moss vs Rot Stop
A free iPhone app that locks groups of apps with any NTAG215 tag you supply.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Pablo Eder's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Rot Stop is
Rot Stop is a free iPhone and iPad app (iOS 17 or later) that locks groups of apps with an NFC tag you buy yourself. You register an NTAG215 tag, pick apps and scan to lock, then scan the same tag to unlock. Each tag locks its own group. It also has schedules and daily usage limits. The site says there are no subscriptions and no cloud accounts, and it sells no hardware.
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 | Rot Stop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Free app. Bring your own NTAG215 tag |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | None |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | iPhone and iPad (iOS 17+) |
| 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 registered tag. Schedules and daily usage limits |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Scan the same tag again |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | A multi-step emergency unlock gives 3 minutes of access, then apps lock again |
| 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 |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | The tag that locked that group |
Where Rot Stop is better
- The app is free and a blank tag costs very little.
- Several tags, each tied to its own group of apps.
- Daily usage limits as well as locks.
Where moss is better
- A finished stone is included, with no tag to source or set up.
- Households can share schedules, join sessions in one tap and see whose phone is down.
- You can start a lock from the lock screen, a Shortcut or the Action Button.
Who should pick which
Pick Rot Stop if
You are happy to buy and set up your own tag, and you only need to lock your own phone.
Pick moss if
You want a ready-made stone and a household that takes 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.
