# Roots vs Lerf

The clearest difference is monetization model: Lerf at free against Roots's free with in-app purchases. Lerf also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 76%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). Roots's advantage is ratings volume (3.3K vs 15). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Lerf sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Lerf holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 3.3K ratings behind it against 15, 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 100% of Lerf's.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, Lerf every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Lerf |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) | **[5.0 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lerf-screen-time-app-blocker/id6772977644/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3.3K** | 15 |
| Positive reviews | 75.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 361 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Grant Hergenroeder](https://appshunter.io/developer/1729593612) |

## 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 (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 Plus - Annual Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $59.99 | per year |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $99.99 | per year |
| Premium | $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


### Lerf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lerf-screen-time-app-blocker/id6772977644)

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting applications during specific periods. It offers flexible blocking modes and ambient sounds to support relaxation, study, or sleep. The focus is on protecting your time and peace without intrusive tracking.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps, Set custom session timers, Easy and Strict blocking modes, Ambient soundscapes, Designed for minimal interaction, Protect personal time

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lerf Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Lerf Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Lerf Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Lerf Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Lerf Yearly | $79.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Lerf free?

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

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

Lerf is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.3K ratings, while Lerf averages 5.0 from 15 ratings.

### Do Roots or Lerf have ads?

Neither Roots nor Lerf shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Lerf every 5 days. Most recently, Roots was updated on November 7, 2026 and Lerf on October 31, 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.*