moss vs Zario
A screen time budget with an AI that grants or refuses extra time.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Zario AG's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Zario is
Zario: Screen Time & Focus AI gives you a screen time budget, a Quick Block for a set time, focus schedules and pause screens. When budget remains you tap to unlock, and when it does not you can negotiate with an AI that grants or denies extra time. The App Store lists several prices without clear labels: Zario Pro at $12.99, $29.99 and $59.99, Annual at $49.99 and Pro Lifetime at $29.99, so check the price in the app. It runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later. Its last iOS update was version 4.6.2 in March 2025.
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 | Zario |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | App Store lists Zario Pro $12.99 to $59.99, Annual $49.99, Pro Lifetime $29.99 |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | Yes, with a lifetime option |
| 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 | A screen time budget, Quick Block for a set time, focus schedules |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Tap to unlock while budget remains, or negotiate with the AI |
| 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 |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | No key |
Where Zario is better
- A daily budget, which is more flexible than locked or unlocked.
- There is no hardware to buy or carry.
Where moss is better
- Locking is free, with one hardware price.
- The unlock is a stone in another room, not a negotiation on the same screen.
- Households can lock together and see whose phone is down.
Who should pick which
Pick Zario if
You want a daily allowance for your apps instead of fixed locked hours.
Pick moss if
You want certain hours fully protected, with the key somewhere else.
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.
