# Roots vs ScrollBuddy

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Roots at 75% against ScrollBuddy's 0%. Roots also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.9) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 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 ScrollBuddy sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Roots holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.6K ratings behind it against 8, 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 0% of ScrollBuddy's.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, ScrollBuddy fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | ScrollBuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [3.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollbuddy-screen-time/id6749676786/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **75.4% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 379 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 26.4 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Aaron Vinod](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809840522) |

## 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


### ScrollBuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollbuddy-screen-time/id6749676786)

This app helps break addictive scrolling habits by introducing friction and scheduled limits. It allows you to set time budgets for your favorite social apps, offering gentle nudges and optional accountability with a partner. Focus on your well-being and reclaim your time with a kinder system.

**Highlights:** Scheduled time windows for app usage, Daily time budgets for apps, Kind block screens when time is up, Limit multiple social apps in one place, Micro-escape timers for breaks, Optional buddy accountability, Smart nudges and warnings

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| ScrollBuddy Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| ScrollBuddy Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Good buddy | $4.99 | one-time |
| Great buddy | $9.99 | one-time |
| Best buddy | $17.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is ScrollBuddy free?

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

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

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while ScrollBuddy averages 3.9 from 8 ratings.

### Do Roots or ScrollBuddy have ads?

Neither Roots nor ScrollBuddy shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and ScrollBuddy fortnightly. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 22, 2026 and ScrollBuddy on September 18, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*