moss vs Cold Turkey Blocker
A strict blocker for Windows and Mac. Free version, or CA$49 once for Pro.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Cold Turkey Software, Inc.'s own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Cold Turkey Blocker is
Cold Turkey Blocker blocks websites and applications on Windows and macOS (10.14 or later). The free version does timed blocks. Pro adds scheduled blocks, application blocking, a password, its locking features, breaks and allowances, and costs CA$49 once, with the price shown in Canadian dollars. There is a 30-day refund. It does not support iOS, Android, Linux or ChromeOS, so it is a tool for the computer and not the phone.
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 | Cold Turkey Blocker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Free version. Pro CA$49 once |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | None |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | Windows and macOS 10.14 or later. No phone version |
| 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 | Timed blocks. Pro adds schedules, app blocking and a password |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Wait for the block to end |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | Not stated |
| 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 stated. One key covers all the computers you personally use |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | No key |
Where Cold Turkey Blocker is better
- It blocks your computer, which moss does not.
- It blocks desktop applications and websites.
- A free version, and Pro is a single payment.
Where moss is better
- It locks apps on your iPhone, which Cold Turkey does not support.
- The unlock is a physical walk to the stone.
- Households can lock together and see whose phone is down.
Who should pick which
Pick Cold Turkey Blocker if
Your distraction is on your laptop or desktop.
Pick moss if
Your distraction is the phone at home. The two cover different devices and can be used together.
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.
