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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
1SelfControl logoSelfControlOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 462.6
2LeechBlock NG logoLeechBlock NGOpen sourceYesBrowser extension4 of 459.6
  1. SelfControl logo

    1. SelfControlTop pick

    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)
  2. LeechBlock NG logo

    2. 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)

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.