focus.quthing.com/privacy

About

Roots

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by setting app limits, scheduling downtime, and participating in detox challenges. It provides insights into your screen time habits and offers features like 'Monk Mode' for focused periods. Aimed at improving well-being and reducing phone addiction.

Highlights
  • App and website blocking
  • Scheduled downtime
  • Phone detox challenges
  • Monk Mode for strict blocking
  • Digital dopamine monitoring
  • Daily goals and progress tracking
  • Personal balance score
Features
Read full description

Roots is the #1 screen time app. Set boundaries with your phone, and unlock more time.  Screen time has a major impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. We're here to help — with better app limits, digital downtime, daily goals, balance score, and more. Join thousands of people using Roots to build a better relationship with their phone. WHAT TO EXPECT - Better screen time management - Unlock 2 hours per day - Stop scrolling mindlessly - Cure your phone addiction - Detox from phone dopamine - Find better balance - Be more present - Stay focused BLOCK NOW - Start blocking apps at any time with one tap BETTER APP LIMITS - Block any app or website based on time limits or number of opens SCHEDULE DOWNTIME - Be intentional with "mindful mornings", "evening wind down", and more PHONE DETOX CHALLENGES - Personalized challenges to compete with yourself and friends - Challenges with neuroscientist and Roots Chief Science Officer, Tj Power BLOCK WITH "MONK MODE" - App blocking that doesn't let you unblock until tomorrow MONITOR DIGITAL DOPAMINE - Not all screen time is equal, so we help you understand the impact of each app DAILY GOALS - Set goals for screen time and phone pickups, and track your daily progress PERSONAL BALANCE SCORE - Daily score helps keep you accountable with beautiful illustrations and visuals SCREEN TIME TRENDS - View the progress and trends of your screen time journey BUILD A STREAK - Build a streak as you stay under limits, earn cheat days and custom app icons BLOCK ADULT WEBSITES - Keep yourself off adult websites once and for all DON’T JUST TAKE IT FROM US "We’re all guilty of being obsessed with our phones. Roots helps you break free." -- Tj Power, Neuroscientist and Author “It's beautiful, and it works” -- Jameston78 “This app does what it says” -- Casper-F “Worth every penny” -- Thehikingfool PRIVACY GUARANTEED We use Apple’s Screen Time API so all of your phone usage data stays on your phone. TERMS & CONDITIONS - Auto-Renewing Subscription Options: Roots Plus (Monthly or Annual) - Terms: https://www.getroots.app/terms - Privacy Policy: https://www.getroots.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Focusing4 screens
Roots4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Roots at 4.8 against Focusing's 4.4. Roots also leads on ratings volume (2.7K vs 58) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Focusing's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 75%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Focusing sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Roots holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.7K ratings behind it against 58, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 90% of Focusing's written reviews are positive against 75% of Roots's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focusing ships an update every 2 months, Roots every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Focusing versus Roots: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusingRoots
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (58 ratings)4.8 (2.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews — better75.5% of reviews
Number of ratings582.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS10.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB355 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer晨铭 李MWM

Customer experience

Focusing

All ratings58 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral3.4%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative4.8%

Roots

All ratings2,736 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews367 reviews
Positive75.5%
Neutral5.2%
Negative19.3%

Bugs and requests

Focusing

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Roots

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Apps getting blocked when they shouldn't be
  • Screen time data not syncing correctly
  • Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • Subscription issues and inability to cancel
  • Trouble with the initial setup and syncing

Requested features

5 requests
  • Home screen and lock screen widgets
  • Customizable challenges and ability to share with friends
  • More options for the 'Do Not Disturb' mode
  • Improved analytics and progress tracking
  • Ability to easily adjust app limits without resetting

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Focusing

Subscriptions3
  • 连续包月会员1 Month trial$1.491 Month
  • 连续包季会员$3.993 Months
  • 连续包年会员$14.991 Year
One-time2
  • 六十颗种子$0.99
  • 三百颗种子$4.99
17 purchases

Roots

Subscriptions17
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Premium$7.997 Days
  • Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 14 more
  • Roots - Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
  • Roots - Monthly Plan$19.991 Month
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan$29.991 Year
  • Premium$39.991 Year
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Premium Pass$59.991 Year
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Premium1 Month trial$69.991 Year
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan$79.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass1 Month trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Focusing free?
Focusing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Focusing or Roots?
Roots is rated higher. Focusing averages 4.4 out of 5 from 58 ratings, while Roots averages 4.8 from 2.7K ratings.
Do Focusing or Roots have ads?
Neither Focusing nor Roots shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focusing or Roots?
Focusing ships an update every 2 months, and Roots every 3 weeks. Most recently, Focusing was updated on October 2, 2026 and Roots on October 1, 2026.

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