# Roots vs STFU

The clearest difference is rating: Roots at 4.7 against STFU's 4.0. Roots also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3.2K vs 4). STFU's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 76%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 STFU sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Roots holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 3.2K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of Roots's written reviews are positive against 100% of STFU's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, STFU daily. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | STFU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stfu-app-blocker-and-focus/id6805089131/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.2K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 75.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 361 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Christopher Riley](https://appshunter.io/developer/6778005973) |

## 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


### STFU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stfu-app-blocker-and-focus/id6805089131)

This app helps you regain control of your time by blocking distracting social media apps and websites. Set timed sessions or schedules for a hard mute, track your progress, and challenge friends to build better habits.

**Highlights:** Block social apps and websites, Run timed blocking sessions, Set scheduled locks, Track protected time and streaks, Challenge friends and climb leaderboards, Earn rewards for staying focused

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| STFU Pro Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| STFU Pro Annual | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is STFU free?

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

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

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.2K ratings, while STFU averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Roots or STFU have ads?

STFU shows ads; Roots does not.

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

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and STFU daily. Most recently, Roots was updated on November 3, 2026 and STFU 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.*