# Roots vs Brainrot

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Roots at 75% against Brainrot's 18%. Roots also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Brainrot's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks) and chart position (#207 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Brainrot sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. 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: Brainrot has 22K ratings behind it against 2.6K, 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 18% of Brainrot's.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Brainrot every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Brainrot |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [4.5 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainrot-screen-time-control/id6744338972/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2.6K | **22K** |
| Positive reviews | **75.5% of reviews** | 17.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#207** |
| Size | 379 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Smolworks Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807171666) |

## 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


### Brainrot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainrot-screen-time-control/id6744338972)

**Currently charting:** #207 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting apps and websites. Utilize a focus timer and smart schedules to improve productivity, sleep, and reduce screen time. A visual indicator provides a playful nudge to encourage mindful usage.

**Highlights:** App and website blocking, Focus timer, Smart scheduling, Mindful breaks, Usage insights

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited (1 Month) | $3.99 | per month |
| Unlimited (1 Week) | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited (1 Week) | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| Unlimited (1 Year) | $9.99 | per year |
| Unlimited (1 Year) | $19.99 | per year |
| Unlimited (1 Year) | $19.99 | per year |
| Unlimited (1 Year) | $19.99 | per year |
| Brainrot (Full Access) | $24.99 | per year |
| Unlimited (1 Year) | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited (1 Year) | $29.99 | per year |
| Brainrot (Full Access) | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited (1 Year) | $44.99 | per year |
| Brainrot Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Unlimited | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reduces screen time
- 👍 Helpful for productivity
- 🥰 Great app
- 💯 Highly recommended

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires paid subscription
- 🙅‍♀️ No free version available
- 😤 Forced to pay to use

**Reported bugs**

- Stuck on payment screen with no way out
- Requires re-entering info every time

**Requested features**

- Free version with limited features
- Free trial period


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Brainrot free?

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

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

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Brainrot averages 4.5 from 22K ratings.

### Do Roots or Brainrot have ads?

Neither Roots nor Brainrot shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Brainrot every 6 days. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 29, 2026 and Brainrot on September 30, 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.*