You sit down to write, and ten minutes later you’re reading something unrelated. A website blocker adds a bit of friction between you and the habit. It won’t fix the reason you wanted to escape, but it can make the escape harder.
This guide compares four well-known blockers by what the official pages say: platform, what’s free, what’s paid, and how hard each makes it to switch the block off. Details were read on 3 November 2026. They change, so check before you buy.
Quick answer: For a free option on Firefox, try LeechBlock NG. For Chrome, StayFocusd restricts time on sites you choose. For a desktop app on Windows or Mac, Cold Turkey has a free version with website blocking and a Pro version that adds app blocking and scheduling. Freedom is the one to look at if you need to block across phones, tablets and computers, but it’s paid.
The four at a glance
| Tool | Where it runs | What’s free | What costs money | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Turkey | Windows and macOS only | Website blocking, website exceptions, timed blocks, statistics | Pro is a one-time purchase and adds app blocking, scheduled blocks, an app password, locking features and breaks. The page shows no dollar price | A free 7-day Pro trial is included; the page offers a full refund within 30 days. Not supported on Linux, ChromeOS, Android or iOS |
| Freedom | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Chromebook | The page doesn’t mention a free trial | “Freedom Forever” is a one-time payment, shown at $99.50 (crossed-out $199, “50% off”), plus tax where applicable. Monthly and yearly plans are mentioned without prices | Website exceptions aren’t available on iOS, Android or Chromebook, and Chromebook can’t block apps |
| LeechBlock NG | Firefox, including Firefox for Android | The extension is free | The developer asks for an optional small contribution | Up to 30 block sets, each with its own times and days |
| StayFocusd | Chrome | The listing doesn’t state a price | The listing doesn’t state one | Includes a “Nuclear Option” that can’t be cancelled once activated |
Prices in USD, as shown on the pages on 3 November 2026.
How each one makes you stay blocked
A blocker you can switch off in two clicks only works if you don’t want to switch it off. What the pages say:
- Cold Turkey: the Pro version adds locking features and an app password, so some of the stronger controls are paid.
- LeechBlock NG: can protect its options page with a password or random access code, and has a lockdown mode that blocks sites immediately for a set duration. It can also set a countdown before access, instead of blocking outright.
- StayFocusd: its Nuclear Option blocks sites for the hours and days you choose and, once activated, can’t be cancelled. To change any settings you “must complete a challenging task.”
- Freedom: the page we read doesn’t describe how its locks work, so check before you rely on it.
Which one to choose
These are our suggestions based on the details above.
| If you… | Look at |
|---|---|
| Use Firefox and want a free tool with schedules and time limits | LeechBlock NG |
| Use Chrome and want to cap the minutes you spend on certain sites | StayFocusd |
| Work on a Windows or Mac computer and want to block apps as well as websites | Cold Turkey (app blocking is a Pro feature) |
| Need the same blocks on a phone and a laptop | Freedom, which lists iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Chromebook |
| Want to try before paying | Cold Turkey’s free version and 7-day Pro trial, or a free extension |
Set it up in 15 minutes
- Find your worst three sites. Check your browser history for the last week. Only block what you actually visit when you should be working.
- Block them during your main work blocks, not all day. A blocker that stops you from checking anything at lunch gets turned off. Our guide to time blocking shows how to protect two or three windows.
- Allow the sites you need. Add exceptions for work tools.
- Make it slightly hard to undo. Use a password, a countdown or a lockdown if the tool has one, and ask a friend to set the password if you need to.
- Review after a week. Did you change the block or find a workaround? Adjust it.
Where blockers fall short
- They only block what you tell them to. Cold Turkey’s free version doesn’t include app blocking, for example.
- Other devices and browsers. A browser extension doesn’t touch your phone or another browser.
- They don’t touch the reason. Many people escape a task because it feels unclear or hard. If you keep reaching around the blocker, shrink the task instead. See our guide on how to stop procrastinating.
- Privacy. LeechBlock NG’s listing says it requires access to your data for all websites, and says the developer doesn’t require data collection. Any blocker needs broad access to the pages you open, so read the permissions for whichever you pick.
Pair a blocker with a timer
A blocker handles the “where,” a timer handles the “how long.” Use a timed work block and let the blocker cover it. Our Pomodoro apps guide compares timers, and the distraction guide covers the interruptions a blocker can’t stop, such as people and noise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free website blocker? It depends on your browser and device. LeechBlock NG is free on Firefox, Cold Turkey has a free version for Windows and Mac, and StayFocusd is a Chrome extension (its listing doesn’t state a price).
Can I block websites on my phone? Among these four, Freedom lists iOS and Android support, and LeechBlock NG’s listing mentions Firefox for Android. Cold Turkey says Android and iOS aren’t supported.
Do website blockers actually improve productivity? We didn’t find a study that tests them directly. They add friction, which may help if checking sites is a habit. Test it for a week.
Is Cold Turkey free? It has a free version with website blocking, exceptions, timed blocks and statistics. App blocking, scheduled blocks and the locking features need Pro.
Published 3 November 2026. We read each tool’s official page that day and report only what it states; where a price wasn’t shown, we say so.
Sources
- Cold Turkey: pricing
- Freedom: Forever plan
- LeechBlock NG on Firefox Add-ons
- StayFocusd on the Chrome Web Store