Comparisons & Reviews
Most blocker reviews list features without testing what actually matters: can you get around it when you're trying to procrastinate? We test every tool by actually trying to bypass it.
The fundamental problem with most reviews is that they treat all blocking methods as equal. They'll say 'blocks websites' as a feature and move on. But there's an enormous difference between a Chrome extension that any 12-year-old can disable in two clicks and a browser-engine integration that physically cannot load blocked pages. The blocking method is the product — everything else is decoration.
All articles on comparisons & reviews
Freedom App Alternative: Browser-Level Blocking
Freedom blocks sites with a VPN filter. Browwwser blocks them inside the browser engine. Here's why that architectural difference changes everything.
Browwwser vs Cold Turkey
Browwwser has blocking built into the browser engine. Cold Turkey relies on extensions you can disable. Full comparison.
There's a clear hierarchy of blocking strength. Browser extensions sit at the bottom — they work only in one browser and can be disabled or uninstalled instantly. Standalone apps (like Cold Turkey or Freedom) are stronger because they operate at the system level, but they can still be force-quit or uninstalled by a determined user. Firewall-based tools are harder to circumvent but require technical setup. And browser-engine blocking — where the restriction is built into the browser itself — sits at the top because there's no secondary tool to disable.
Beyond blocking strength, three features separate serious tools from toys. Lock mode prevents you from changing your block settings during a session — without it, every blocker is optional. Scheduling lets you automate blocks so you don't have to make a willpower decision every morning. And app blocking covers the loophole where you just open the native app instead of the website.
Platform matters more than most comparison sites acknowledge. Mac users have different options than Windows users. Chrome extensions don't help Firefox users. iOS blocking is fundamentally weaker than desktop blocking due to Apple's restrictions on third-party system access. We break down what actually works on each platform rather than pretending one tool works everywhere.
Price and privacy are the final filters. Some blockers are free but collect browsing data. Others charge subscriptions for features that should be one-time purchases. And a few use always-on VPN connections that route your traffic through their servers — a meaningful privacy tradeoff that most reviews never mention.
These comparisons cover Cold Turkey, Freedom, SelfControl, BlockSite, FocusMe, and more — with honest assessments of what works, what doesn't, and who each tool is best for.