Comparison

Roots vs Present

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Roots

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
Read full description

Roots is the #1 screen time app. Set boundaries with your phone, and unlock more time.  Screen time has a major impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. We're here to help — with better app limits, digital downtime, daily goals, balance score, and more. Join thousands of people using Roots to build a better relationship with their phone. WHAT TO EXPECT - Better screen time management - Unlock 2 hours per day - Stop scrolling mindlessly - Cure your phone addiction - Detox from phone dopamine - Find better balance - Be more present - Stay focused BLOCK NOW - Start blocking apps at any time with one tap BETTER APP LIMITS - Block any app or website based on time limits or number of opens SCHEDULE DOWNTIME - Be intentional with "mindful mornings", "evening wind down", and more PHONE DETOX CHALLENGES - Personalized challenges to compete with yourself and friends - Challenges with neuroscientist and Roots Chief Science Officer, Tj Power BLOCK WITH "MONK MODE" - App blocking that doesn't let you unblock until tomorrow MONITOR DIGITAL DOPAMINE - Not all screen time is equal, so we help you understand the impact of each app DAILY GOALS - Set goals for screen time and phone pickups, and track your daily progress PERSONAL BALANCE SCORE - Daily score helps keep you accountable with beautiful illustrations and visuals SCREEN TIME TRENDS - View the progress and trends of your screen time journey BUILD A STREAK - Build a streak as you stay under limits, earn cheat days and custom app icons BLOCK ADULT WEBSITES - Keep yourself off adult websites once and for all DON’T JUST TAKE IT FROM US "We’re all guilty of being obsessed with our phones. Roots helps you break free." -- Tj Power, Neuroscientist and Author “It's beautiful, and it works” -- Jameston78 “This app does what it says” -- Casper-F “Worth every penny” -- Thehikingfool PRIVACY GUARANTEED We use Apple’s Screen Time API so all of your phone usage data stays on your phone. TERMS & CONDITIONS - Auto-Renewing Subscription Options: Roots Plus (Monthly or Annual) - Terms: https://www.getroots.app/terms - Privacy Policy: https://www.getroots.app/privacy-policy

About

Present

Features
Read full description

Present helps you break the reflex to open distracting apps. Set daily open limits, let Present enforce them with Apple’s Screen Time controls, and stay focused on what matters. Choose the apps that derail your day, cap how many times you can launch them, and get a gentle intervention when you’re done. Limits reset automatically at midnight, so every day starts fresh. Limit app opens, not just minutes: cap daily launches for each app Per-app blocking: only the app that hits its limit is paused, others stay available Temporary access: request short extra time when you truly need it Simple tracking: see usage and limit status at a glance Automatic resets: clean slate every night at midnight Private by design: picks are made with Apple’s Family Controls; app names stay on-device How it works: select apps with Apple’s FamilyActivityPicker, set daily open counts, and let Present block the specific app once the limit is reached. You’ll get interventions that keep you honest without shutting down your whole phone. Works on iPhone and iPad (Screen Time permission required).

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
Present4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Present at none against Roots's 17. Present also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Present asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Present weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Roots versus Present: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootsPresent
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size379 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMAndrew Sverdrup

Bugs and requests

Roots

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

Present

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

17 purchases

Roots

Subscriptions17
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Premium$7.997 Days
  • Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 14 more
  • Roots - Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
  • Roots - Monthly Plan$19.991 Month
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan$29.991 Year
  • Premium$39.991 Year
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Premium Pass$59.991 Year
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Premium1 Month trial$69.991 Year
  • Roots Plus - Annual Plan$79.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass1 Month trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$99.991 Year
None

Present

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Present free?
Present is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Roots or Present have ads?
Neither Roots nor Present shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Roots or Present?
Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Present weekly. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 29, 2026 and Present on September 15, 2026.

Other comparisons