Comparison

Rugged Roots vs Alternative Essence

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

Head to head
About

Rugged Roots

This app allows users to earn and track points for purchases, redeem rewards and discounts, and order products for pickup or delivery. Stay updated on exclusive deals and refer friends to earn more points.

Highlights
  • Earn and track purchase points
  • Redeem rewards and personalized discounts
  • Mobile ordering for pickup or delivery
  • Real-time updates on deals and restocks
  • Refer friends for bonus points
  • In-app messaging center
Features
Read full description

Welcome to the Rugged Roots Rewards Program. You will receive member only updates, specials and redeem points for cash off your purchases. Whether you’re at home, on the way to the store, or shopping with us in-store, our mobile app brings the best of Rugged Roots to your mobile device. Earn Points As a rewards member. you will be able to earn and track points with every purchase. Not a Rugged Roots rewards member yet? Easily signup in our app! Redeem rewards and personalized discountsUse your points to redeem earned rewards. Redeem custom personalized discounts and promotions tailored to your preferences. Mobile Ordering Now you can shop and place your order through your phone for pickup or delivery Real-time updates Enable push notifications to be the first to know about product launches, restocks, app-exclusive deals, happy hours, and more Refer your friends With your own personal referral link, you will be able to earn more points for every friend you refer to Rugged Roots. Stay connected Through our messaging center, you can keep track of all notifications and messages sent to you from the Rugged Roots. Download the Rugged Roots app today and discover our huge range of fantastic products and amazing deals.

About

Alternative Essence

Connect with two Maine dispensaries for the latest deals, new product drops, and full inventory. Access menus for both recreational and medical locations in one convenient app.

Highlights
  • Real-time deals
  • New product notifications
  • Full in-stock menus
  • Two location support
  • Recreational and medical access
Features
Read full description

Stay connected with your favorite Maine dispensaries through the Alternative Essence app—designed exclusively for our two locations: • Recreational Dispensary – Oxford, ME • Medical Dispensary – Windham, ME Whether you’re a recreational shopper or a medical patient, our app keeps you updated with the freshest deals, newest drops, and full in-stock menus from both stores—all in one convenient place.

Screenshots

Rugged Roots4 screens
Alternative Essence3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Alternative Essence at 100% against Rugged Roots's 0%. Alternative Essence also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and ads (none vs shown). Rugged Roots's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.6). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Alternative Essence holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Rugged Roots's written reviews are positive against 100% of Alternative Essence's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rugged Roots ships an update every 11 months, Alternative Essence fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Rugged Roots versus Alternative Essence: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRugged RootsAlternative Essence
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings412 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB72 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperRugged Roots West LLCOxford Provisions

Customer experience

Rugged Roots

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Alternative Essence

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Rugged Roots

No in-app purchases

None

Alternative Essence

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rugged Roots free?
Rugged Roots is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Alternative Essence free?
Alternative Essence is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Rugged Roots or Alternative Essence?
Alternative Essence is rated higher. Rugged Roots averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Alternative Essence averages 5.0 from 12 ratings.
Do Rugged Roots or Alternative Essence have ads?
Rugged Roots shows ads; Alternative Essence does not.
Which is updated more often, Rugged Roots or Alternative Essence?
Rugged Roots ships an update every 11 months, and Alternative Essence fortnightly. Most recently, Rugged Roots was updated on November 4, 2026 and Alternative Essence on November 5, 2026.

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