# Roots vs Reduce Scrolling

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Roots at 2.6K against Reduce Scrolling's 4. Reduce Scrolling's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 75%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, ads 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 Reduce Scrolling sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Reduce Scrolling holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.6K ratings behind it against 4, 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 100% of Reduce Scrolling's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Reduce Scrolling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reduce-scrolling-blockwise/id6630375265/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 379 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Ko LiChung](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067190356) |

## 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


### Reduce Scrolling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reduce-scrolling-blockwise/id6630375265)

This app helps you regain control over your phone usage by introducing gentle "speed bumps" to encourage mindful app engagement. It offers customizable settings for different applications and schedules to help you reduce distractions and build better digital habits.

**Highlights:** Per-app control with customizable settings, Live Activity timer for remaining time, Recharge Time delays to prevent compulsive reopening, Smart Schedules for automatic app blocking, Streak tracking for habit momentum, 7-day free trial

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $9.99 | per year |
| Unlimited | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Access | $19.99 | per year |
| Unlimited access | $22.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited access | $39.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $44.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $89.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Reduce Scrolling free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Roots or Reduce Scrolling?

Reduce Scrolling is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Reduce Scrolling averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Roots or Reduce Scrolling have ads?

Neither Roots nor Reduce Scrolling shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Roots or Reduce Scrolling?

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Reduce Scrolling every 3 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 22, 2026 and Reduce Scrolling on September 7, 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.*