Browwwser vs BlockSite (2026): Full Comparison

BlockSite is one of the most popular website blockers on the Chrome Web Store — over 10 million installs. It’s easy to set up: install the extension, add sites to your blocklist, and they’re blocked. For casual use, it works.

The problem is what happens when you actually need the block to hold. BlockSite is a Chrome extension. Chrome extensions can be disabled in two clicks from chrome://extensions. They can be bypassed in incognito mode. They stop working entirely if you open Firefox, Safari, or any other browser.

Browwwser takes a fundamentally different approach. It’s not an extension bolted onto a browser — it is the browser. Website blocking runs inside the Chromium engine itself. There’s no extension to disable, no settings page to override, no second browser to escape to.

This comparison breaks down the real differences, including bypass tests, so you can decide which approach fits your needs.

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Quick Comparison

	BlockSite	Browwwser
Price	Free (limited) / $36/yr	$99/yr or $199 lifetime
Blocking level	Chrome extension	Browser engine
Disable in 2 clicks	✓ (that’s the problem)	✗
Works in incognito	Only if manually enabled	✓ (always)
Works across all browsers	✗ (Chrome only)	N/A (is the browser)
Blocks desktop apps	✗	✓
Lock mode (irreversible timer)	✗	✓
Scheduled blocking	✓	✓
One-click presets	✗	✓
Focus mode	✓ (premium)	✓
Chrome import (passwords, bookmarks)	N/A	✓
Password protection	✓ (premium)	N/A (can’t disable)
Mobile app	Android only	✗
Free trial	Free tier available	Yes (7 days)

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How BlockSite Works

BlockSite installs as a Chrome extension (also available for Firefox and Edge). It intercepts web requests using Chrome’s webRequest API and redirects blocked URLs to a custom page — usually a motivational quote or a redirect back to your task.

The setup is straightforward:

1. Install the extension from the Chrome Web Store
2. Add websites to your blocklist (manual or by category)
3. Optionally set a schedule (e.g., block social media 9 AM - 5 PM)

BlockSite’s free tier limits you to 6 blocked sites. Premium ($36/year) removes the limit and adds password protection, focus mode, and the ability to block by keywords in URLs.

Where BlockSite Falls Short

The core problem with BlockSite — and every extension-based blocker — is that the blocking mechanism lives outside the browser’s trust boundary. Chrome treats extensions as guests, not as part of the browser itself. This creates multiple bypass vectors:

1. Disable the extension directly. Open chrome://extensions, find BlockSite, flip the toggle off. The block disappears instantly. No password required (even with password protection enabled — disabling the extension bypasses the password entirely).

2. Incognito mode. By default, Chrome extensions don’t run in incognito windows. If you didn’t manually enable BlockSite for incognito mode in the extension settings, opening an incognito window gives you full, unblocked access. Most users don’t change this setting.

3. Switch browsers. BlockSite only works in the browser where it’s installed. Open Safari, Firefox, or any other browser on your machine and the blocklist doesn’t exist. Your blocked sites load normally.

4. Chrome profiles. Create a new Chrome profile without BlockSite installed. Open the blocked site in that profile. Done.

5. Developer tools. Advanced users can modify the extension’s behavior using Chrome DevTools, or simply load a local modified version of the extension.

None of these bypasses require technical skill. The first three take less than 10 seconds.

For more on the limitations of extension-based blockers, see our best Chrome extensions for productivity guide.

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How Browwwser Works

Browwwser is a standalone Chromium-based browser with website blocking built into the browser engine itself. When you block a site, the request is killed at the network layer inside the browser — before the page even begins to load.

There’s no extension involved. The blocking logic is compiled into the browser binary, which means:

• No extension to disable. There’s nothing in chrome://extensions to toggle off.
• No incognito bypass. The blocking runs in every context — regular tabs, incognito, guest mode.
• No second browser escape. If you block Twitter in Browwwser and try to open it in Safari, Browwwser detects and closes Safari (app blocking).
• No settings page override. During lock mode, the blocklist settings are locked. You can’t change them until the timer expires.

Lock Mode

Lock mode is the feature that makes the comparison unfair. When you activate lock mode:

1. Choose a duration: 1 hour to 7 days
2. Your blocklist is locked for that duration
3. You cannot add exceptions, remove sites, or turn off blocking
4. Even deleting and reinstalling Browwwser doesn’t reset the timer

This is the equivalent of SelfControl’s irreversible timer, but with app blocking, scheduling, and a full browser included. For more on how this compares to other Mac blockers, see our Browwwser vs SelfControl comparison.

Additional Features

• Desktop app blocking — blocks macOS apps like TikTok, Discord, Steam, Slack. If you try to open a blocked app, Browwwser closes it.
• One-click presets — block all social media, all news sites, or all video platforms with one click.
• Scheduled blocking — set blocks to activate automatically during work hours.
• Full Chrome import — bookmarks, passwords, extensions, history migrate in one click. It’s still Chromium — every Chrome extension works.

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The Core Difference: Extension vs Engine

This is the fundamental architectural difference, and it determines everything else.

Extension-Based Blocking (BlockSite)

Chrome Browser
  └── Extension API (guest access)
        └── BlockSite extension
              └── Intercepts requests → redirects to block page

The extension operates with delegated permissions. Chrome can revoke those permissions at any time — when the extension is disabled, when incognito mode doesn’t load extensions, when a Chrome update changes the API. The blocker is always at the mercy of the browser.

Engine-Level Blocking (Browwwser)

Browwwser (modified Chromium)
  └── Network layer (built into the binary)
        └── Blocking logic → request killed before page loads

The blocking is part of the browser itself. There’s no layer of indirection, no API that can be revoked, no toggle to flip. The site doesn’t get redirected to a block page — the request never leaves the browser.

Why this matters in practice: When you’re in a moment of weakness — stressed, procrastinating, tired — you don’t need a sophisticated bypass. You need 10 seconds and the knowledge that chrome://extensions exists. Extension-based blockers fail precisely when you need them most.

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Bypass Test Results

We tested both tools with common bypass methods:

Bypass Method	BlockSite	Browwwser
Disable in extension settings	Bypassed	N/A (no extension)
Open incognito window	Bypassed (default)	Blocked
Switch to another browser	Bypassed	Blocked (app blocking)
New Chrome profile	Bypassed	N/A (is the browser)
Delete and reinstall	Bypassed	Blocked (lock persists)
VPN / proxy	Bypassed	Blocked
Edit hosts file	Bypassed	Blocked
Mobile hotspot trick	Bypassed	Blocked

BlockSite: 0/8 bypass attempts blocked. Browwwser: 8/8 bypass attempts blocked.

The difference isn’t marginal. It’s structural. Extension-based blockers are designed to be removable — that’s how Chrome’s extension model works. Browwwser’s blocking is designed to be irremovable — that’s the entire point.

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Pricing

	BlockSite	Browwwser
Free tier	Yes (6 sites, with ads)	No
Free trial	N/A	7 days
Annual plan	~$36/yr	$99/yr
Lifetime option	✗	$199 one-time

BlockSite is cheaper. That’s the trade-off: you pay less, and you get blocking that you can remove in seconds.

Browwwser costs more because it replaces your browser entirely and delivers blocking that actually holds. The 7-day free trial lets you test everything before paying.

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Who Should Use BlockSite

BlockSite is a reasonable choice if:

• You need a light reminder, not a hard block. If seeing a “you’ve blocked this site” page is enough to redirect your attention, BlockSite works. You don’t need engine-level enforcement for mild habits.
• You’re on a budget. The free tier blocks 6 sites at no cost. If you only need to block Twitter and Reddit during work hours, that covers it.
• You’re on Windows or Android. Browwwser is macOS-only. If you’re not on a Mac, BlockSite is one of your options (though we’d also recommend looking at Cold Turkey for Windows).
• You don’t have a bypass problem. Some people genuinely don’t try to get around their blockers. If that’s you, the extension model is fine.

BlockSite’s Limitations

• Chrome-only (per browser)
• No desktop app blocking
• No lock mode
• Free tier limited to 6 sites
• All bypass vectors described above

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Who Should Use Browwwser

Browwwser is built for people who:

• Have tried extension blockers and found ways around them. If you’ve ever disabled a blocking extension during a moment of weakness, you already know the problem. Browwwser removes the option.
• Need blocking that works in every context. Regular tabs, incognito, other browsers, desktop apps — all covered, all the time.
• Want to set a block and walk away. Lock mode means you make the decision once (block social media for 8 hours) and the browser enforces it for the entire duration. No willpower required.
• Use macOS. Browwwser is macOS-only. If you’re on Windows, look at our Cold Turkey vs Browwwser comparison or the best website blockers guide.

Browwwser’s Limitations

• macOS only. No Windows, no Linux, no iOS.
• No free tier (7-day free trial only).
• Higher price than extension-based alternatives.
• Requires switching your primary browser (though Chrome import makes this painless).

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The Bottom Line

BlockSite and Browwwser solve the same problem at completely different levels.

BlockSite is a suggestion layer. It tells Chrome to block a site, and Chrome complies — until you tell it to stop. It’s useful for people who need a gentle nudge, not a hard barrier.

Browwwser is an enforcement layer. It doesn’t ask Chrome to block anything — it is the browser, and blocked sites don’t exist inside it. It’s built for people who need blocking that holds when their willpower doesn’t.

If you’ve tried BlockSite or similar extensions and kept finding ways around them, Browwwser is built for that exact problem. The 7-day free trial gives you enough time to test whether engine-level blocking makes a difference.

For a broader look at all available website blockers, see our best website blockers guide for 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is BlockSite free?

BlockSite has a free tier with limited features — up to 6 blocked sites, basic scheduling, and ads. The premium plan costs about $36/year and removes limits, adds password protection, and unlocks focus mode. The free version is functional but restrictive.

Can you bypass BlockSite?

Yes. BlockSite is a Chrome extension, so it can be disabled in chrome://extensions, bypassed in incognito mode (unless manually enabled), or circumvented by switching to another browser. Password protection adds friction but doesn’t prevent uninstalling the extension.

Does BlockSite work on mobile?

BlockSite has an Android app that uses a local VPN to filter traffic. There’s no iOS app. On Android, you can disable the VPN in system settings to bypass blocking. Browwwser is macOS-only and doesn’t have a mobile app either.

Can BlockSite block desktop apps?

No. BlockSite only blocks websites within the browser where the extension is installed. It cannot block or close macOS or Windows desktop apps. Browwwser blocks both websites and macOS desktop apps.

Which one is harder to bypass?

Browwwser, by a wide margin. BlockSite can be disabled in extension settings, bypassed via incognito, or avoided by switching browsers. Browwwser’s blocking runs inside the browser engine — there’s no extension to remove and no workaround. For more comparisons, see our guide to the best website blockers in 2026.

Can I use BlockSite and Browwwser together?

You could install BlockSite as an extension inside Browwwser, but there’s no benefit. Browwwser already blocks sites at the engine level, which is stronger than any extension. Adding BlockSite on top just adds clutter.