Roots vs Sketch Focus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Sketch Focus
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CAN’T STAY FOCUSED? TURN YOUR ATTENTION INTO ART. Sketch Focus is a unique focus timer for students, remote workers, and anyone who struggles to stay on task. Set a Pomodoro timer, start your session, and watch a hand-drawn sketch appear on screen in real time. The artwork only progresses while you are focused. Finish your session to unlock a complete piece of art. It is the Pomodoro technique with a creative twist that actually makes you want to stay in the zone. HOW IT WORKS Set your focus timer — 10, 25, 45 minutes, or any custom duration. Start your study or work session and stay on task. A sketch draws itself stroke by stroke as your timer runs. Complete the session to reveal and unlock the finished artwork. WHY SKETCH FOCUS? Most focus apps just show a countdown. Sketch Focus gives you a visual reward worth earning. The progress of a sketch appearing is a gentle, satisfying reminder to stay focused—without annoying notifications or pressure. PERFECT FOR: • Students: Studying for exams, assignments, and revision sessions. • Deep Work: Remote workers, freelancers, and developers. • Creatives: Writers and designers working on a deadline. • ADHD Support: Helpful for those battling procrastination or difficulty concentrating. • Pomodoro Users: A more rewarding experience than a standard kitchen timer. KEY FEATURES • Custom Focus Timer: Use Pomodoro (25/5), 45/15, or fully custom intervals. • Visual Progress: See the sketch draw itself progressively in real time. • Offline Mode: Works 100% offline — no internet required. • Total Privacy: No accounts, no sign-up, and no login required. • Ad-Free: No ads, ever. Minimalist and distraction-free interface. • Lightweight: Fast performance with no bloat. • Dark Mode: Full support for dark and light themes. COMPLETELY PRIVATE Sketch Focus collects zero data. No analytics, no tracking, and no personal information. Everything stays on your device. Privacy policy: https://coretattva.com/sketch-focus/privacy THE SCIENCE OF PRODUCTIVITY Time-boxing work into focused intervals is a proven productivity technique. The Pomodoro Technique helps millions work smarter. Sketch Focus takes this method and adds a creative reward loop, making it easier to start sessions and harder to abandon them. ABOUT CORE TATTVA Built by an indie app studio in Sydney, Australia. We build small, focused tools that actually help without the noise. Download Sketch Focus today — set your timer, earn your sketch.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sketch Focus at none against Roots's 17. Sketch Focus also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Roots's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Sketch Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.
Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Sketch Focus every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Roots | Sketch Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (2.7K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2.7K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 355 MB | 47 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MWM | Siddhesh Shivdikar |
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
Sketch Focus
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Roots
- Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
- Premium$7.997 Days
- Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
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- 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
Sketch Focus
No in-app purchases









