Best Roots Alternatives in 2026
The top Roots alternatives are Freedom, ScreenZen and AppBlock: 15 screen time management apps our editors would look at instead of Roots, in our ranking order.
Roots: A focused iPhone detox app with strong behavior-change tools and one-platform coverage. Where it falls short: available on iOS, while android is listed as coming soon.
Switching from Roots? For most screen time management apps buyers the best Roots alternative is Freedom, built for cross-device blocking across nearly every platform. FocusMe offers the most devices included (7 devices).
Why People Look for a Roots Alternative
- Available on iOS, while Android is listed as coming soon
- Roots Plus costs $59.99 per year or $9.99 per month billed annually
- Its strongest blocking controls require the paid Plus plan
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFreedom9.4
Cross-device blocking across nearly every platform
Visit Freedom - Lowest priceFreedom9.4
Paid plans from $3.33/mo
Visit Freedom - Best free optionFreedom9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Freedom - Most devices includedFocusMe8.7
7 devices
Visit FocusMe
All 15 Roots Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forCross-device blocking across nearly every platform
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.3
A flexible cross-device blocker with strong scheduling and session controls.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Freedom -
Best forFree, broad screen-time controls
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.3
A free, broad screen-time toolkit for blocking apps and websites across four platforms.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit ScreenZen -
Best forMobile-first blocking with flexible schedules
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.3
A flexible blocker for scheduled focus, stricter limits, and mobile-first screen-time control.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit AppBlock -
Best forIntervention-focused blocking across devices
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.3
A cross-platform blocker for people who want structured, harder-to-bypass screen-time limits.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit one sec -
Best forApple users wanting built-in controls
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.3
A free, built-in choice for Apple families needing core screen time controls.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Apple -
Best forFree cross-platform usage tracking and limits
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.3
A broad free option for tracking usage, setting limits, and blocking distractions.
- Scheduled limits
- Focus sessions
- Application limits
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit StayFree -
Best forPower users needing granular enforcement
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.3
A deep distraction blocker for power users who need firm control across supported devices.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit FocusMe -
Best forApple and Android users wanting polished blocking
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.3
A polished blocker for apps, websites, schedules, limits, and focused sessions.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Opal -
Best forStrict Android lockouts and anti-tampering
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.3
A strict Android blocker for users who need rules that are difficult to bypass.
- Scheduled limits
- Focus sessions
- Application limits
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Lock Me Out -
Best forMobile users needing reports and focus tools
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.3
A feature-rich mobile focus app with a useful free plan and no desktop coverage.
- Scheduled limits
- Focus sessions
- Application limits
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit YourHour -
Best forApple users wanting routines and strict locks
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.3
Jomo combines strict blocking, routines, limits, and reports for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Jomo -
Best forFree Android app limits and focus mode
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.3
A free Android toolkit for tracking usage, setting limits, and scheduling focus time.
- Scheduled limits
- Focus sessions
- Application limits
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Google -
Best forFamilies managing children’s device use
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.3
A family-focused parental-control service with monitoring, limits, schedules, and location tools.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Screen Time -
Best forAndroid users wanting detailed usage history
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.3
Detailed Android usage history with practical focus, limits, and sleep controls.
- Scheduled limits
- Focus sessions
- Application limits
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ActionDash -
Best forFree Windows screen-time reporting
- Better than Roots:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 7.3
A free Windows tracker with detailed reports, limits, blocking, and focus tools.
- Scheduled limits
- Focus sessions
- Application limits
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Deskly
Roots Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Roots?
Freedom: #1 in our Screen Time Management Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A flexible cross-device blocker with strong scheduling and session controls.
Is there a free alternative to Roots?
Yes. Freedom, ScreenZen, AppBlock, one sec and Apple Screen Time have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Roots?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Freedom starts lowest, at $3.33/mo.
Why do people look for Roots alternatives?
Available on iOS, while Android is listed as coming soon; Roots Plus costs $59.99 per year or $9.99 per month billed annually; Its strongest blocking controls require the paid Plus plan.
Which Roots alternative has the most devices included?
FocusMe, with 7 devices.
How do I switch from Roots?
Export your data from Roots (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Roots.
How to Switch from Roots
- Export your data from Roots (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Roots.
Roots vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Roots | Yes | $59.99/yr | 7.3 |
| 1 | Freedom | Yes | $3.33/mo | 9.4 |
| 2 | ScreenZen | Yes | Free | 9.3 |
| 3 | AppBlock | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | one sec | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 5 | Apple Screen Time | Yes | Free | 8.9 |
| 6 | StayFree | Yes | Free | 8.8 |
| 7 | FocusMe | No | $9.95/mo | 8.7 |
| 8 | Opal | Yes | $8.29/mo | 8.6 |
| 9 | Lock Me Out | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 10 | YourHour | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 11 | Jomo | Yes | $14.99/yr | 8.2 |
| 12 | Google Digital Wellbeing | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 13 | Screen Time | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 14 | ActionDash | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 15 | Deskly | Yes | Free | 7.5 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update