# Roots vs Screencat

The clearest difference is update cadence: Screencat at every 2 days against Roots's every 3 weeks. Screencat also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 75%). Roots's advantage is ratings volume (2.6K vs 2) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Screencat sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Roots holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.6K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 100% of Screencat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Screencat every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Screencat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screencat-screen-time-pet/id6741950612/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 379 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.5** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Screencat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1796293165) |

## 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


### Screencat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screencat-screen-time-pet/id6741950612)

This app helps users break phone addiction and stop doomscrolling by "locking" distracting applications. Users earn coins by using the app, which can be spent to unlock apps or customize a virtual pet.

**Highlights:** Lock distracting apps, Gamified unlocking process, Earn coins for app usage, Customize virtual pet, Stop doomscrolling

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Screencat Pro Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Screencat Pro Lifetime Special | $24.99 | one-time |
| Screencat Pro Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Screencat free?

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

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

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Screencat averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do Roots or Screencat have ads?

Neither Roots nor Screencat shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screencat every 2 days. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 22, 2026 and Screencat on September 15, 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.*