A browser extension that blocks distracting sites gets disabled in three seconds when the reflex wins. The best apps for focus and site blocking on desktop work at the operating-system level, hold the block through the whole workday, and refuse to negotiate once a session starts. That is not about willpower. It is about designing the tool so that turning it off is more work than sticking with the work. We tested seven that make a real difference for anyone who works from a laptop with the whole internet one tab away.
What to look for in a desktop blocker
Six criteria:
- Bypass difficulty. Whether the block ends when the app quits or persists until a scheduled time.
- Coverage. Browser sites only, or apps and sites both. Doomscroll moves to the unblocked one.
- Cross-browser support. Whether the block covers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Arc, not one of them.
- Scheduling. Set-once schedules beat manual start every morning.
- Analytics. A time-tracked summary is often more useful than a hard block.
- Cost. One-time purchase, subscription, or free open-source.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Blocks apps? | Free plan | Pricing | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Turkey Blocker | Strictest blocks | Yes | Free tier | Pro $39 one-time | “Frozen Turkey” cannot be undone |
| Freedom | Cross-device blocking | Yes | Trial | ~$9/mo, $199 lifetime | Same block on phone and desktop |
| LeechBlock NG | Free browser blocker | Browser only | Free | Free | Time budgets per site group |
| SelfControl | Bulletproof macOS | Browser only | Free | Free | Timer cannot be cancelled |
| Serene | Deep-work sessions | Yes | Trial | ~$5/mo | Session goals and daily plan |
| Focus (macOS) | Native Mac blocker | Yes | Trial | $50/yr | Deep macOS integration |
| RescueTime | Analytics-first | Alerts | Free tier | ~$12/mo | Time-tracked productivity data |
The apps
1. Cold Turkey Blocker, best strictest
Cold Turkey Blocker is the app to install when nothing else has held. It blocks sites and apps, works across every browser on the machine, and lets you schedule blocks in advance. The Pro tier adds “Frozen Turkey,” a mode that locks the whole computer for a set stretch, and “Locked Mode,” which prevents disabling the app until the schedule ends. The one-time price is unusual in this category.
Where it falls short: No mobile app. The UI has a Windows 7 feel that has not moved much in years.
Pricing:
- Free tier for the block basics
- Pro: $39 one-time
Platforms: Windows, macOS.
Download: Cold Turkey
Bottom line: The pick if the goal is a block that will hold no matter how motivated the future you is to bypass it.
2. Freedom, best cross-device
Freedom blocks the same list of sites and apps on the phone, tablet, and desktop under one account. Doomscroll moves to whichever device is unblocked; Freedom closes that loop. Scheduled sessions run on all devices at once. “Locked Mode” removes the option to end a session early.
Where it falls short: Subscription-only. Some corporate networks flag the VPN-like routing used on mobile.
Pricing:
- Trial: 7 sessions
- Paid: from a monthly fee, or roughly $199 for a lifetime license
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
Download: Freedom
Bottom line: The pick when the phone is as much of a problem as the laptop.
3. LeechBlock NG, best free browser blocker
LeechBlock NG is a browser extension that runs on Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. Per-site time budgets (say, 30 minutes of news per day, then blocked until tomorrow) are the strongest feature, and the whole thing is free. It only works inside the browser it is installed in, so a determined user can open a different browser to get around it.
Where it falls short: Browser-only. Extension-level, so easy to disable if you know how.
Pricing: Free, MPL-2.0.
Platforms: Firefox, Chrome, Edge (any OS).
Download: Firefox Add-ons · Chrome Web Store
Bottom line: The pick for a free, quick fix that keeps the browser honest.
4. SelfControl, best bulletproof macOS blocker
SelfControl is a small open-source macOS app with one feature: block a list of hosts for a set amount of time. Once started, the timer cannot be cancelled by quitting the app, restarting the machine, or deleting the app. It uses the packet filter at kernel level.
Where it falls short: macOS only. Site blocking only, no apps. No scheduling; sessions must be started manually.
Pricing: Free, GPL-3.0.
Platforms: macOS.
Download: SelfControl
Bottom line: The pick on macOS when the future you is not to be trusted.
5. Serene, best deep-work sessions
Serene frames the day around one to three focus sessions, each with a stated goal. During a session it blocks sites and apps, hides notifications, and plays optional ambient sound. A morning planning nudge asks for the day’s three goals before the first block starts.
Where it falls short: The framing helps some workers and pushes others away. macOS-first; Windows support has been slower.
Pricing:
- Trial
- Subscription: from a modest monthly fee
Platforms: macOS, Windows.
Download: Serene
Bottom line: The pick for anyone who works better in named sessions than in a shapeless block.
6. Focus (Bugsight), best native macOS integration
Focus is a native macOS app that blocks sites and apps, ships with a menu-bar timer, and integrates with Shortcuts, AppleScript, and macOS Focus modes. Advanced users can wire the block to fire when the calendar shows a specific event.
Where it falls short: macOS only. Subscription is on the high side.
Pricing:
- Trial
- Yearly subscription: roughly $50
Platforms: macOS.
Download: Focus
Bottom line: The pick on macOS if the day’s automations already run through Shortcuts.
7. RescueTime, best analytics-first approach
RescueTime tracks time spent on every app and site and reports back with a productivity score. It can block on schedule, but the real value is knowing where the time went. A month of data changes what feels productive.
Where it falls short: Not a hard blocker. Users looking for a strict stop will feel the app is passive.
Pricing:
- Free tier: essentials
- Premium: from a monthly fee, unlocks alerts, full history, and advanced blocking
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Download: RescueTime
Bottom line: The pick to run in the background alongside a hard blocker.
How to pick the right blocker
If the block has to hold no matter what: Cold Turkey Blocker on Windows or macOS, SelfControl on macOS if free matters.
If the phone is as much of a problem as the laptop: Freedom, one account across every device.
If a browser extension is enough because the reflex lives in the browser: LeechBlock NG.
If the day works in named sessions: Serene, or Focus on macOS with Shortcuts automations.
If the goal is understanding time first and blocking second: RescueTime.
Combine two: install RescueTime to see what actually eats the day, then use Cold Turkey or Freedom to block whatever the data reveals.
FAQ
What is the strictest free desktop blocker? SelfControl on macOS. Once the timer starts it cannot be cancelled by quitting the app, restarting, or reinstalling. On Windows and Linux, LeechBlock NG in the browser plus a small hosts-file entry is the closest free equivalent.
Do these apps block the whole internet? No. All of them accept a list of sites or apps. Most support a “block everything except this allowlist” mode for the strictest sessions.
Can any of these block apps on Windows or macOS? Cold Turkey Blocker, Freedom, Serene, and Focus (macOS) all block installed apps in addition to sites. SelfControl and LeechBlock NG only block sites.
How does a work firewall compare? A corporate firewall blocks based on category and does not know your personal goals. These apps let the person set the rules on their own machine, which is the difference between an imposed rule and one you agreed to.
What happens if I uninstall the blocker? Cold Turkey’s Locked Mode and Freedom’s Locked Session refuse to end early even through uninstall (the schedule persists in a system service). SelfControl’s kernel-level filter survives reboot. LeechBlock and RescueTime end when uninstalled.
Are any of these open-source? SelfControl and LeechBlock NG are open-source. The others are closed but reputable.
