# Roots vs Nudge

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Roots at 3.1K against Nudge's 1. Nudge's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). 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 Nudge sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Nudge holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 3.1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Nudge every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Nudge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nudge-shared-reminders/id6764899683/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3.1K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 75.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 361 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Kristofer Huffman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895955314) |

## What reviewers say

### Roots

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962)

This app helps you manage your phone usage by setting app limits, scheduling downtime, and offering challenges to reduce screen time. It aims to improve focus, be more present, and cure phone addiction by monitoring digital dopamine and providing a personal balance score.

**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


### Nudge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nudge-shared-reminders/id6764899683)

This app helps couples and partners manage shared responsibilities with gentle, persistent reminders. It facilitates task completion without direct confrontation, supporting daily routines and medication tracking. Premium features offer enhanced reminder options and unlimited usage.

**Highlights:** Send reminders to partner, Repeat reminders until task completion, Track medications and routines, Share task inbox, Urgent reminder intervals (Premium)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nudge Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Nudge Premium | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Nudge free?

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

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

Nudge is rated higher. Roots averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while Nudge averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Roots or Nudge have ads?

Neither Roots nor Nudge shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Nudge every 2 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on October 30, 2026 and Nudge on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*