# Roots vs Screen Time Control

The clearest difference is ads: Roots at none against Screen Time Control's shown. Roots also leads on ratings volume (2.6K vs 16). Screen Time Control's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 75%) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, 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 Screen Time Control sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Roots against 4.9 for Screen Time Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.6K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 100% of Screen Time Control's.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Screen Time Control every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Screen Time Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) | **[4.9 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-catnap/id6755939766/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 16 |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 379 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Format Partners LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1787987686) |

## 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


### Screen Time Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-catnap/id6755939766)

This app helps you reduce screen time by requiring a photo of your pet to access distracting apps. It uses image recognition to verify your pet and tracks your progress in reclaiming lost hours. Multiple modes are available for focused work or social accountability.

**Highlights:** Pet photo verification for app access, Block any distracting app, Screen time tracking and stats, Streak tracking for habit building, Multiple CatKey support, Loop, Focus, and Contract modes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CatNap - Premium Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| CatNap - Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| CatNap - Premium Annual Coupon | $24.99 | per year |
| CatNap - Premium Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| CatNap - Premium Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Screen Time Control free?

Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Roots or Screen Time Control?

Screen Time Control is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 4.9 from 16 ratings.

### Do Roots or Screen Time Control have ads?

Screen Time Control shows ads; Roots does not.

### Which is updated more often, Roots or Screen Time Control?

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screen Time Control every 10 days. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 25, 2026 and Screen Time Control on August 22, 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.*