# Roots vs LockIn

The clearest difference is monetization model: LockIn at free against Roots's free with in-app purchases. LockIn 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, 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 LockIn sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 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 LockIn'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, LockIn monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | LockIn |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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/lockin-screen-time-control/id6756734456/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 75.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 379 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Tymofii Hrynchuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1833879471) |

## 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


### LockIn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockin-screen-time-control/id6756734456)

This app helps high-achievers regain control of their day by blocking distracting apps and websites. It uses AI-assisted planning and unique verification methods like photo proof and AI fitness tracking to ensure task completion and habit formation.

**Highlights:** AI-assisted scheduling, Hard app and website blocking, ML-powered fitness verification, Photo proof verification, 21-day habit architect, Integration with Apple Health

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription LockIn | $7.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription LockIn | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is LockIn free?

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

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

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

### Do Roots or LockIn have ads?

Neither Roots nor LockIn shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and LockIn monthly. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 29, 2026 and LockIn on September 19, 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.*