# ClearSpace vs Roots

The clearest difference is ads: Roots at none against ClearSpace's shown. ClearSpace's advantage is ratings volume (8.8K vs 2.6K) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ClearSpace sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for ClearSpace against 4.8 for Roots. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8.8K and 2.6K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of ClearSpace's written reviews are positive against 75% of Roots's.

ClearSpace ships an update every 2 weeks, Roots every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ClearSpace | Roots |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (8.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clearspace-reduce-screen-time/id1572515807/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **8.8K** | 2.6K |
| Positive reviews | 69.5% of reviews | **75.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 80 MB | 379 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [clearspace](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653276930) | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) |

## What reviewers say

### ClearSpace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clearspace-reduce-screen-time/id1572515807)

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by making your device less addictive. It offers tools to block distractions, manage app time, and build better digital habits. Achieve greater focus, productivity, and mental well-being by reducing impulse opens and doomscrolling.

**Highlights:** Block and limit distracting apps, Manage social media doomscrolling, Set schedules for app usage, Build better digital habits, Engage in attention-building challenges, Minimalist and straightforward design, Accountability partners for goals, Detailed screen time reporting

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ClearSpace Premium (Monthly) | $6.99 | per month |
| Clearspace Premium Student | $9.99 | per year |
| ClearSpace Premium (Annual) | $44.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $44.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $59.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium Family | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 🚀 Effective at limiting app usage
- 💡 Breathing exercise and quotes are helpful
- 🤖 Tracks app usage well
- 🤔 Makes users more mindful about phone usage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and laggy performance
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔓 Allows bypassing restrictions
- 🤖 Limited to one app in free version
- 🤔 Breathing exercise can be annoying

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when trying to block apps
- Notification issues and UI glitches
- Inconsistent tracking of app usage
- Problems with phone number verification

**Requested features**

- Allow blocking multiple apps in free version
- Add more exercise options beyond just breathing
- Provide more customization options
- Integrate with other fitness/health tracking apps
- Improve website/app blocking capabilities


### 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 (17)**

| 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 | $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 ClearSpace free?

ClearSpace 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, ClearSpace or Roots?

Roots is rated higher. ClearSpace averages 4.7 out of 5 from 8.8K ratings, while Roots averages 4.8 from 2.6K ratings.

### Do ClearSpace or Roots have ads?

ClearSpace shows ads; Roots does not.

### Which is updated more often, ClearSpace or Roots?

ClearSpace ships an update every 2 weeks, and Roots every 3 weeks. Most recently, ClearSpace was updated on September 25, 2026 and Roots on September 22, 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.*