moss vs Kidslox
Parental control: a parent sets limits on, locks and monitors a child's device.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Kidslox's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Kidslox is
Kidslox is a parental control app, which is a different job from moss. A parent installs it on a child's iPhone, iPad or Android device and manages it remotely: daily limits and schedules, instant lock, app blocking, web filtering, location and activity reports. It is a subscription after a free trial, and one account covers up to 10 devices. Check Kidslox's site for current prices.
What moss is
moss is an iPhone app that comes with a small physical stone. You choose the apps that distract you, tap your phone on the stone, and those apps stay locked until you tap the stone again. People who live together can link their phones to share schedules and put their phones down at the same time, while each person keeps control of their own phone. Locking is free in the app, the stone is a one-time purchase, and the household features are a paid add-on.
Side by side
| Feature | moss | Kidslox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Subscription after a 3-day trial. See kidslox.com for current prices |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | Yes |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | iPhone, iPad and Android |
| How you lock | Tap the stone, or start from the app, a Shortcut, the lock screen or the Action Button. Schedules by day of week | The parent sets limits, schedules or an instant lock |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | The parent |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | Up to the parent |
| Locking together as a household | Yes, as a paid add-on. Shared schedules, sessions others join in one tap, a view of whose phone is down, a streak. Nobody controls anyone else | One-way: the parent controls and sees the child's device |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | The parent's PIN |
Where Kidslox is better
- It is real parental control. A parent can limit, lock and monitor a child's device from their own phone.
- Web filtering, location and activity reports.
- Works on Android.
Where moss is better
- Nobody is watched. With moss each person locks their own phone and no one sees anyone's apps or activity.
- It asks the adults to put their phones down too.
- Locking is free. Household features are a paid add-on.
Who should pick which
Pick Kidslox if
You need to set and enforce limits on a young child's device.
Pick moss if
Everyone at home is old enough to agree to it, and you want phones down together, parents included.
Sources
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
moss is a stone that locks the apps you choose.
Tap to lock, tap to unlock. One price, and locking needs no subscription.
