Comparison

Rotato vs Promise

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

Head to head
About

Rotato

This app helps break addictive app habits by requiring device rotations to unlock them. Set custom rules, focus modes, and track your progress to retrain your brain and reduce screen time.

Highlights
  • Custom blocking rules
  • Per-app rotation requirements
  • Focus mode for deep work
  • Screen time history and insights
  • Scheduled activation
  • No account required
Read full description

Rotato is a screen time blocker that makes you rotate your device to unlock addicting apps. The premise is based on real research, which shows that adding a small amount of friction to bad habits makes it far easier to break those habits. To get started, simply choose the apps you want to block and the number of rotations needed to open those apps. You can also set different rules for different days, and change the amount of screen time you "unlock" every time you complete a set of rotations. What's included: - Custom blocking rules with instant or scheduled activation - Per-app rotation requirements you set and control - Focus mode to lock in for deep work - Screen time history and insights to see how your habits change over time - Simple, no-nonsense setup — no account required All features require a Rotato an auto-renewing subscription after the 3-day free trial. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Privacy policy and TOS: https://www.therotatoapp.com/privacy https://www.therotatoapp.com/terms

About

Promise

This app helps you reduce screen time and digital distractions with playful app blocking and focus routines. It features a cute companion that keeps you accountable, offering gentle warnings before blocking access to distracting applications.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Reduce screen time
  • Set app limits
  • Focus routines
  • Soft warnings before blocks
  • Track screen time and usage
  • Build healthier phone habits
Read full description

Social media apps are designed to keep you scrolling. Promise helps you reduce screen time with playful app blocking, focus routines, and a cute companion who keeps you accountable. Set limits for distracting apps like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, games, or any app you want to use less. When you try to open a blocked app, Promise gives you a gentle pause before you continue. You can take a short break — or break your promise and watch your companion’s happiness drop. Promise is more than a screen time tracker or app blocker. It makes screen time control feel personal, visual, and motivating. Features: • Block distracting apps • Reduce screen time and doomscrolling • Set app limits and focus routines • Get soft warnings before hard blocks • Break the heart to unlock apps intentionally • Track screen time, phone pickups, and app usage • Build streaks and healthier phone habits • Choose cute companions like Whiskers, Mochi, or Capy Perfect for: • Reducing phone addiction • Spending less time on social media • Staying focused while studying or working • Building better digital wellbeing habits • Turning app blocking into something you actually care about Make a promise. Protect your companion. Take back your screen time.

Screenshots

Rotato4 screens
Promise4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Promise at 5.0 against Rotato's 4.0. Promise also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. Rotato sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Promise asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Promise holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rotato ships an update every 10 days, Promise every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Rotato versus Promise: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRotatoPromise
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings44
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnish BhondweJAKUB ELIAS

Customer experience

Rotato

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Promise

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Rotato

Subscriptions2
  • Rotato Weekly3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Rotato Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
None

Promise

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rotato free?
Rotato is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Promise free?
Promise is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Rotato or Promise?
Promise is rated higher. Rotato averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Promise averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Rotato or Promise have ads?
Neither Rotato nor Promise shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rotato or Promise?
Rotato ships an update every 10 days, and Promise every 3 days. Most recently, Rotato was updated on October 31, 2026 and Promise on October 31, 2026.

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