Comparison

Roots vs FocusFlow

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

FocusFlow

Features
Read full description

Struggling to stay focused? Meet FocusFlow, the ADHD-friendly Pomodoro timer that celebrates every win, no matter how small. Whether you're a student, professional, or anyone battling focus challenges, FocusFlow turns productivity into a celebration. Forget shame. Forget failure. Here's what you get: Core Features: Customizable Pomodoro Timer — Work and break durations tailored to how your brain works Task Chunking — Break overwhelming projects into bite-sized, manageable steps Quick Capture — Dump everything on your mind without losing focus Virtual Garden — Watch your garden bloom as you complete focus sessions. Real progress, real rewards. Streak Tracking — Build momentum with daily streaks and unlock achievements Weekly Analytics — Beautiful charts powered by Swift Charts show your focus patterns Gamified to Keep You Going: FocusFlow is built around what actually works for ADHD brains: instant feedback, visible progress, and celebration. Earn badges, watch your streak grow, and see your garden flourish—because sometimes you need proof that you're crushing it. Pro Tier (Unlock Everything): Choose lifetime access ($4.99) or monthly subscription ($0.99/month) for unlimited tasks, complete analytics, premium themes, and cloud sync across devices. Built with SwiftUI for iOS 17+ FocusFlow is engineered for performance and designed for you—no bloat, no judgment, just focus.

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
FocusFlow3 screens

Verdict

The call

Roots and FocusFlow are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 FocusFlow sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Roots versus FocusFlow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootsFocusFlow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.7K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size355 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMChris Weaver

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

FocusFlow

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
2 purchases

FocusFlow

Subscriptions1
  • FocusFlow Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • FocusFlow Pro — Lifetime$4.99

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FocusFlow free?
FocusFlow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Roots or FocusFlow have ads?
Neither Roots nor FocusFlow shows ads.

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