# Blank Spaces Launcher vs Roots

Blank Spaces Launcher and Roots both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 76% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 27% of Blank Spaces Launcher's. Roots also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). Blank Spaces Launcher's advantage is chart position (#113 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Blank Spaces Launcher sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days 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 — 4.6 for Blank Spaces Launcher against 4.7 for Roots. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8.5K and 3.2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 27% of Blank Spaces Launcher's written reviews are positive against 76% of Roots's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blank Spaces Launcher | Roots |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (8.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blank-spaces-launcher/id1570856853/reviews) | **[4.7 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **8.5K** | 3.2K |
| Positive reviews | 27.2% of reviews | **75.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#113** | — |
| Size | 164 MB | 355 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ecstasis LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1543620595) | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) |

## What reviewers say

### Blank Spaces Launcher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blank-spaces-launcher/id1570856853)

**Currently charting:** #113 Top Grossing · Productivity, #121 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app transforms your smartphone into a minimalist tool by decluttering your home screen. It removes distracting badges and icons, allowing you to focus on essential apps and regain control of your attention. Designed for simplicity and privacy, it helps you use your phone intentionally.

**Highlights:** Simplified home screen widget, Mutes badges and app icons, Focus on essential apps, Intuitive and easy to use, Privacy-focused design, 7-day free trial

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Month | $3.99 | per month |
| 1 Month | $3.99 | per month |
| 1 Month | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $7.99 | per month |
| 12 Months | $17.99 | per year |
| Special Offer (1 Year) | $18.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $24.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Subscription (Reward) | Free | one-time |
| Blank Lifetime Subscription | $11.99 | one-time |
| Blank Lifetime Subscription | $23.99 | one-time |
| Blank Lifetime Subscription | $24.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reduced screen time and digital distractions
- 👍 Minimalist and clean home screen design
- 🔒 Helps with digital detox and focus
- 💡 Useful for college students and those with ADHD
- 👍 Customizable widgets and backgrounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy performance and glitches
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🤔 Confusing setup process
- 🔍 Limited app support and integration
- 🕰️ Slow app opening times

**Reported bugs**

- Widgets not showing up or disappearing
- Inconsistent behavior when adding/removing apps
- Shortcuts not working as expected
- Wallpaper customization issues
- App crashing or freezing during setup

**Requested features**

- Add more supported apps, including default iOS apps
- Allow custom shortcuts without going through Shortcuts app
- Improve widget customization options
- Provide a free or one-time purchase version
- Add ability to rename app labels in widgets


### 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 Blank Spaces Launcher free?

Blank Spaces Launcher 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, Blank Spaces Launcher or Roots?

Roots is rated higher. Blank Spaces Launcher averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8.5K ratings, while Roots averages 4.7 from 3.2K ratings.

### Do Blank Spaces Launcher or Roots have ads?

Neither Blank Spaces Launcher nor Roots shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blank Spaces Launcher or Roots?

Blank Spaces Launcher ships an update every 2 weeks, and Roots every 2 weeks. Most recently, Blank Spaces Launcher was updated on October 27, 2026 and Roots on October 25, 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.*