moss vs TapBlok
Free and open source. Android sessions start and stop by scanning an NFC tag or QR code.
Checked 11 November 2026 against cajdata's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What TapBlok is
TapBlok is a free, open source Android app (Apache 2.0 licence) with no subscription and no in-app purchases. A blocking session starts when you scan an NFC tag or QR code and stops when you scan again. In Strict Mode, scanning on the block screen opens one app for 1 to 30 minutes without ending the session. It needs Android 7.0 or later and is installed from its GitHub releases.
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 | TapBlok |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Free. Bring your own NFC tag or QR code |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | None |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | Android 7.0 or later |
| 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 | Scan a tag or QR code to start a session |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Scan again. Strict Mode can open one app for 1 to 30 minutes |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | A hold-to-stop fallback for lost tags, set from 30 seconds to 15 minutes, or off. Up to 5 five-minute breaks a session |
| 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 | None |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | Your own tag or QR code |
Where TapBlok is better
- It is free and open source, so anyone can read the code.
- It works on Android, which moss does not.
- It can open a single app for a few minutes without ending the whole session.
Where moss is better
- It works on iPhone. TapBlok is Android only.
- A finished stone is included, with nothing to source or set up.
- Households can share schedules, join sessions in one tap and see whose phone is down.
Who should pick which
Pick TapBlok if
You use Android and are comfortable installing an app from GitHub.
Pick moss if
You use an iPhone and want your household to take part.
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.
