moss vs Net Nanny
A web filter with a parent feed of searches and blocked-site attempts.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Net Nanny's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Net Nanny is
Net Nanny is a web filter and screen time tool. A parent gets a "Family Feed" showing a child's online searches, time online and attempts to reach blocked sites. The cheapest plan covers one desktop computer, and the Family Protection Pass covers 5 or 20 devices across Windows, macOS and iOS. On the day we checked, its home page showed paired prices under a 30% off banner: $49.99 and $39.99 a year for one desktop, $79.99 and $54.99 for 5 devices, and $129.99 and $89.99 for 20 devices. Net Nanny says app blocking on iOS works "from a pre-loaded list of over 100 popular apps".
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 | Net Nanny |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Listed at $39.99 to $49.99 a year (1 desktop), $54.99 to $79.99 (5 devices), $89.99 to $129.99 (20 devices) |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | Yes, yearly |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | Windows, macOS and iOS on the Family passes |
| 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 | The parent sets web filters, daily hour allowances and app blocks |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | The parent sets the rules. The steps are not stated |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | Up to the parent |
| 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 | One-way: the parent sees searches, time online, blocked-site attempts and location on iOS |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | The parent's account |
Where Net Nanny is better
- Real web content filtering and search reporting.
- Works on Windows and Mac computers.
- A daily hour allowance for each child.
Where moss is better
- Nobody is watched. moss does not see searches, sites or location.
- You choose any apps on your own iPhone to lock.
- Locking is free. Household features are a paid add-on.
Who should pick which
Pick Net Nanny if
You want to filter the web for a child and see what they searched for.
Pick moss if
Your household does not need a filter and wants to lock phones together as equals.
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.
