moss vs Wisephone II
A $399 phone with no browser or social media, and a WiseOS subscription.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Techless's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Wisephone II is
The Wisephone II is a minimalist smartphone from Techless. It runs WiseOS, which has no web browser and no social media, and a "Tool Drawer" of approved third-party apps. Examples Techless lists include Waze, Spotify, Signal, WhatsApp, Uber and banking apps, and it says availability may change. The phone is $399 new or $359 open-box. WiseOS is $14.99 a month or $164.88 a year with your own carrier, plus a one-time $39 activation fee, or you can take a Techless plan from $24.99 a month. Through the Wisephone Portal, you or a trusted person choose which features are accessible.
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 | Wisephone II |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | $399 new, $359 open-box, plus a one-time $39 WiseOS activation fee |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | Yes. WiseOS $14.99 a month or $164.88 a year, or a Techless plan from $24.99 a month |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | Its own device, running WiseOS |
| 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 | Nothing to lock. Blocked categories cannot be installed |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Not applicable. Features are chosen in the Wisephone Portal |
| 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 | A trusted person can manage the phone remotely through the Wisephone Portal |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | You or a trusted person, through the Wisephone Portal |
Where Wisephone II is better
- There is no browser and there are no social apps to unlock.
- A trusted person can hold the controls remotely.
- It keeps banking, maps, Spotify, WhatsApp and Signal on the listed apps.
Where moss is better
- Locking is free in the app, with a one-time hardware purchase and no subscription.
- It works with the iPhone you already own.
- Nobody can lock or see anyone else's phone. Each person locks their own.
Who should pick which
Pick Wisephone II if
You want a phone without a browser, and you are happy to pay monthly and leave the iPhone.
Pick moss if
You want to keep your iPhone, pay once and lock the distracting apps for the hours you choose.
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.
