# one sec | screen time + focus vs Roots

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | one sec | screen time + focus | Roots |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-sec-screen-time-plus-focus/id1532875441/reviews)** | [4.7 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24K** | 3.1K |
| Positive reviews | **75.8% of reviews** | 75.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 349 MB | 355 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [riedel.wtf apps S.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/517545753) | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) |

## What reviewers say

### one sec | screen time + focus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-sec-screen-time-plus-focus/id1532875441)

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:** Safari Extension, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| one sec pro (1 Month) | $6.99 | per month |
| one sec pro \| Family Plan (1 Month) | $9.99 | per month |
| one sec pro (1 Year) | $19.99 | per year |
| one sec pro \| Family Plan (1 Year) | $29.99 | per year |
| one sec pro \| Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |
| one sec pro \| Family Lifetime | $149.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Ability to block more apps for free
- Customizable intervention timers
- Scheduled app blocking/access
- Passcode protection for settings
- Sync settings across devices


### Roots

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Roots Plus - Monthly Plan | $6.99 | per month |
| Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Roots Plus - Weekly Plan | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Roots - Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Roots Plus - Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Roots - Monthly Plan | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium Pass | $19.99 | per month |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $59.99 | per year |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Premium | $69.99 | per year |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $99.99 | per year |
| Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $99.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*