# Roots vs Superhappy Screen Time Blocker

The clearest difference is ads: Roots at none against Superhappy Screen Time Blocker's shown. Roots also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 62%) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 280). Superhappy Screen Time Blocker's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Superhappy Screen Time Blocker sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Roots holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.6K ratings behind it against 280, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 62% of Superhappy Screen Time Blocker's.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Superhappy Screen Time Blocker fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Superhappy Screen Time Blocker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [4.6 (280 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/superhappy-screen-time-blocker/id6479611902/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 280 |
| Positive reviews | **75.4% of reviews** | 62.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 379 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Razzed, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1736539086) |

## 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 (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


### Superhappy Screen Time Blocker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/superhappy-screen-time-blocker/id6479611902)

This app uses AI and mindfulness techniques to help you reduce screen time. It offers features like app blocking, intentional conversations with an AI coach, and time limits to promote digital detox and focus.

**Highlights:** AI coach for mindful app unlocking, Block distracting apps and websites, Set time limits with automatic lockout, Digital detox and dopamine reset, Customizable app blocking sessions, Track screen time limits and streaks

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Superhappy Pro Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Superhappy Pro Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Superhappy Pro Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Superhappy Pro Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Superhappy Pro Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Superhappy Pro Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Superhappy Pro Annual | $74.99 | per year |
| Superhappy Pro Annual | $74.99 | per year |
| Superhappy Pro Annual | $74.99 | per year |
| Superhappy Pro Annual | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🧠 AI coach effectively reduces mindless app usage
- 💪 Significant screen time reduction for users
- 🎯 Requires justification before unlocking apps
- 🤖 Meaningful AI conversations and suggestions
- ✨ Helps break social media addiction habits

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription pricing ($75-99/year)
- 🚫 Misleading 'free' app advertising
- ⚠️ Only one app blocked without premium
- 🔄 Requires daily app opening to maintain blocks
- 📊 Inaccurate usage tracking and statistics

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes when attempting to unlock
- Blocking stops working if app not opened daily
- AI agent fails and crashes
- Cannot add multiple blocks with paid account
- Automatic blocking feature malfunctions

**Requested features**

- Background blocking without daily app check-in
- Multiple app blocking in free version
- Mac/desktop version support
- Revert changes option for AI customization
- Conditional blocking (e.g., chess app frustration management)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Superhappy Screen Time Blocker free?

Superhappy Screen Time Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Roots or Superhappy Screen Time Blocker?

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Superhappy Screen Time Blocker averages 4.6 from 280 ratings.

### Do Roots or Superhappy Screen Time Blocker have ads?

Superhappy Screen Time Blocker shows ads; Roots does not.

### Which is updated more often, Roots or Superhappy Screen Time Blocker?

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Superhappy Screen Time Blocker fortnightly. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 25, 2026 and Superhappy Screen Time Blocker on September 21, 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.*