Willpower is finite. Apps that steal your attention have unlimited resources.

Fight fire with fire. Use apps to block apps.

Here are the best free options.

Quick Comparison

AppPlatformBlocks Apps?Blocks Sites?Price
Screen TimeiOSYesYesFree
Digital WellbeingAndroidYesNoFree
Cold TurkeyDesktopYesYesFree
FreedomAllYesYesFree trial
StayFocusdChromeNoYesFree
LeechBlockFirefoxNoYesFree

Built-In Free Options

iOS Screen Time (iPhone/iPad)

Already on your phone. Free. Surprisingly good.

How to set it up:

  1. Settings → Screen Time → Turn On
  2. Downtime → Set your focus hours
  3. App Limits → Add Limit → Select apps
  4. Content & Privacy → Limit Adult Websites (blocks distracting sites)

What it blocks:

  • Specific apps (Instagram, TikTok, etc.)
  • App categories (Social, Games, Entertainment)
  • Websites in Safari

The catch:

  • Easy to bypass with “Ignore Limit”
  • Doesn’t block in-app browsers
  • Settings can be changed anytime

Best for: Light accountability. “Remind me, don’t force me.”

Android Digital Wellbeing

The Android equivalent.

How to set it up:

  1. Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
  2. Dashboard → Set app timers
  3. Focus Mode → Select distracting apps
  4. Bedtime Mode → Schedule downtime

What it blocks:

  • Apps during Focus Mode
  • Pauses notifications

The catch:

  • No website blocking
  • Easy to turn off
  • Varies by phone manufacturer

Best for: Basic Android distraction limits.

Free Browser Extensions

StayFocusd (Chrome)

The nuclear option for Chrome users.

How it works:

  1. Set a daily time limit for distracting sites (e.g., 30 minutes total)
  2. Once you hit the limit, sites are blocked until midnight
  3. “Nuclear Option” blocks everything for a set period

Features:

  • Block specific sites
  • Block entire categories
  • Time-based restrictions
  • Nuclear mode (unbypassable)

The catch:

  • Chrome only
  • Can switch to another browser
  • Nuclear mode can backfire

Best for: Chrome users who need website blocking.

LeechBlock NG (Firefox)

Same concept for Firefox.

How it works:

  • Set time limits for distracting sites
  • Schedule blocks (e.g., 9am-5pm)
  • Block with password for extra commitment

Features:

  • Up to 30 separate blocklists
  • Custom blocking schedules
  • Password protection
  • Lockdown mode

Best for: Firefox users who want granular control.

Free Desktop Apps

Cold Turkey Blocker (Mac/Windows)

The most serious free blocker.

How it works:

  1. Add distracting websites and apps
  2. Start a block (can’t be undone)
  3. Work in peace

Free version includes:

  • Website blocking
  • Scheduling
  • Break allowances

Pro version adds:

  • App blocking
  • Statistics
  • Longer block sessions

The catch:

  • App blocking is Pro only
  • Can be intimidating
  • Really can’t be bypassed (even if you want to)

Best for: Serious blockers who need willpower replacement.

SelfControl (Mac only)

Open-source, hardcore blocking.

How it works:

  1. Add sites to blocklist
  2. Set timer duration
  3. Hit Start
  4. No turning back (even restarting won’t help)

Features:

  • Completely free
  • Can’t be bypassed at all
  • Simple interface

The catch:

  • Mac only
  • No scheduling
  • Extreme (can’t undo)

Best for: Mac users who need absolute blocking.

Free Focus Timers (No Blocking)

Sometimes you don’t need blocking. Just accountability.

FocusTimer

Price: Free What it does:

  • Pomodoro-style timer
  • Break reminders
  • Session tracking
  • Apple Watch support

Why it works: Sometimes knowing you’re “on the clock” is enough.

Download →

Forest (Free version)

Price: Free (premium $4) What it does:

  • Grow trees while focusing
  • Tree dies if you leave
  • Gamification

Why it works: Guilt is a motivator.

Combining Free Tools

The best free setup:

  1. Phone: iOS Screen Time or Android Digital Wellbeing
  2. Browser: StayFocusd (Chrome) or LeechBlock (Firefox)
  3. Desktop apps: Cold Turkey free version
  4. Timer: FocusTimer

This covers:

  • ✅ Social media apps
  • ✅ Distracting websites
  • ✅ Session timing
  • ✅ Zero cost

The Problem With Free Blockers

They’re all bypassable. Even the “unbypassable” ones (use a different browser, different device, etc.).

Free blockers work for people who:

  • Need a small nudge
  • Have some willpower
  • Want awareness more than force

If you need serious blocking:

  • Opal ($99/year) — Nearly impossible to bypass on iPhone
  • Freedom ($40/year) — Cross-device blocking
  • Cold Turkey Pro ($39 one-time) — Full app and site blocking

Do Blockers Even Work?

Research says: yes, but not magic.

A 2019 study found people who used app blockers:

  • Spent 23% less time on blocked apps
  • Reported lower stress levels
  • Felt more in control

But long-term behavior change requires more than blocking:

  • Environment design
  • Habit replacement
  • Understanding your triggers

Blockers are a tool, not a solution.

FAQ

What’s the best completely free focus app? For blocking: Cold Turkey Blocker (desktop) or Screen Time (iOS). For timing: FocusTimer.

Can I block YouTube but allow specific channels? Not with most free tools. StayFocusd lets you block youtube.com with exceptions, but it’s clunky.

Do focus apps drain battery? Minimally. They’re much lighter than the apps they’re blocking.

What if I need to access a blocked site? Plan ahead. Don’t block things you legitimately need for work.

Is it bad to rely on blockers? No more than relying on an alarm clock. Use tools that help you.

Related reads:

— Dolce