# Roots vs Monk Mode

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Roots at 2.9K against Monk Mode's 6. Monk Mode's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 76%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Monk Mode sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Monk Mode holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.9K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 100% of Monk Mode's.

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, Monk Mode every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Monk Mode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monk-mode-screen-time-control/id6478087947/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 75.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 355 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.4** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Red Eye Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/1731738238) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Monk Mode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monk-mode-screen-time-control/id6478087947)

Regain control of your attention with this productivity tool that combines a minimalist phone mode with app and website blocking. Designed to combat digital distractions and enhance concentration, it helps users achieve focused work sessions.

**Highlights:** Minimalist phone mode, App blocker, Website blocker, Distraction control, Focus enhancement, 3-day free trial

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Quarterly Premium Subscription | $9.99 | per 3 months |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Minimal Phone Feature | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Membership | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bundle & Save | $14.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Monk Mode free?

Monk Mode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Roots or Monk Mode?

Monk Mode is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Monk Mode averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do Roots or Monk Mode have ads?

Neither Roots nor Monk Mode shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Roots or Monk Mode?

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, and Monk Mode every 3 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on October 14, 2026 and Monk Mode on October 3, 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.*