Comparison

Awful Monkey vs Rotcut

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

Head to head
About

Awful Monkey

Features
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*New app* Awful Monkey is the brutally honest screen time coach that doesn’t remind you gently it judges you. Turn your phone into a savage productivity partner that roasts you when you waste time and rewards you when you stay disciplined. --- What it does Tracks your screen time in real time - Starts focus sessions that block distracting apps - Roasts you when you break your promises - Gives you XP when you stay focused - Unlocks new monkey personas as you level up The more disciplined you are, the richer and prouder your monkey becomes. The more you scroll, the more disappointed he looks. --- Level up your monkey Stay focused to gain XP and unlock harsher, richer monkeys: *Basic Monkey* *Alpha Monkey* *Billionaire Monkey* *Monk Mode* (and more coming soon) Each monkey has its own personality and attitude toward your screen time. --- For who? Perfect for: - Students - Entrepreneurs - Creators - Remote workers - Anyone tired of doomscrolling --- Privacy & requirements Awful Monkey uses Apple’s Screen Time API to monitor and block apps with your permission. Your data stays on your device and is never sold or used for ads. Ready to stop scrolling and start building? Download Awful Monkey your monkey is already judging you. Terms of Use: https://apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://awfulmonkey.app/privacy

About

Rotcut

This app helps you break free from mindless scrolling by introducing friction and a reward system before you can access distracting apps. Complete focus tasks to earn unlock currency and spend it to access your chosen apps for a limited time, building healthier digital habits.

Highlights
  • App blocker using Apple Screen Time
  • Earn energy points for focus tasks
  • Push-up and step counter for energy
  • Focus timer and meditation timer
  • Daily streaks and progress tracking
  • Home screen widget for energy and streak
Features
Read full description

Rotcut - Block Apps, Earn Your Screen Time Go From Mindless Scrolling to Intentional Use Your phone is designed to keep you hooked. Every spare second pulls you back into the feed, and before you know it an hour is gone. Rotcut breaks that loop. Instead of opening a distracting app on autopilot, you pause, complete a quick focus task, and earn the right to unlock it. Distraction stops being free, and your attention becomes something you choose to spend. This is not another screen time tracker that just shows you numbers and hopes you feel bad. Rotcut puts real friction and a real reward system between you and the apps that drain your day. How It Works 1) Choose the apps that steal your time, like social media, video, or games 2) Complete focus tasks to earn energy, your unlock currency 3) Spend energy to unlock blocked apps for a limited time 4) Build daily streaks, watch your stats climb, and shrink your scroll loops over time When your unlock time runs out, the block comes back on automatically. You stay in control, not the algorithm. What's Inside - App blocker: shield any apps you choose using Apple Screen Time. Your selection stays private and never leaves your device - Energy points: earn unlock currency by doing something real instead of scrolling - Push-up counter: drop and earn, with on-device motion tracking that counts your reps - Step counter: get up and move to bank energy - Lock in and focus timer: deep work sessions that reward you for staying off your phone - Meditation timer: calm down and reset - Touch grass: a nudge to step outside and reconnect with real life - Panic button: an instant reset for the moments you feel the pull hardest - Daily streaks: keep your momentum alive day after day - Personalized plan: a quick setup tailors your tasks and goals to your habits - Progress and stats: see your streak, energy earned, tasks completed, and history you can be proud of - Daily reminders: gentle nudges to keep your focus on track - Home screen widget: your energy and streak at a glance Good For 1) Reducing compulsive social media use 2) Breaking doomscrolling and short video habits 3) Building more intentional, mindful screen time 4) Staying focused on work, study, or the people in front of you 5) Creating friction before distraction takes over Why Rotcut Is Different Most apps try to block you and hope willpower does the rest. Rotcut gives you a system. You earn your access, you feel the trade, and over time the habit loop weakens. You still have to do the work, but Rotcut gives you the structure, the friction, and the motivation to actually follow through. No account or login is required to get started. Just open the app and begin. Start small. Stay consistent. Take your attention back. If you have ideas or questions, email us at hello@kopontech.com Full access requires a subscription. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Awful Monkey4 screens
Rotcut4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Awful Monkey at daily against Rotcut's every 4 days. Awful Monkey also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). 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. Awful Monkey sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month and Rotcut sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Awful Monkey ships an update daily, Rotcut every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Awful Monkey versus Rotcut: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAwful MonkeyRotcut
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB75 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperThomas JudithJustine Ladlad

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Awful Monkey

Subscriptions1
  • Awful Monkey Pro3 Days trial$3.991 Month
4 purchases

Rotcut

Subscriptions3
  • RotCut Pro - Monthly$9.991 Month
  • RotCut Pro - Annual$19.991 Year
  • RotCut Pro - Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • RotCut Pro - Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Awful Monkey free?
Awful Monkey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rotcut free?
Rotcut is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Awful Monkey or Rotcut have ads?
Neither Awful Monkey nor Rotcut shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Awful Monkey or Rotcut?
Awful Monkey ships an update daily, and Rotcut every 4 days. Most recently, Awful Monkey was updated on October 7, 2026 and Rotcut on October 7, 2026.

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