The Internet is a double-edged sword – it provides practical information to live our lives better and, on the other side, offers infinite distractions and opportunities.

From social media to gaming, there’s always a website ready to help us forget our tasks, whether researching, studying, or finishing a project.

Let’s be honest – willpower can only do so much. Luckily, you can take advantage of numerous website blockers for studying, productivity, and focus. 

 In this article, we will explore 21 top website blockers for studying, productivity and maintaining focus.

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1. LeechBlock NG

LeechBlock NG is a free web extension compatible with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and other Chromium-based browsers. This powerful tool allows you to block up to 30 sets of websites. While LeechBlock NG isn't designed for offensive site blocking or parental control, its lockdown feature enables you to block websites instantly or set up a schedule for each set. For instance, you can block a site for 20 minutes or an hour.

Pricing Plan

Free

Notable Features:

• Blocks websites instantly or based on a predefined schedule
• Supports multiple browsers
• Allows blocking up to 30 sets of websites

2. Freedom

Freedom is a paid site blocker available for Windows and Mac users, offering flexible payment options: monthly, annual, or lifetime. In addition to its ability to block sites and apps, Freedom can synchronize your blocking rules across all your devices. It introduces three key features: Locked Mode, Block All, and Block All Except. Locked Mode ensures that once you activate a block session, quitting it becomes impossible. Block All functionality blocks all websites, essentially cutting off your access to the Internet. Finally, Block All Except lets you specify the websites that are essential for your current task.

Pricing Plans:

• Monthly: $8.99 per month
• Annual: $3.33 per month
• Forever: $199 one-time payment

Notable Features:

• Blocks websites and apps across devices
• Locked Mode prevents quitting active block sessions
• Block All and Block All Except modes for different blocking scenarios‍

3. FamiSafe

Designed for families, FamiSafe by Wondershare offers comprehensive parental control features. Parents can use this app to limit their children's screen time, track their real-time location, and detect inappropriate content. By downloading FamiSafe on both parents' and children's devices, parents can easily configure settings from their own phones. 

Noteworthy Features

• YouTube App Control, which allows monitoring viewing history and blocking channels and videos
• TikTok History, which reports usage and screen time on the TikTok app.

Pricing Plan

Starts at $14.98 per month

4. BlockerX

BlockerX is an app that blocks access to pornographic websites. It provides an effective solution to prevent accessing adult content through different apps, social media platforms, and similar websites. For added security, BlockerX offers a disable uninstall feature, ensuring that children cannot access pornographic material from their phones. Not only is it compatible with Android and iOS, but it is also a Mac, Opera and Mozilla, and Chrome website blocker

Pricing Plans:

• Annual: $109.81 per year
• Lifetime Plan: $129.81 

Notable Features:

• Blocks access to pornographic websites
• Disable uninstall feature for enhanced security
• Compatible with popular browsers and mobile platforms

5. FocalFilter

FocalFilter is a straightforward and free site blocker. With FocalFilter, you can easily add the websites you want to block and set the desired time duration. Once the allocated time has expired, you regain access to the blocked websites. It's a simple yet effective way to limit distractions and focus on your tasks.

Pricing Plan

Free

Notable Features:

• Easy website blocking with customizable time durations
• A free tool with no additional costs

6. BlockSite

BlockSite is a user-friendly Chrome website blocker equipped with a timer and scheduling capabilities. When attempting to access a blocked website, BlockSite displays amusing pictures to deter users. 

Notable Features:

• Focus Mode, which allows you to set specific times for website blocking and browsing intervals. 
• The Built-In Adult Blocker ensures the absence of inappropriate content by default, blocking all known adult websites. 
• Additionally, BlockSite offers a "disable uninstall" feature for added control. 
• The application can be synchronized between desktop and mobile devices.

Pricing Plan: 

Free ‍

7. Forest

Forest turns website blocking into a gamified experience to help you stay focused. When you activate Forest, you can grow a virtual forest as long as you avoid using any apps or websites. If you succumb to the temptation and use your device, a tree in your virtual forest will be eliminated. Moreover, Forest collaborates with Trees for the Future, an organization that plants real trees. By spending virtual coins earned in the app to plant a tree, a corresponding amount is donated to Trees for the Future for real-life reforestation efforts.

Pricing Plans:

• Android: $3.99
• iOS: $3.99

Notable Features:

• Gamified approach to website blocking
• Collaborates with Trees for the Future for real tree planting
• Android and iOS apps are available

8. Serene

Exclusive to Mac OS, Serene is a website blocker that helps you create an ideal deep work environment. Apart from blocking distracting websites and apps during your focused sessions, Serene offers additional features like silencing your phone, updating your Slack status, and controlling Internet-connected lights. These additional functionalities aim to create an uninterrupted work atmosphere and boost productivity.

Pricing Plans:

• Free Plan: All features. 10 free deep work hours.
• Monthly: $4.00 per month

Notable Features:

• Focuses on creating an ideal deep work environment
• Integrates with various productivity tools and devices
• Exclusive to Mac OS‍

9. 1Focus

Another Mac OS-exclusive website blocker, 1Focus offers a straightforward approach to blocking websites. The features available vary between the free and pro versions. The free version allows blocking specific apps, internet access through web browsers and the App Store, and setting block durations between one minute and one day. Active blocks cannot be bypassed, ensuring you stay on track, and will help you block websites for a digital detox. The pro version introduces additional features like recurring blocks, blocking all websites or apps except specific ones, creating separate block lists for different tasks, suspending blocking for a limited time, blocking URL keywords using asterisks, and blocking websites by category.

Pricing Plans:

• Free (limited features)
• Pro version

Notable Features:

• Free version with basic website blocking features
• Pro version with advanced functionalities for greater customization
• Exclusive to Mac OS, compatible with popular browsers‍

10. Antisocial

Antisocial is a remarkable website blocker that goes beyond simply blocking distracting websites. It provides a comprehensive solution to help you manage your digital well-being with clever monitoring and even offers a parental control option. With Antisocial, you can set personalized time limits for different websites, ensuring you don't spend excessive time on non-productive platforms. 

Notable Features:

• Customizable time limits for websites
• Detailed reports on Internet usage
• Ability to block distracting apps and websites
• Social media and website usage analytics

Pricing Plans:

• 14-Day Free Trial
• Then $3.50 per month‍

11. Cold Turkey Blocker

Cold Turkey Blocker is a powerful website and application blocker that provides a robust solution for maintaining focus and productivity. With its intuitive interface, Cold Turkey Blocker allows you to block specific websites, applications, or even the entire internet during designated periods. It offers flexibility and customization options to align with your unique needs. 

Noteworthy Features:

• Ability to schedule specific blocking periods
• Option to block websites, applications, or the entire internet
• Highly customizable settings for personalized blocking rules
• Focus mode to eliminate distractions during important tasks

Pricing Plan:

• Free Plan: Free with limited features
• Lifetime Access: $39, offering full features and customization options

12. FocusMe

FocusMe is a comprehensive website blocker designed to maximize productivity and eliminate distractions. This powerful tool allows you to create customized blocklists, schedule focused work sessions, and track your progress over time. FocusMe offers a range of features to help you regain control over your online activities. 

Notable Features:

• Customizable blocklists for websites and applications
• Advanced scheduling options for focused work sessions
• Non-negotiable “Force Mode” for serious users 
• Detailed reports and statistics on Internet usage

Pricing Plan:

• Monthly: $7.95 per month
• Yearly: $4.00 per month
• 2 Years: $2.71 per month

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13. Limit Chrome Extension

Limit Chrome Extension is a handy block site extension that allows you to set time limits for specific websites. With Limit, you can allocate a specific amount of time for each website you visit, helping you stay mindful of your online activities and avoid excessive browsing. Once the time limit is reached, the extension blocks access to the website, ensuring you maintain your focus. 

Notable Features:

• Set customizable time limits for websites
• Track and manage your online time effectively
• Receive notifications when the time limit is about to expire
• Works seamlessly with the Google Chrome browser

Pricing Plan:

Free‍

14. Mindful Browsing

Mindful Browsing is a Chrome website blocker that aims to promote intentional and mindful internet usage. With its user-friendly interface and customizable features, Mindful Browsing helps users become more aware of their online habits and make conscious choices about their browsing activities. This blocker allows you to set specific time limits for websites, track your browsing history, and receive reminders to stay focused. By encouraging intentional internet usage, Mindful Browsing helps users maximize their productivity and maintain a healthier online presence.

Notable Features:

• Receive a popup asking if you want to browse and website
• Reminders every ten minutes
• Beautiful imagery 

Pricing Plan:

Free

15. Ochi

Ochi is an innovative app and website blocker on iOS and Mac that provides features such as filter automation and website categories to enhance productivity and focus. This powerful tool adapts to your unique browsing habits and intelligently blocks websites that tend to distract you the most. Ochi offers an intuitive user interface and provides insightful analytics to help you understand your internet usage patterns. With its intelligent blocking capabilities, Ochi helps users regain control over their digital lives and optimize their productivity.

Notable Features:

• Customizable settings to define blocked websites and time limits
• Detailed analytics and reports on Internet usage patterns
• An intuitive user interface for seamless navigation‍

Pricing Plan

Free with in-app purchases

16. Pause Chrome Extension

Pause Chrome Extension is a simple yet effective site blocker for Chrome designed to help users stay focused and minimize distractions. With Pause, you can temporarily pause browsing, giving yourself a much-needed break from the digital world. This extension allows you to set the duration of the pause period, during which all websites are inaccessible. By providing users with the ability to take intentional breaks from browsing, Pause Chrome Extension is one of the best free website blockers and promotes mindful internet usage and improved productivity.

Notable Features:

• Temporarily pause all browsing activity
• Set the duration of the pause period
• Customize settings to align with personal preferences
• Simple and user-friendly interface

Pricing Plan:

Free

17. PawBlock

PawBlock is a website blocker that helps prevent procrastination and excessive surfing. It will block distracting sites to help foster high productivity and maintain focus. Simply by configuring a blacklist of websites, PawBlock will help you get back on track by preventing you from procrastinating.

Notable Features:

• Customizable settings to define blocked websites and categories
• Simple and user-friendly dashboard
• Compatible with Chrome

Pricing Plan:

Free 

18. RescueTime

RescueTime is a full website blocker that helps users track and manage their digital productivity. With its powerful analytics and time-tracking features, RescueTime offers valuable insights into how time is spent online. This tool helps you understand your habits, set goals, and make informed decisions about how to allocate your time effectively. RescueTime empowers users to optimize their productivity by identifying and reducing time spent on non-essential websites and applications.

Notable Features:

• Time-tracking and detailed analytics of Internet usage
• Goal-setting and productivity reports
• Block distracting websites and applications
• Set alerts and reminders to stay focused

Pricing Plan:

• 2-week free trial
• Starts at $6.50 per month‍

19. SelfControl

SelfControl is a free and open-source website blocker that prioritizes simplicity and effectiveness. Designed for Mac users, SelfControl allows you to create custom block lists of websites and applications, enabling you to focus on your work without the temptation of distracting online content. Once the blocking session is activated, you cannot access the blocked websites or applications until the timer expires, ensuring utmost productivity and self-discipline.‍

Notable Features:

• Create customized blocklists for websites and applications
• Set timers for blocking sessions
• Inability to bypass active blocks during the session
• Compatible with Mac OS

Pricing Plan:

Free‍

20. StayFocusd

StayFocusd is a Chrome website blocker that assists users in managing their time spent on specific websites. With StayFocusd, you can set time limits for different websites, restricting your access after the allocated time has been exhausted. This extension promotes discipline and helps users avoid time-wasting activities, enabling them to allocate their online time more efficiently.‍

Notable Features:

• Set time limits for websites to control browsing time
• Restrict access to blocked websites after the time limit is reached
• Customizable settings and flexible options
• Browser extension for Google Chrome

Pricing Plan:

Free‍

21. WasteNoTime

WasteNoTime is a block site extension for Safari and Chrome that is inspired by James N. Anderson's LeechBlock Firefox extension.  With its range of features, WasteNoTime allows you to set strict time limits for websites, track your browsing habits, and create detailed reports on your online activities. This powerful tool empowers users to take control of their digital lives by blocking access to nonessential websites and encouraging more focused and intentional internet usage.

Notable Features:

• Set time limits for websites to control browsing time
• Track and analyze your browsing habits with detailed reports
• Block access to distracting websites during designated times

Pricing Plan:

Free

Conclusion

The Internet is a fantastic resource but can also be a huge distraction. If you feel your productivity is suffering due to your attachment to the Internet, it might be time to start using some website blockers.

You might also want to set up a daily schedule in which you block certain websites for a certain amount of time. This way, you won't give in to temptation throughout the day.

If you're looking for a way to block websites and apps so you can be more present in your life, Opal is here to help. Opal, the #1 Screen Time App, is designed to help you schedule your days, block distracting apps and focus fully on any device.

Here's How to Block Apps With Opal:

• Download Opal from the App Store and sync the Chrome extension;
• Create an App Group to block specific social media sites;
• Start a session.

Yes, it's that easy! While you'll still be able to open your apps, you won't be able to refresh your feed and see any new posts.

Say hello to focusing on better things.