# Roots vs Pagelock

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Roots at 76% against Pagelock's 0%. Roots also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Pagelock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.9K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 0% of Pagelock's.

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, Pagelock every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Pagelock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pagelock-read-before-scroll/id6760515731/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **75.6% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 355 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Omar Darwish](https://appshunter.io/developer/1822966114) |

## 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


### Pagelock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pagelock-read-before-scroll/id6760515731)

This app helps you build a reading habit by replacing mindless scrolling with engaging with a physical book. It requires you to read and answer a question about a scanned book page before you can access distracting apps, promoting focus and reducing screen time.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps until reading, Unlock phone through reading, Scan printed book pages, Complete reading checks, Timed reading sessions, Set daily reading goals, Track reading progress

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PageLock Pro Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| PageLock Pro Annual | $9.99 | per year |
| PageLock Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Pagelock free?

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

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

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Pagelock averages 3.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Roots or Pagelock have ads?

Neither Roots nor Pagelock shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, and Pagelock every 4 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on October 14, 2026 and Pagelock on October 7, 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.*