Roots vs Aura
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
Aura
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Aura is a minimalist, low-contrast headache and migraine diary designed to protect your eyes during attacks and simplify communication with your specialists. If you suffer from migraines, tension headaches, or chronic head pain, you know how hard it is to look at a bright, cluttered screen during an episode. Aura solves this with a two-step logging system and a True Black user interface designed specifically for photophobia (light sensitivity). Key Features: • Crisis Mode: Log the start of an attack and its intensity (VAS scale 1-10) with one tap. No bright animations, no complex setups, and no eye strain. • Retrospective Details: Complete the entry details later when you feel better. You have 24 hours to add symptoms, triggers, and medication logs. • 3-Way Pain Mapping: Draw the location of your pain on a 3-dimensional anatomical outline (Front, Left, and Right profiles). • Medication Tracking: Log medications (like paracetamol, ibuprofen, triptans) and track their effectiveness 2 hours post-dose. • One-Page PDF Report: Generate a visual pain heatmap that overlays all your pain maps from the selected period into a single, clean sheet. Your specialist can analyze your history in under 15 seconds. Keep your health history organized without the clutter. Download Aura today for a simple, clinical, and eye-friendly way to track your headaches. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Medical Disclaimer: The Aura app is designed solely for tracking and visualizing headache information. It does not provide medical diagnoses, advice, or treatment. The information within this app should not replace professional medical consultation. Always seek a doctor's advice in addition to using this app and before making any medical decisions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Aura at none against Roots's 18. Aura also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, 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 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Aura asks for nothing beyond the download.
Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, Aura fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Roots | Aura |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (2.9K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2.9K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 355 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MWM | Jakub Kazimierczak |
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
Aura
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
- Premium Pass1 Year trial$99.991 Year
- Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Premium Pass1 Month trial$99.991 Year
- Premium Pass7 Days trial$99.991 Year
Aura
No in-app purchases









