Comparison

Roots vs Locky

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

Locky

This app locks distracting applications until you complete real-world tasks. Prove completion with a photo, and earn back your screen time. It's designed to build habits and provide accountability beyond simple timers.

Highlights
  • Lock any app behind real-world tasks
  • AI-powered photo verification
  • Customizable daily tasks
  • Works with Apple Screen Time
  • Simple setup
Read full description

Your apps won't unlock until you get things done. Locky locks your most distracting apps — Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more — behind real-world tasks that you set. Want to scroll? Make your bed first. Want to check social media? Do 10 pushups. Complete the task, snap a photo to prove it, and your apps unlock. Simple. No more "just five more minutes" that turns into an hour. Locky gives you the accountability that screen time limits and app blockers can't, because you actually have to DO something to earn your screen time back. HOW IT WORKS Set your tasks: Choose what you need to get done each day. Make your bed. Go for a walk. Do the dishes. Read for 10 minutes. Whatever matters to you. Pick your locked apps: Select the apps that steal your focus. Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, YouTube, games. Locky blocks them until your tasks are complete. Do the work: When you try to open a locked app, Locky reminds you what needs to get done first. Complete a task and take a photo to verify it. Earn your screen time: Once your tasks are done, your apps unlock for the rest of the day. You earned it. WHY LOCKY IS DIFFERENT Other screen time apps set timers, Locky sets tasks. Timers are easy to ignore or override while tasks give you something real to accomplish before you get your screen time. Locky wants you to have as much screen time as you want - just only after you've done the dishes. Locky uses AI to verify your task photos, so no cheating. Did you actually make your bed, or did you just take a photo of your wall? Locky knows. BUILT FOR REAL PEOPLE Whether you have ADHD and need structure, you're trying to cut your screen time, or you just want to stop doomscrolling before breakfast, Locky turns your phone from a distraction into a motivation tool. Tasks reset daily, so every morning is a fresh start. Set three tasks, lock your apps, and build the kind of routine you've always wanted. FEATURES - Lock any app behind real-world tasks - AI-powered photo verification (no cheating) - Customizable daily tasks that reset each day - Fun, encouraging (and sometimes sassy) feedback - Works with Apple Screen Time for real app blocking - Simple setup in under 2 minutes SUBSCRIPTION Locky has both a free and pro option. Locky pro unlocks unlimited tasks and premium features. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription in your Apple ID account settings. Terms of Use: https://thelocky.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://thelocky.app/privacy/

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
Locky4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Roots at 2.9K against Locky's 1. Locky's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). 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 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Locky sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Locky holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Roots versus Locky: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootsLocky
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.9K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.9K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size355 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMRadical Sloth

Customer experience

Roots

All ratings2,867 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews369 reviews
Positive75.6%
Neutral5.1%
Negative19.2%

Locky

All ratings1 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

Locky

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

18 purchases

Roots

Subscriptions18
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Premium$7.997 Days
  • Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 15 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
  • Premium Pass1 Year trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass1 Month trial$99.991 Year
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$99.991 Year
2 purchases

Locky

Subscriptions2
  • Locky Pro Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Locky Pro - Annual$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Locky free?
Locky is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Roots or Locky?
Locky is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Locky averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Roots or Locky have ads?
Neither Roots nor Locky shows ads.

Other comparisons