Comparison

Roots vs Screen Time Control App

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

Screen Time Control App

This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting apps and providing insights into your usage. Set schedules for app blocking and receive motivational reminders to encourage a healthier digital balance and boost productivity.

Highlights
  • App Blocking
  • Scheduled Blocking
  • Instant Category Blocking
  • Usage Insights
  • Motivational Reminders
Features
Read full description

Screen Time Control App is the ultimate solution to help you regain control over your digital life and reduce screen time. With Screen Time Control App, you can break free from the addictive grip of your devices and cultivate healthier habits, allowing you to reclaim your time and focus on what truly matters. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Screen Time Control App empowers you to block specific apps for designated periods, ensuring that you stay productive and focused on your goals. Whether you need to concentrate during work hours or simply want to create space for meaningful activities, Screen Time Control App has got you covered. Key Features: App Blocking: Select and block specific apps that tend to consume your time and attention. Customize your list to include social media, entertainment, or any other apps that distract you. Scheduled Blocking: Set specific time intervals during which Screen Free will automatically block the apps you've chosen. Establish daily routines or create dedicated windows for work, study, or personal time. Instant Blocking: Tackle entire categories of apps with a single tap. Block all social media or gaming apps with ease, ensuring that you stay on track without wasting valuable time. Usage Insights: Gain valuable insights into your app usage patterns and screen time habits. Stay informed about how much time you spend on different apps, helping you make informed decisions and prioritize your digital well-being. Motivational Reminders: Receive gentle reminders and notifications to encourage you to take breaks, step away from your screen, and engage in other fulfilling activities. Get inspired to explore new hobbies, read a book, or connect with loved ones. Take the first step towards a more balanced and fulfilling life with Screen Time Control App. It's time to reclaim your time, boost productivity, and create space for the things that truly matter. * Screen Time Control App offers Pro Plan which could be annual, weekly, monthly or lifetime service. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase and auto-renews at the same price unless disabled in iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your subscription can be managed in your iTunes Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Links Terms of Service: https://focus.lilucat.com/legal/terms Privacy: https://focus.lilucat.com/legal/privacy

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
Screen Time Control App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Screen Time Control App at daily against Roots's every 3 weeks. Screen Time Control App also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Roots's advantage is ratings volume (2.6K vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and Screen Time Control App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screen Time Control App holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Screen Time Control App daily. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Roots versus Screen Time Control App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootsScreen Time Control App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.6K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.6K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size379 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMLilucat

Customer experience

Roots

All ratings2,649 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews362 reviews
Positive75.4%
Neutral5.2%
Negative19.3%

Screen Time Control App

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Screen Time Control App

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
3 purchases

Screen Time Control App

Subscriptions2
  • ScreenTimeControl Pro3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • ScreenTimeControl Pro$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • ScreenTimeControl Pro$19.99

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control App free?
Screen Time Control App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Roots or Screen Time Control App?
Screen Time Control App is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Screen Time Control App averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Roots or Screen Time Control App have ads?
Neither Roots nor Screen Time Control App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Roots or Screen Time Control App?
Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screen Time Control App daily. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 22, 2026 and Screen Time Control App on August 13, 2026.

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