Roots vs Tap Out
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Tap Out
This app helps you reduce phone distractions by physically blocking access to selected apps. It requires a special NFC 'Tap Out Point' to activate and deactivate the blocking, encouraging users to focus on real-life activities.
- Select apps to block
- Activate blocking via NFC tap
- Physical friction for distraction reduction
- Customizable app blocking
- Privacy-focused data handling
- One-time purchase model
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Meet Tap Out, the physical barrier for your distracting apps. We, as founders of Tap Out, were constantly distracted by our phones. Instead of doing deep work, exploring nature, or simply getting a good night's sleep - our phones kept us from being focused and fully present. The physical friction that's created by having the 'Key' to distracting apps in another room, has truly been a game changer for us. We believe it can help many others. How it works 1. Select apps to block: Choose the apps that tend to distract you the most. 2. Tap out: Activate the shield by long pressing the button, or tapping your phone against the custom-built NFC tap point. 3. Dive into life: The selected apps remain blocked until you tap the NFC point again. Important: You need a Tap Out Point to use Tap Out's functionalities. What our users say: "I'm using my phone so much less. Seriously, the physical distance is a game-changer." "I really like it that I can only Tap In once I get home from work." "I had dinner with my mom without checking my phone once. My mom wants one too." Perfect for any Setting - Dinner with friends: Enjoy quality time without interruptions from DMs or notifications. - Focus during work or study: Improve concentration by blocking distracting apps. - Better sleep routine: Avoid endless scrolling before bed and right after waking up. - Beach day: Relax and enjoy without the urge to constantly check social media. Built with Empathy - Privacy first: We don’t store any of your data. Your privacy is our priority. - Pay once: A single purchase of the Tap Out Point grants you lifetime ownership of our service with no hidden costs. - Easy to use: Simple setup and intuitive interface. - Proven effectiveness: Tested and loved by users who have experienced better focus and productivity. What our users say: "I really like it that I can only Tap In once I get home from work." "I had dinner with my mom without checking my phone once. My mom wants one too." "The physical barrier actually worked and made it harder for me to use my phone." Want to join the community? Download Tap Out, block your distractions, and dive deeper into life. Privacy policy: https://www.notion.so/tobiasvansabben/Privacy-policy-8e17b132ad9b4a27b5370994d6ec9517?pvs=4
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tap Out at none against Roots's 17. Tap Out also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). Roots's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 60%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Tap Out asks for nothing beyond the download.
Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Tap Out weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Roots | Tap Out |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (2.6K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews — better | 60.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2.6K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 379 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MWM | Tap Out Company |
Customer experience
Roots
Tap Out
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
Tap Out
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Roots
- Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
- Premium$7.997 Days
- Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
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- 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
Tap Out
No in-app purchases







