Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Roots

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

Head to head
About

one sec | screen time + focus

This app introduces intentional friction to distracting apps and websites, helping users reduce screen time and improve focus. It delays access rather than blocking, promoting long-term behavioral change. Integrates with other apps for enhanced productivity.

Highlights
  • Adds friction to distracting apps
  • Delays app access instead of blocking
  • Reduces app usage significantly
  • Doom Scroll Emergency Brake (Re-Intervention)
  • Free Safari extension for websites
  • Integrates with other productivity apps
Features
Read full description

Willpower is not enough against social media algorithms! That’s why I made one sec: one sec adds friction to distracting apps to make them less appealing…long-term! This principle works really well: we have gained scientific evidence in numerous research studies with the Max-Planck Institute, with the German and Danish government, and in dozens more scientific collaborations: one sec has incredible effects on your screen time: app usage drops by 57% on average! …just read our App Store reviews or try it for yourself if you don’t believe me (…you should really try it)! How is one sec different from Screen Time limits or app blockers? - one sec DELAYS access to distracting apps instead of blocking apps completely – that’s an important difference psychologically. - This way, we solve the screen time problem at its roots: long-term & sustainably! - one sec is always on, and makes using social media just slightly more annoying…so you’ll end up using it only when you actually have a reason! Which apps can I use with one sec? - You can set up one sec with any app you’d like to use less / more intentional. - Most popular use-cases are: social media, games, video streaming, dating, stock/coin trading, adult content. - Using one sec with one app of your choice if completely free, for more you’ll need to purchase one sec pro (we also need to finance development of our app!). What if I get stuck scrolling? - No worries, one sec offers a Doom Scroll Emergency Brake: We call it Re-Intervention. - After a set time (e.g. 5 minutes) you’ll be kicked out of social media, and you’ll have to go through an intervention again to unlock more time. Where can I learn more about the scientific background of one sec? → https://one-sec.app/research Can I use one sec to interrupt access to websites as well? → Yes, one sec offers a free Safari extension as well. How does one sec work technically? - one sec uses Shortcuts Automation to toggle a deep breath animation whenever you open one of the configured apps (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube…). - This breaks unconscious social media habits short-term (literally, as soon as you have set it up) and even helps long-term by adding more friction when opening these apps. Integrations: - Structured: one sec blocks apps during unfinished tasks. - LENGO: learn vocabulary to unlock social media. I developed one sec for myself in 2020…and it worked so well I decided to upload it to the App Store. Especially for people with ADHD one sec is a great tool to gain back control for incredible focus and concentration. – Frederik Legal information: Available Subscription Options: one sec pro (annual / monthly / lifetime unlock) one sec can contribute mindful moments to the Health App via HealthKit. one sec is covered by U.S. Patent 12,468,828 B2. Terms (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://one-sec.app/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

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Roots4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: one sec | screen time + focus at 24K against Roots's 3.1K. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. one sec | screen time + focus sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Roots sells 18 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for one sec | screen time + focus against 4.7 for Roots. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 3.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 76% and 76% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Roots: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusRoots
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.7 (3.1K ratings)
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews — better75.6% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better3.1K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size367 MB355 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.MWM

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,626 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,624 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral9.4%
Negative14.8%

Roots

All ratings2,867 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews369 reviews
Positive75.6%
Neutral5.1%
Negative19.2%

User reviews

one sec | screen time + focus

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Saves time
  • 👍 Helps reduce screen time
  • 💡 Customizable interventions
  • 👍 Effective at curbing habits
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy at times
  • 💰 Premium features behind paywall
  • 🔒 Concerns about privacy/data collection
  • 🔒 Inability to fully disable the app
  • 🐛 Inconsistent behavior across apps

Roots

From 3.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful for reducing screen time
  • 🚀 Effective in cutting down app usage
  • 💡 Customizable app blocking and downtime settings
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 👍 Responsive customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional performance issues and bugs
  • 🐛 Inconsistent app blocking and unblocking
  • 🐛 Inaccurate screen time tracking
  • 🐛 Difficulty deleting account or changing subscription
  • 🐛 Frustrating when apps are locked unexpectedly

Bugs and requests

one sec | screen time + focus

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App switching issues
  • Interventions not triggering properly
  • Inconsistent behavior with shortcuts
  • Crashes and freezes on certain devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to block more apps for free
  • Customizable intervention timers
  • Scheduled app blocking/access
  • Passcode protection for settings
  • Sync settings across devices
Show 1 more
  • More intervention types (e.g. games)

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

6 purchases

one sec | screen time + focus

Subscriptions4
  • one sec pro (1 Month)$6.991 Month
  • one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Month)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • one sec pro (1 Year)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • one sec pro | Lifetime$99.99
  • one sec pro | Family Lifetime$149.00
18 purchases

Roots

Subscriptions18
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Premium$7.997 Days
  • Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 15 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
  • Premium Pass1 Year trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass1 Month trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus 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, one sec | screen time + focus or Roots?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Roots averages 4.7 from 3.1K ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Roots have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Roots shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Roots?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Roots every 2 weeks. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 20, 2026 and Roots on October 20, 2026.

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