Every free option for macOS, tested and ranked by what actually can't be bypassed when you're determined to bypass it.
Skip to #1 →The most complete free Mac blocker
VerdictBest pick if you want a full Cold-Turkey-Pro-style feature set without paying $45. Mac-only is the real tradeoff.
Download FocusDragon — FreeCross-device blocker with a useful free plan
VerdictThe right choice if you need blocking across 3+ devices. Sessions capped at 2 hours on Free, which is fine for most.
Read deeper comparison →Open-source minimalist website timer
VerdictStill excellent for a one-off website timer. Too minimal for a serious full-product replacement.
Read deeper comparison →Built into macOS
VerdictWorks if someone else holds the passcode. Not a self-discipline tool.
Read deeper comparison →Chrome & Firefox extensions
VerdictGood for gentle habit-forming, not for breaking compulsions.
Read deeper comparison →The terminal method
VerdictFree but easily bypassed by anyone with admin on their own Mac.
Read deeper comparison →Most website blockers charge because they have to fund a company. FocusDragon is a solo project. The hosting bill is less than a coffee per month. There are no investors, no employees, no office.
The author is a student in Dubai who built it to beat his own gaming addiction. Charging money for a tool that helps people overcome compulsive behaviour felt wrong — especially when the people who need it most are often the ones least willing to commit to another subscription.
Free forever. Every feature. No trial. No account. No upsell. No ads.
For a full blocking suite — websites, apps, multiple lock modes, scheduled blocks — FocusDragon is the most complete free option on Mac. For a minimalist open-source timer for websites only, SelfControl is still excellent. Freedom's free tier is a strong option if you need cross-device sync across Mac + iOS + Windows + Android.
The gap is smaller than most paid tools advertise. FocusDragon is free and covers the same core feature ground as Cold Turkey Pro ($45): app blocking, scheduled blocks, multiple strict lock modes, uninstall protection during active locks. Freedom's free tier already covers basic blocking on 5+ platforms with cross-device sync. Paying makes sense mainly for Freedom Premium's scheduling/Locked Mode, or Cold Turkey's window-title and Windows support.
FocusDragon has no paid tier, no ads, no account system, and collects no telemetry by default. It was built by a solo developer in Dubai who wanted to help people with the same problem he had. Hosting costs are a few dollars a month. There is no catch.
Yes. FocusDragon blocks apps via a process-killer that terminates blocked apps every 1.5 seconds. Freedom's free tier also blocks apps on Mac and Windows. SelfControl and /etc/hosts edits only block websites and network targets, not apps.