# Roots vs Thalamus

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Thalamus at none against Roots's 18. Thalamus also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Roots's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Thalamus asks for nothing beyond the download.

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, Thalamus every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Thalamus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3.2K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 355 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Darley Dias](https://appshunter.io/developer/1816465708) |

## 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 (18)**

| 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 Pass | $99.99 | 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


### Thalamus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thalamus/id6758958460)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Thalamus free?

Thalamus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Roots or Thalamus have ads?

Neither Roots nor Thalamus shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, and Thalamus every 2 months. Most recently, Roots was updated on October 25, 2026 and Thalamus on October 6, 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.*