Comparison

Roots vs Detox

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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

About

Detox

Features
Read full description

Detox is the app blocker that actually holds you to your word. Pick the apps that eat your time, choose a 1, 7, or 21-day challenge, and Detox locks them using Apple’s Screen Time technology. Challenges are free. No willpower required: once your challenge starts, blocked apps stay blocked. WHY DETOX WORKS WHEN OTHERS DON’T Most blockers let you switch off the block in two taps — so you do. Detox is strict by design: during a challenge the block stays on for the full length you chose — a commitment you set for yourself up front. Optional uninstall protection can be turned off anytime from the Home tab. HOW IT WORKS - Select the apps you want a break from - Commit to a 1, 7, or 21-day detox challenge — free - Detox shields those apps until the challenge ends - Track your progress day by day NEED A REAL BREAK? Unlock your apps for 15, 30, or 60 minutes anytime — free, after a short pause designed to make you think twice. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Everything runs on your iPhone using Apple’s Screen Time framework. Your Screen Time data never leaves your device. No account, no tracking, no ads. Take your time back. Start your detox today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://detoxapp.app/privacy/

Screenshots

Roots4 screens
Detox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Detox at weekly against Roots's every 2 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Roots sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Detox sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, Detox weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Roots versus Detox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRootsDetox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size355 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMWMEpowerx Labs Private Limited

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

Detox

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

18 purchases

Roots

Subscriptions18
  • Roots Plus - Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Premium$7.997 Days
  • Roots Plus - Weekly Plan3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 15 more
  • 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
8 purchases

Detox

One-time8
  • 15-Minute Unlock$0.99
  • 30-Minute Unlock$1.99
  • 1-Day Challenge$1.99
Show 5 more
  • 1-Hour Unlock$1.99
  • 1-Hour Unlock$3.99
  • 1-Day Unlock$3.99
  • 7-Day Challenge$4.99
  • 21-Day Challenge$9.99

Questions

Is Roots free?
Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Detox free?
Detox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Roots or Detox have ads?
Neither Roots nor Detox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Roots or Detox?
Roots ships an update every 2 weeks, and Detox weekly. Most recently, Roots was updated on October 27, 2026 and Detox on October 24, 2026.

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