# Roots vs Dumb Phone (dp)

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Dumb Phone (dp) at 16.1 against Roots's 18.0. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Dumb Phone (dp) sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 Roots against 4.6 for Dumb Phone (dp). Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.1K and 3.9K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 68% of Dumb Phone (dp)'s.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Dumb Phone (dp) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [4.6 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dumb-phone-dp/id6504743503/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3.1K | **3.9K** |
| Positive reviews | **75.6% of reviews** | 68.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 355 MB | 375 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Michael Tigas](https://appshunter.io/developer/1364337001) |

## 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


### Dumb Phone (dp)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dumb-phone-dp/id6504743503)

Transform your iPhone into a minimalist device by replacing distracting app icons and notifications with simple buttons for essential apps. Create custom launchers for different contexts and utilize detox modes to reduce digital distractions.

**Highlights:** Create minimalist launchers, Select essential apps, Style Home Screen with themes, Block and hide non-essential apps, Quickly switch launchers via Control Center, Adapt to Liquid Glass changes

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dumb Phone Pro (1 month) | $2.99 | per month |
| Dumb Phone Pro (1 month) | $3.99 | per month |
| Dumb Phone Pro (1 month) | $5.99 | per month |
| Dumb Phone Pro (1 year) | $9.99 | per year |
| Dumb Phone Pro (1 year) | $12.99 | per year |
| Dumb Phone Pro (1 year) | $14.99 | per year |
| Dumb Phone Pro (1 year) | $19.99 | per year |
| Dumb Phone Pro Family (1 year) | $24.99 | per year |
| Dumb Phone Pro Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |
| Dumb Phone Pro Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |
| Dumb Phone Pro Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |
| Dumb Phone Pro Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to set up
- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 👍 Customizable layout
- 👍 Responsive developer
- 🚀 Smooth app launching

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Clunky setup process
- 💡 Lack of widget customization
- 🔒 Hidden subscription model
- 🔒 Expensive for a widget app
- 🐛 Inconsistent app launching

**Reported bugs**

- Widget not appearing in list
- Apps opening through Shortcuts app
- Compatibility issues with older devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to hide App Library
- More widget customization options
- Customizable widget labels
- Detox mode for specific apps
- Support for more third-party apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Dumb Phone (dp) free?

Dumb Phone (dp) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Roots or Dumb Phone (dp)?

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while Dumb Phone (dp) averages 4.6 from 3.9K ratings.

### Do Roots or Dumb Phone (dp) have ads?

Neither Roots nor Dumb Phone (dp) shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Roots or Dumb Phone (dp)?

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, and Dumb Phone (dp) every 2 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on October 20, 2026 and Dumb Phone (dp) on October 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.*