# Roots vs AnchorGrid

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AnchorGrid at none against Roots's 17. AnchorGrid also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Roots's advantage is ratings volume (2.6K vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. AnchorGrid asks for nothing beyond the download.

AnchorGrid holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | AnchorGrid |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchorgrid/id6773207677/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 379 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Alexander Thompson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1690587220) |

## 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 (17)**

| 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 | $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


### AnchorGrid

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchorgrid/id6773207677)

Facilitates remote screen sharing for iPhone users needing IT support. Technicians can view your screen live in a browser by entering a shared code, allowing for guided troubleshooting and setup assistance. Sessions are view-only and designed with strong privacy controls.

**Highlights:** Live screen sharing via browser, 9-digit code for session access, View-only screen access, Encrypted peer-to-peer connection, Time-limited, single-use codes, Tenant isolation for IT teams

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is AnchorGrid free?

AnchorGrid is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

AnchorGrid is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while AnchorGrid averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Roots or AnchorGrid have ads?

Neither Roots nor AnchorGrid shows ads.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and AnchorGrid every 3 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on September 25, 2026 and AnchorGrid on September 20, 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.*