Comparison

Roots vs Unhook

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

Head to head
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

About

Unhook

Features
Read full description

Break free from autopilot. Build the life you actually want. Unhook is your all-in-one behavior tracking app — built to help you stop bad habits, build good ones, and take full control of your actions, impulses, and routines. Whether you’re trying to quit social media, reduce alcohol, limit caffeine, stop emotional eating, or simply be more mindful — Unhook gives you the tools to stay aware, reflect deeply, and create lasting behavior change. We don’t believe in punishment, streak anxiety, or rigid tracking. Instead, Unhook is about awareness, moderation, and growth. You define what progress means — and we help you get there. Top reasons people use Unhook: • Track bad habits and reduce their frequency with flexible goals • Build positive habits that align with your values • Set behavioral limits like “no more than 2x per week” • Log your impulses with rich context: Was it emotional? Stress-related? • Reflect on every action, not just track it • Break addictive loops like doomscrolling or binge eating • Stay mindful with smart reminders and check-ins • Visualize your journey through logs, timelines, and feedback • Celebrate wins and feel proud of your progress How it works: 1. Choose a behavior — anything from “Reduce Junk Food” to “Go Outside More” 2. Set your intention — Do you want to do it more, or less? How often? 3. Track each moment — Add logs with emotion, reason, and reflection 4. Get insights — See your behavior over time. Understand triggers. 5. Reclaim control — Start choosing, instead of reacting. Unhook helps you identify triggers, patterns, and behavior loops. You don’t just see what you did — you understand why. That’s the foundation for deep, meaningful change. Whether your goal is to stop nail biting, cut down on caffeine, meditate daily, or build a healthier relationship with social media — Unhook gives you the tools, structure, and motivation to follow through. Start small. Reflect often. Grow steadily. Unhook is not about perfection. It’s about progress. Download Unhook and take the first step toward conscious behavior change. Break bad habits, track progress, and build a better you — one choice at a time.

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
Unhook4 screens

Verdict

The call

Roots and Unhook are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Unhook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Roots versus Unhook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootsUnhook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.017.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size379 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMAlexandr Kuziaev

Bugs and requests

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

Unhook

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

17 purchases

Roots

Subscriptions17
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Premium$7.997 Days
  • Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 14 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
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass1 Month trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$99.991 Year
1 purchases

Unhook

One-time1
  • Unhook Pro: One-time$5.99

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Unhook free?
Unhook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Roots or Unhook have ads?
Neither Roots nor Unhook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Roots or Unhook?
Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Unhook every 3 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 22, 2026 and Unhook on September 18, 2026.

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