Best Unrot Alternatives for iPhone (2026, Compared Honestly)

Last updated November 3, 2026

What is Unrot?

Unrot is an iPhone app that makes you earn screen time. Its Unrot's App Store listing explains the idea: walk, read, lift, clean, or do the dishes, and you earn coins that unlock TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, games or any apps you choose. No coins, and the apps stay locked. You log habits with a timer or a photo, and a cute buddy grows when you do things and loses energy when you scroll too much. It also lists focus sessions and streaks. Unrot's website mentions a database of 25+ tasks or your own.

The listing says an active subscription is required. Its in-app purchases are all named "Full Access" or similar, ranging from $9.99 to $69.99, without the billing period shown, so check the price inside the app. It requires iOS 18.

Why look for an Unrot alternative?

• You don't want to earn your apps. Logging tasks can feel like a chore, or turn into a game you learn to cheat.
• You need apps fully off at certain times, like work hours or bedtime, no matter how many coins you have.
• You want websites blocked too. Unrot's listing talks about apps; it doesn't mention website blocking.
• Price or iOS version.

How do the Unrot alternatives compare?

1. Unglue: the closest match

Unglue's Unglue's App Store listing describes three steps: block distracting apps, set goals, and earn screen time by completing healthy habits. If you like Unrot's trade but want a different design, it's the most similar app we found. A subscription is required; the listing shows Unglue Plus at several prices and Lifetime Access at $99.99.

2. Blocus: earning plus real strictness

Blocus's Blocus's App Store listing combines blocklists and allowlists for apps and websites, daily limits and schedules with unlock challenges: steps, push-ups, squats, planks, Pomodoro sessions, sudoku or math, and location-based unlocks. It also has an Extreme Mode it calls fully irreversible, and a PIN Code Mode where a friend holds the unlock code. The listing shows yearly plans from $29.99. If you want Unrot's idea with harder walls, Blocus is a strong pick.

3. one sec: a pause instead of a price

one sec's one sec's App Store listing says it shows a short breathing pause before a distracting app opens, can kick you out after a set time, and has a free Safari extension. One app is free; Pro is $19.99 a year or $99.99 lifetime. It suits people who open apps on autopilot and don't need a full block.

4. ScreenZen: the free option

ScreenZen's ScreenZen's App Store listing lists delays before apps open, scroll interruptions, app goals with optional blocking, strict blocks for time ranges or after a number of opens, settings locks, breathing activities and streaks. Its only purchases are tips. If cost is why you're leaving Unrot, start here.

5. BlockMind: for blocks that hold

BlockMind is our app, so read this with that in mind. It doesn't make you earn your apps. Instead, you choose the apps and distracting websites to block, in Safari and other browsers, with Quick Block, on a schedule, or after a daily usage limit, and it makes switching off hard:

• Turn-off cooldown of 15 minutes to 24 hours.
• Strict Mode that locks protection for days or weeks.
• Delete protection so you can't remove the app in a weak moment.
• A streak that grows a 3D house, with new houses at 7, 30 and 60 days, plus guided breathing and relaxing sounds.

Pricing on the US App Store: $34.99 a year or $49.99 lifetime. Where Unrot is better: if you're motivated by earning rewards for real habits, Unrot, Unglue and Blocus do that and BlockMind doesn't. BlockMind also needs iOS 26, while Unrot needs iOS 18.

6. Apple Screen Time: free and built in

App Limits, Downtime and website restrictions cost nothing. They work best when someone else sets the Screen Time passcode, because otherwise one tap ignores the limit. See how to stop bypassing Screen Time limits.

Which Unrot alternative should you pick?

• Love the earn-your-scroll idea: Unglue, or Blocus for workout and puzzle challenges.
• Want it free: ScreenZen or Screen Time.
• Open apps without thinking: one sec.
• Keep switching blocks off, or need websites blocked too: BlockMind.

More comparisons: best app blockers for iPhone, Opal alternatives and BlockMind vs Opal. Try BlockMind on the App Store.

Sources

Features and US prices were read on November 3, 2026 from Unrot's App Store listing, unrot.com, Unglue's App Store listing, Blocus's App Store listing, one sec's App Store listing, ScreenZen's App Store listing and BlockMind's App Store listing. Prices change and differ by country.