moss vs Forest
A focus timer that grows a virtual tree, which withers if you leave.
Checked 11 November 2026 against SEEKRTECH CO., LTD.'s own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Forest is
Forest is a focus timer more than a blocker. You plant a virtual tree, and it grows while you stay off your phone. Leave early and it withers. You can plant together with friends, and the company funds real tree planting through a partner. The App Store lists it as free with in-app purchases, including Forest Plus at $5.99 a month or $35.99 a year.
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 | Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Free with in-app purchases. Forest Plus $5.99 a month or $35.99 a year |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | Optional |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | iPhone and iPad |
| 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 | Start a timer. It does not lock apps by default |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Leave the app, and your tree dies |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | Not needed: nothing is locked |
| 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 | Plant together with friends |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | No key |
Where Forest is better
- It rewards you where a lock restricts you, and many people respond better to that.
- Group sessions with friends.
- Cheap, and it locks you out of nothing.
Where moss is better
- A real lock. A withered cartoon tree only stops you if you care about the tree.
- Schedules that run without you starting a timer.
- Calls and useful apps stay available while the distracting ones are gone.
Who should pick which
Pick Forest if
You want encouragement for focused work sessions, not enforcement.
Pick moss if
Encouragement has not been enough.
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.
