Comparison

Roots vs touch grass

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

touch grass

This app helps you break free from mindless scrolling by blocking distracting applications. It requires you to verify that you've touched real grass before allowing access, encouraging you to connect with nature and reduce screen time.

Highlights
  • Block apps until grass is touched
  • Computer vision for grass detection
  • Track screen time progress
  • Flexible unblock durations
  • Block unlimited apps (premium)
  • View screen time history (premium)
Features
Read full description

touch grass block your apps until you literally touch grass. tired of mindless scrolling? touch grass helps you reclaim your time by blocking your most distracting apps until you connect with nature. key features: - block distracting apps until you verify touching grass - smart grass detection using computer vision - track your screen time progress - flexible unblock durations for your lifestyle - monthly free skip when you need it premium features: - block unlimited apps and categories - view your screen time history - deeper insights into your usage patterns impact: 50% of all skip purchase profits support uk rewilding projects. reduce your screen time while helping restore natural habitats. how it works: 1. choose apps to block 2. when you want to use them, take a photo of grass 3. enjoy your apps, knowing you've stepped outside perfect for: - breaking phone addiction - building healthier habits - finding balance with technology - reconnecting with nature - mindful tech usage requirements: - iphone running ios 17 or later - a patch of grass (real ones only!) touch grass: end the screen addiction. terms of use: https://touchgrass.now/terms

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
touch grass4 screens

Verdict

The call

Roots and touch grass are too close to call on the numbers: across 10 compared parameters — price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 touch grass sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Roots against 4.7 for touch grass. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.6K and 3K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 75% and 76% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, touch grass every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Roots versus touch grass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootstouch grass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.6K ratings) — better4.7 (3K ratings)
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews76.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.6K3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size379 MB77 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMRhys Kentish

Customer experience

Roots

All ratings2,649 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews362 reviews
Positive75.4%
Neutral5.2%
Negative19.3%

touch grass

All ratings2,756 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral4.1%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews283 reviews
Positive76.3%
Neutral12.0%
Negative11.7%

User reviews

Roots

From 2.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

touch grass

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great concept
  • 👍 Motivates users to go outside
  • 💡 Unique approach to reducing screen time
  • 🚀 Works well for most users
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription model limits free features
  • 🐛 Issues with grass detection in certain conditions
  • 🔒 Ability to bypass restrictions with minimal effort
  • 🕰️ Time frame settings can be confusing
  • 🌱 Challenges for users in areas with limited greenery

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

touch grass

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera menu going black
  • Inconsistent app behavior after touching grass
  • Issues with app recognizing grass in certain conditions

Requested features

5 requests
  • More flexible scheduling options
  • Ability to block more than 2 apps in free version
  • Flashlight or low-light detection for night use
  • Expanded detection for different outdoor surfaces
  • Social features to share outdoor experiences

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
17 purchases

touch grass

Subscriptions7
  • touch grass pro monthly$2.991 Month
  • tg pro weekly$3.997 Days
  • touch grass pro monthly$5.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • tg pro monthly$8.991 Month
  • tg pro black friday 2025$19.991 Year
  • touch grass yearly$49.991 Year
  • touch grass yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time10
  • touch grass skip credit$0.99
  • 2 touch grass skip credits$1.99
  • 3 touch grass skip credits$2.99
Show 7 more
  • 4 touch grass skip credits$3.99
  • 5 touch grass skip credits$4.99
  • 6 touch grass skip credits$5.99
  • 7 touch grass skip credits$6.99
  • 8 touch grass skip credit$7.99
  • 9 touch grass skip credits$8.99
  • 10 touch grass skip credits$9.99

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is touch grass free?
touch grass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Roots or touch grass?
Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while touch grass averages 4.7 from 3K ratings.
Do Roots or touch grass have ads?
Neither Roots nor touch grass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Roots or touch grass?
Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and touch grass every 2 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 25, 2026 and touch grass on September 24, 2026.

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