Best picks by scenario
Best cross-device focus blocker
Freedom and BlockSite are useful for scheduled sessions across several device types.
Best strict desktop blocker
Cold Turkey, FocusMe, and SelfControl are stronger when local desktop friction matters most.
Best built-in family option
Screen Time / Family Link covers basic app limits and downtime.
Compare tools
| Tool | Best for | Platforms | Privacy | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom | Users who want scheduled website and app blocking for focus, relapse prevention, or general digital boundaries. | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, and browser extensions depending on current product support. | Medium | Best for scheduled blocks and general digital boundaries. |
| Cold Turkey | Desktop users who want strict website and app blocking, scheduled blocks, and strong local friction. | Windows and macOS. | Low to medium | Best for strict desktop blocking on Windows and Mac. |
| BlockSite | Users who want a familiar mobile and browser blocker for sites, keywords, apps, and focus sessions. | iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and desktop browser extension support depending on current product terms. | Medium | Best as a familiar mobile and browser blocker for sites, keywords, and focus sessions. |
| LeechBlock NG | Users who want a highly customizable free browser-level blocker with time rules and delay tactics. | Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and other supported browser-extension environments depending on current listings. | Low to medium | Best for advanced free browser-level rules and time windows. |
| StayFocusd | Users who want to limit time spent on specific websites from a browser. | Chrome and Chromium-based browser environments depending on current extension support. | Low to medium | Best for limiting time on known sites in Chrome. |
| WasteNoTime | Safari users who want blacklist rules and time limits inside the browser. | Safari and Apple ecosystem support depending on current App Store listing. | Low to medium | Best for Safari users who want browser-level blacklists and time limits. |
| FocusMe | Users who want stronger system-level blocking, schedules, breaks, and strict focus controls. | Windows, macOS, and Android support depending on current product terms. | Medium | Best for stricter system-level focus controls across apps and websites. |
| SelfControl | Mac users who want a strict timed block that cannot be easily stopped once started. | macOS. | Low to medium | Best for short, strict Mac blocking sessions that should not be easy to cancel. |
| AppBlock | Mobile users who want to block apps, websites, schedules, and high-risk time windows. | Android and iOS depending on current app-store availability and operating-system limits. | Medium to high | Best for mobile app and website restrictions on high-risk time windows. |
| Stay Focused | Android users who need strong app and website limits, keyword blocking, and anti-bypass controls. | Android, with support depending on current app and device permissions. | Medium to high | Best for Android users who need stronger app and website limits. |
| Screen Time / Family Link | Families who want built-in content restrictions, app limits, downtime, and basic device supervision before paying for a dedicated tool. | Apple Screen Time works across supported iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices; Google Family Link supports supervised Android, Chromebook, and Google account workflows. | Medium to high | Best as the built-in starting point before paying for a dedicated product. |
Tool profiles
Freedom
Best for scheduled blocks and general digital boundaries.
Best fit: Users who want scheduled website and app blocking for focus, relapse prevention, or general digital boundaries.
Platforms: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, and browser extensions depending on current product support.
Cold Turkey
Best for strict desktop blocking on Windows and Mac.
Best fit: Desktop users who want strict website and app blocking, scheduled blocks, and strong local friction.
Platforms: Windows and macOS.
BlockSite
Best as a familiar mobile and browser blocker for sites, keywords, and focus sessions.
Best fit: Users who want a familiar mobile and browser blocker for sites, keywords, apps, and focus sessions.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and desktop browser extension support depending on current product terms.
LeechBlock NG
Best for advanced free browser-level rules and time windows.
Best fit: Users who want a highly customizable free browser-level blocker with time rules and delay tactics.
Platforms: Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and other supported browser-extension environments depending on current listings.
StayFocusd
Best for limiting time on known sites in Chrome.
Best fit: Users who want to limit time spent on specific websites from a browser.
Platforms: Chrome and Chromium-based browser environments depending on current extension support.
WasteNoTime
Best for Safari users who want browser-level blacklists and time limits.
Best fit: Safari users who want blacklist rules and time limits inside the browser.
Platforms: Safari and Apple ecosystem support depending on current App Store listing.
FocusMe
Best for stricter system-level focus controls across apps and websites.
Best fit: Users who want stronger system-level blocking, schedules, breaks, and strict focus controls.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Android support depending on current product terms.
SelfControl
Best for short, strict Mac blocking sessions that should not be easy to cancel.
Best fit: Mac users who want a strict timed block that cannot be easily stopped once started.
Platforms: macOS.
AppBlock
Best for mobile app and website restrictions on high-risk time windows.
Best fit: Mobile users who want to block apps, websites, schedules, and high-risk time windows.
Platforms: Android and iOS depending on current app-store availability and operating-system limits.
Stay Focused
Best for Android users who need stronger app and website limits.
Best fit: Android users who need strong app and website limits, keyword blocking, and anti-bypass controls.
Platforms: Android, with support depending on current app and device permissions.
Screen Time / Family Link
Best as the built-in starting point before paying for a dedicated product.
Best fit: Families who want built-in content restrictions, app limits, downtime, and basic device supervision before paying for a dedicated tool.
Platforms: Apple Screen Time works across supported iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices; Google Family Link supports supervised Android, Chromebook, and Google account workflows.
Selection checklist
- List the sites and apps to block before choosing.
- Check whether mobile and desktop coverage both matter.
- Use locked modes carefully so you do not block needed work.
- Choose porn-specific filtering if explicit content detection matters.
Related guides
Country notes
FAQ
Can a focus blocker help with porn use?
Yes, when the problem is predictable sites, apps, or time windows. It is weaker when explicit content detection or partner accountability is required.
Freedom or Cold Turkey?
Freedom is better for cross-device scheduled sessions. Cold Turkey is stronger for strict local desktop blocking on Windows and Mac.
Should I use focus blocking instead of porn-specific filtering?
Use focus blocking for general digital boundaries. Use porn-specific filtering or DNS filtering when explicit content detection matters.
Important note
This page is informational and does not provide medical advice. Product features, pricing, app permissions, and platform support can change. Verify current details before buying.