Comparison

Roots vs TimeGuard

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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

About

TimeGuard

Features
Read full description

TimeGuard - Reclaim Your Time and Focus TimeGuard helps you regain control over your screen time, reduce distractions, and boost productivity. With a simple yet powerful set of features, TimeGuard empowers you to make mindful decisions about your phone usage, helping you stay focused, improve your mental health, and break free from the grips of excessive screen time. Key Features: App Blocker & Limits: Block distracting apps and set daily usage limits to prevent overuse and stay on track. Focus Management: Schedule when to use apps and set "Deep Focus" mode for ultimate concentration. Social Media Control: Limit time on social media and avoid doom scrolling with automated session management. Mindful Breaks: Pause and reflect before opening apps, helping you build healthier habits and reduce impulsive behavior. Screen Time Reporting: Track your progress with detailed reports, streaks, and rewards to stay motivated. Personalized Blocklist: Customize your app and website blocklist to fit your personal needs. Exercise-Triggered Focus Breaks: Engage in physical activities like Squats, Left-Leg Lunges, Jumping Jacks, Push-Ups, Cobra Wings, and Sit-Ups to trigger deep focus pauses and enhance your concentration. Why TimeGuard? TimeGuard is designed for those who want to break free from phone addiction without going cold turkey. Whether you're battling anxiety, ADHD, or just want to become more productive, TimeGuard provides the tools you need to take control of your phone usage and align it with your personal goals. Join thousands of users who have reduced their screen time, improved their focus, and created healthier digital habits. TimeGuard is not just an app; it's a digital wellness companion that helps you live mindfully in a distracted world. Subscription terms: - Weekly Subscription length: weekly. - Weekly Subscription price in USD: 4.99 USD per week - Monthly Subscription length: monthly. - Monthly Subscription price in USD: 7.99 USD per month - Yearly Subscription Subscription length: yearly. - Yearly Subscription Subscription price in USD: 49.99 USD per year - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase. - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase. - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription. - Privacy policy: https://imwallpaper.com/privacy - Terms and conditions: https://imwallpaper.com/terms - If you have any questions feel free to contact us: support@imwallpaper.com

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
TimeGuard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Roots at none against TimeGuard's shown. TimeGuard's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and TimeGuard sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Roots versus TimeGuard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootsTimeGuard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size379 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMMeta Message Communication Technology Co., Ltd.

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

TimeGuard

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

17 purchases

Roots

Subscriptions17
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Premium$7.997 Days
  • Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 14 more
  • 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
6 purchases

TimeGuard

Subscriptions6
  • PREMIUM$4.997 Days
  • PREMIUM3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • PREMIUM3 Days trial$7.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • PREMIUM$7.991 Month
  • PREMIUM3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • PREMIUM$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeGuard free?
TimeGuard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Roots or TimeGuard have ads?
TimeGuard shows ads; Roots does not.

Other comparisons