# Roots vs SandBud

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Roots at 3.1K against SandBud's 30. SandBud's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 76%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, 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 SandBud sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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 4.9 for SandBud. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 3.1K ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 100% of SandBud's.

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, SandBud weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | SandBud |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) | **[4.9 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbud-focus-app-blocker/id6550890951/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3.1K** | 30 |
| Positive reviews | 75.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 355 MB | 281 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Sean Kuannery Media, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1757730721) |

## 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


### SandBud

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbud-focus-app-blocker/id6550890951)

This app helps you reclaim your screen time and build focus habits by blocking distracting applications. It gamifies the process by allowing you to design a virtual zen garden with elements earned from completed focus sessions. Stay present, reduce scrolling, and cultivate mindfulness with rewarding progress tracking.

**Highlights:** Block apps with focus plans, Design a virtual zen garden, Earn rewards for focus streaks, Track daily focus progress, Enter deep focus with Zen Mode, Take timed breaks, View screen time reports

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TimeBack Premium (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| TimeBack Premium (Yearly) | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Thoughtfully designed
- 👍 Helps save from bad habits
- 👍 Blend of technology and mindfulness
- 👍 Gamified experience for reducing screen time
- 👍 Nurtures a positive habit


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is SandBud free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Roots or SandBud?

SandBud is rated higher. Roots averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while SandBud averages 4.9 from 30 ratings.

### Do Roots or SandBud have ads?

Neither Roots nor SandBud shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Roots or SandBud?

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, and SandBud weekly. Most recently, Roots was updated on October 20, 2026 and SandBud on October 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.*