moss vs Steppin
A free iPhone app where walking earns minutes in your restricted apps.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Boston Venture Studio, Inc.'s own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Steppin is
Steppin is an iPhone and iPad app that makes you earn screen time by walking. You pick restricted apps, and they stay blocked unless you have earned time. The default is 1 minute per 100 steps, which you can adjust. Deep Focus Schedules block the apps during set periods even if you have earned time. You can set up challenges to compete with friends. It is free, and the listing says its Pro features are now free for everyone. It needs iOS 18.6 or later.
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 | Steppin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Free |
| 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 18.6+) |
| 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 | Restricted apps stay blocked unless you have earned time. Deep Focus Schedules |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Walk. 1 minute per 100 steps by default |
| 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 | Challenges to compete with friends |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | Your steps |
Where Steppin is better
- It is completely free.
- It ties scrolling to exercise.
- Challenges with friends anywhere.
- There is nothing to buy, carry or lose.
Where moss is better
- Locked hours stay locked however far you walked that day.
- moss runs on iOS 17. Steppin needs iOS 18.6.
- Three emergency unlocks a month that refill automatically.
- Households join the same session and see whose phone is down, without competing.
Who should pick which
Pick Steppin if
You like the idea of earning screen time and want to walk more.
Pick moss if
You want set hours with the apps gone, shared with the people you live with.
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.
