# Roots vs Screen Time Control + Blocker

The clearest difference is rating: Roots at 4.8 against Screen Time Control + Blocker's 3.5. Roots also leads on ratings volume (3.3K vs 6). Screen Time Control + Blocker's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 76%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Roots sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Control + Blocker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Roots holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 3.3K ratings behind it against 6, 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 Screen Time Control + Blocker'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, Screen Time Control + Blocker every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roots | Screen Time Control + Blocker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** | [3.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-plus-blocker/id6807018971/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.3K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 75.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 361 MB | 128 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) | [Focus Control Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/6807018973) |

## 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


### Screen Time Control + Blocker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-plus-blocker/id6807018971)

This app helps you reclaim your time by blocking distracting applications. It provides insights into your actual screen time and offers customizable blocking schedules and resistance levels to prevent unwanted usage. Reclaim your focus and achieve your goals with a system designed to support your intentions.

**Highlights:** Accurate screen time tracking, Customizable app blocking schedules, Adjustable exit resistance levels, Session pause functionality, Daily, weekly, and monthly usage views, Goal-oriented planning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ScrollDam Access | $19.99 | per year |
| ScrollDam Subs | $19.99 | per year |
| ScrollDam - Premium Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| ScrollDam - Pro Annual | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roots free?

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

### Is Screen Time Control + Blocker free?

Screen Time Control + Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Roots or Screen Time Control + Blocker?

Roots is rated higher. Roots averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.3K ratings, while Screen Time Control + Blocker averages 3.5 from 6 ratings.

### Do Roots or Screen Time Control + Blocker have ads?

Neither Roots nor Screen Time Control + Blocker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Roots or Screen Time Control + Blocker?

Roots ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screen Time Control + Blocker every 6 weeks. Most recently, Roots was updated on November 7, 2026 and Screen Time Control + Blocker on November 10, 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.*