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Freedom alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Freedom: scheduling, Locked Mode and long sessions need Premium, and website exceptions only on Mac and Windows. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Freedom, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Cold Turkey Blocker currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Cold Turkey Blocker logoCold Turkey BlockerFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS4 of 466.5
2SelfControl logoSelfControlOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 462.6
3LeechBlock NG logoLeechBlock NGOpen sourceYesBrowser extension4 of 459.6
4Forest logoForestFree plan + paidNoiOS, Android, Browser extension5 of 538.6
5Focusmate logoFocusmateFree plan + paidNoWeb5 of 538.6
  1. Cold Turkey Blocker logo

    1. Cold Turkey BlockerTop pick

    Best for: Windows and Mac users who need a hard-to-bypass block on sites and apps

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Freedom

    One-time purchase with stricter desktop locks and app blocking, if you don't need phone coverage.

    Pros

    • Blocks desktop apps as well as websites in Pro
    • One-time payment covers all your personal computers on both OSes
    • Strong locking options make blocks hard to bypass
    • Free tier covers timed website blocking

    Cons

    • No Linux, ChromeOS, iOS or Android support
    • Scheduling and app blocking require Pro
    • Strict locks can't easily be undone if set by mistake
    Visit Cold Turkey Blocker Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cold Turkey Blocker a good Freedom alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro pricing
    One-time lifetime purchase
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days of Pro
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund
    30 days
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. SelfControl logo

    2. SelfControl

    Best for: Mac users who want a free, no-escape website block for focused work sessions

    Open sourcemacOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Freedom

    Free, open-source Mac blocker with no subscription, for simple timed website blocks.

    Pros

    • Completely free and open source
    • Blocks can't be undone by restarting or deleting the app
    • System-wide, so it covers every browser and internet app

    Cons

    • Mac only, with no Windows, phone or browser versions
    • No scheduled or recurring blocks; each block is started by hand
    • Blocks websites and servers, not desktop apps
    Visit SelfControl Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SelfControl a good Freedom alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 30, 2026selfcontrolapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac OS X 10.10+
    Checked Oct 30, 2026selfcontrolapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Block lock
    Survives restart and deletion
    Checked Oct 30, 2026selfcontrolapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. LeechBlock NG logo

    3. LeechBlock NG

    Best for: People who want free, fine-grained limits on distracting sites inside their browser

    Open sourceBrowser extension

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Freedom

    Free browser extension with flexible schedules and time limits per site set.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Time limits and schedules per group of sites, up to 30 groups
    • Works in Firefox and all major Chromium browsers
    • Wildcards and exceptions for precise blocklists

    Cons

    • Only blocks inside the browser it's installed in
    • Can't block desktop apps or work across devices
    • Easier to bypass than system-level blockers
    Visit LeechBlock NG Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is LeechBlock NG a good Freedom alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MPL-2.0
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Browsers
    Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Chromium browsers
    Checked Nov 1, 2026proginosko.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Block sets
    Up to 30
    Checked Nov 1, 2026proginosko.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lockdown
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026proginosko.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Forest logo

    4. Forest

    Best for: Students and phone-distracted people who respond to a playful, visual reward for focused time

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Browser extension

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Freedom

    Free app blocking on phones with a gamified timer that rewards staying focused.

    Pros

    • App blocking is included in the free tier
    • Visual forest makes progress feel concrete and motivating
    • Group sessions add shared accountability
    • Real tree planting through a nonprofit partner

    Cons

    • No desktop app; computers are covered only by browser extensions
    • Not a timesheet tool: no billing, projects or client reports
    • Free tier shows ads; allowlists and full stats need Plus
    Visit Forest Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Forest a good Freedom alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, no time limit
    Checked Nov 1, 2026forestapp.cc(opens source in a new tab)
    App blocking
    Free on every tier
    Checked Nov 1, 2026forestapp.cc(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iPhone, iPad, Android, Chrome and Firefox
    Checked Nov 1, 2026forestapp.cc(opens source in a new tab)
    Real trees planted
    2 million+
    Checked Nov 1, 2026forestapp.cc(opens source in a new tab)
    Launched
    2014
    Checked Nov 1, 2026forestapp.cc(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Focusmate logo

    5. Focusmate

    Best for: Remote workers and students who get more done with someone watching, one-on-one

    Free plan + paidWeb

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Freedom

    Adds a real person to work alongside on video, which helps when blocking sites isn't enough.

    Pros

    • Free plan with three sessions a week and no card needed
    • Plus is cheap compared with other coworking services
    • One-to-one pairing feels more accountable than a big group room
    • Sessions available 24/7 in 25, 50 and 75-minute lengths

    Cons

    • Camera must stay on for the whole session
    • No native mobile app, only the website
    • No host or guide; structure depends on you and your partner
    Visit Focusmate Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Focusmate a good Freedom alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    3 sessions per week
    Checked Nov 1, 2026focusmate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $8/month billed yearly
    Checked Nov 1, 2026focusmate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Session lengths
    25, 50 or 75 minutes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026focusmate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Session recording
    No
    Checked Nov 1, 2026focusmate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile app
    No (add website to home screen)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026focusmate.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Freedom alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Cold Turkey Blocker logo

Best Freedom alternative for most people

Cold Turkey Blocker

One-time purchase with stricter desktop locks and app blocking, if you don't need phone coverage.

SelfControl logo

Best Freedom alternative for a free option

SelfControl

Free, open-source Mac blocker with no subscription, for simple timed website blocks.

Forest logo

Best Freedom alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Forest

Free app blocking on phones with a gamified timer that rewards staying focused.

LeechBlock NG logo

Best Freedom alternative for open source

LeechBlock NG

Free browser extension with flexible schedules and time limits per site set.

Cold Turkey Blocker logo

Best Freedom alternative for Mac

Cold Turkey Blocker

One-time purchase with stricter desktop locks and app blocking, if you don't need phone coverage.

Cold Turkey Blocker logo

Best Freedom alternative for Windows

Cold Turkey Blocker

One-time purchase with stricter desktop locks and app blocking, if you don't need phone coverage.

Forest logo

Best Freedom alternative for iPhone and Android

Forest

Free app blocking on phones with a gamified timer that rewards staying focused.

Focusmate logo

Best Freedom alternative for working in the browser

Focusmate

Adds a real person to work alongside on video, which helps when blocking sites isn't enough.

Freedom alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Freedom?

Cold Turkey Blocker ranks first right now. One-time purchase with stricter desktop locks and app blocking, if you don't need phone coverage. SelfControl and LeechBlock NG follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Freedom?

Yes. Cold Turkey Blocker (free plan + paid), SelfControl (open source), LeechBlock NG (open source) and Forest (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Freedom?

Yes: SelfControl and LeechBlock NG.

Why do people switch from Freedom?

The complaints we hear most: scheduling, Locked Mode and long sessions need Premium; website exceptions only on Mac and Windows; no Linux app.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Freedom, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.