Freedom251 › Screen Time Management Apps
Roots
What Roots is
Roots is an iOS screen-time app for setting phone boundaries and building room for offline activities. It assigns a daily Balance Score based on phone use and charts how that score changes over time. Users can block apps and websites with limits, scheduled downtime, or the stricter Monk Mode. Weekly reports offer screen-time insights, while Digital Dopamine compares the impact of different apps. Goals for screen time and phone pickups, along with streaks and rewards, give users ways to track progress.
The Roots Free plan includes a Balance Score, Scroll Replacements, Screen Time Insights, and two blockings. Roots Plus adds unlimited blockings and features such as Monk Mode, Digital Dopamine, Block now, Locked Editing, uninstall protection, App Groups, Streak Rewards, and Pauses. Plus costs $9.99 a month, billed $119.88 annually, or $59.99 a year. Both a 7-day free trial and a full-refund request window of 30 days after the first payment are offered. Roots says its use of Apple’s iOS Screen Time API keeps app usage and browsing data on the device, outside Roots’ view. The App Store names MWM as developer. Roots is for iPhone; the maker labels its Android app as coming soon.
Who it suits
Roots suits iPhone users who want to set app and website limits, schedule downtime, and monitor screen-time patterns. Its stated audiences include professionals, parents, students, remote workers, health enthusiasts, and couples.
What it does well
- Daily Balance Score visualizes phone-use progress over time.
- Blocking supports limits, scheduled downtime, and Monk Mode.
- Weekly reports and Digital Dopamine provide screen-time insights.
- Goals and streak rewards support ongoing progress.
- Usage and browsing data stays on-device, according to Roots.
What to know first
- The App Store listing supports iPhone only.
- The Free plan includes only two blockings.
- Roots Plus costs $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
Limits
Roots Free includes two blockings. Roots Plus adds unlimited blockings; the free trial lasts 7 days, and customers can request a full refund within 30 days of their first payment.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Roots Plus (Yearly) | $59.99 billed annually · Unlimited Blockings · Monk Mode · Digital Dopamine · Block now · Locked Editing · Uninstall protection · App Groups · Streak Rewards · Pauses | $59.99 a year |
| Roots Plus (Monthly) | $119.88 billed annually · Unlimited Blockings · Monk Mode · Digital Dopamine · Block now · Locked Editing · Uninstall protection · App Groups · Streak Rewards · Pauses | $9.99 a month |
| Roots Free | Balance Score · Scroll Replacements · Screen Time Insights · 2 Blockings | On request |
As getroots.app lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Roots website at https://www.getroots.app/.
- Use the iPhone app, as Roots is available for iOS.
- Start with the Roots Free plan or choose Roots Plus.
- Use the 7-day free trial if starting Roots Plus.
Verdict
Choose Roots if you want iPhone blocking tools paired with a daily score, reports, and goals. Look elsewhere if you need Android now or more than two blockings without Roots Plus.
Questions
How much does Roots cost?
Roots Plus costs $9.99 a month, billed $119.88 annually, or $59.99 a year. The Roots Free plan has no listed price.
Is there a free plan or trial?
Yes. Roots Free includes a Balance Score, Scroll Replacements, Screen Time Insights, and two blockings. Roots also offers a 7-day free trial.
Which platforms does Roots support?
Roots is for iOS, and the App Store listing says it is only for iPhone. The maker labels its Android app as coming soon.
What does Roots Plus add?
Plus includes unlimited blockings, Monk Mode, Digital Dopamine, Block now, Locked Editing, uninstall protection, App Groups, Streak Rewards, and Pauses.
Who develops Roots?
The App Store listing names MWM as the developer.
How does Roots handle usage data?
Roots says it uses Apple’s iOS Screen Time API so app usage and browsing data stays on the device and is not visible to Roots.
Facts from Roots's own pages
- Balance Score
- The app provides a daily Balance Score based on phone use and visualizes progress over time. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Blocking
- Roots offers app and website blocking through limits, scheduled downtime, and a stricter Monk Mode. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Company mission
- Roots says its mission is to empower people to live a balanced life in a digital world. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Developer
- The App Store listing names MWM as the developer. · apps.apple.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Free tier limit
- The Roots Free plan includes two blockings, while Roots Plus includes unlimited blockings and the additional listed features. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Goals and rewards
- Users can set screen-time and phone-pickup goals, build streaks, and earn rewards. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Atlanta · getroots.app, 28 Sept 2026
- Insights
- Screen-time insights include weekly reports and a Digital Dopamine feature that compares the impact of different apps. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker’s FAQ says Roots uses Apple’s iOS Screen Time API. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker identifies professionals, parents, students, remote workers, health enthusiasts, and couples as audiences Roots can help. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Platform availability
- The App Store listing says Roots is only for iPhone, and the maker’s pricing page labels its Android app as coming soon. · apps.apple.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Roots says it uses Apple’s iOS Screen Time API so app usage and browsing data stays on the device and is not visible to Roots. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Roots describes itself as a screen-time app that helps people set phone boundaries and make more time for offline activities. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Roots links to an Intercom Help Center with articles covering usage, troubleshooting, and billing and subscriptions. · intercom.help, 8 Oct 2026
- Trial and refund
- Roots offers a 7-day free trial and says customers can request a full refund within 30 days of their first payment. · getroots.app, 8 Oct 2026
Where Roots stands on Freedom251
- Screen Time Management Apps#23 of 36