“Out of all the website/procrastination blockers which I tried (Freedom, ColdTurkey, HeyFocus, LeechblockNG, etc) this one is the only one which has everything!”
Filip J. via Trustpilot
Head-to-head comparison
FocusMe vs RescueTime: Feature Comparison (2026)
FocusMe and RescueTime both help you be more productive, but they take very different approaches. RescueTime focuses on automatic time tracking with some blocking. FocusMe focuses on powerful, dedicated blocking with usage tracking. Here’s how they compare.
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Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | FocusMe | RescueTime |
|---|---|---|
| Website Blocking | ✓ All browsers, highly robust | ✓ Focus Sessions (Premium) |
| Application Blocking | ✓ | ✓ Focus Sessions (Premium) |
| Game Blocking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Flexible Time Limits | ✓ Per-site & per-app budgets | ✓ Category-based alerts |
| Launch Limits | ✓ Restrict how often apps open | ✗ |
| Pomodoro / Break Timer | ✓ Built-in | ✓ Timer (Premium) |
| Enforced Screen Breaks | ✓ Full-screen overlay with skip protection | ✗ |
| Pause Limits | ✓ Daily count & duration caps | ✗ |
| Enforced Mode | ✓ A running plan cannot be stopped or weakened | ✗ |
| Uninstall Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Password Protection | ✓ Multiple options | ✗ |
| Random Character Challenge | ✓ Configurable length | ✗ |
| Stop Delay | ✓ Configurable wait period | ✗ |
| AI Productivity Coach | ✓ Daily/weekly reports with one-click actions | ✗ The Assistant, goals & alerts |
| Block YouTube Shorts & Reels | ✓ Without blocking YouTube itself | ✗ |
| CLI Plan Control | ✓ Start/stop from terminal | ✗ |
| Plan Library & Templates | ✓ Community plans | ✗ |
| Automatic Time Tracking | ✓ Per-site & per-app | ✓ Industry-leading |
| Project / Billable Hour Tracking | ✗ | ✓ Solo+ and Team+ plans |
| Works Offline | ✓ | Partial |
| Android App | ✓ | ✓ |
| iOS App | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple Blocking Plans | ✓ Unlimited | ✗ |
Key Differences
Blocking vs Tracking
This is the core difference. RescueTime is primarily a time tracker that added blocking as a secondary feature. FocusMe is a dedicated blocker built from the ground up to prevent distractions. If you just need to understand where your time goes, RescueTime excels. If you need to actually stop yourself from visiting distracting sites, FocusMe is far more powerful.
Bypass Resistance & Protection
RescueTime’s Focus Sessions are built to cut distractions, not to hold against you: its site describes no lock, password or uninstall protection. FocusMe’s Enforced Mode with password, random character challenges, and stop delays makes it extremely difficult to bypass. Uninstall protection prevents you from simply removing the app. RescueTime has no enforced mode or uninstall protection.
Screen Breaks & Pause Management
FocusMe includes enforced screen breaks with a full-screen overlay to protect your eyes and prevent burnout. Skip protection ensures you actually rest. Pause limits cap how many breaks you can take per day and for how long. RescueTime does not offer break timers or pause management.
AI Coaching
FocusMe’s AI Coach delivers daily/weekly reports with one-click plan recommendations. RescueTime’s Assistant is a daily overview, with goals and alerts on Premium. FocusMe’s coaching is more action-oriented (it can create blocking plans for you), while RescueTime’s is more analytics-focused.
Where RescueTime Wins
RescueTime has superior time tracking and analytics. Its automatic categorization of activities is excellent, and its Solo+ and Team+ plans add client and project timesheets with billable rates, which FocusMe doesn’t have. If you need to track billable hours or generate detailed productivity reports, RescueTime is the better choice.
What Users Say
Here’s what real users say about choosing FocusMe for blocking:
“This is THE BEST PC self-help program I have ever come across. It’s virtually impossible to get around. Has seriously helped me focus on my schooling and other important aspects of my life.”
Bryan S. via Trustpilot
“I’ve used K9, Mobicip, Cold Turkey, Freedom, you name it. None of those products even come close to FocusMe. Stop wasting time and start making a change in your life today!”
Terry G. via Trustpilot
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FocusMe better than RescueTime?
It depends on what you need. FocusMe is a far more powerful blocker, with Enforced Mode, password protection, enforced screen breaks and uninstall protection. RescueTime is a better time tracker, with detailed analytics, productivity reports, and billable hour tracking. If you need to stop yourself from wasting time, choose FocusMe. If you need to understand how you spend your time, choose RescueTime.
Can RescueTime block websites?
Yes, but its blocking is basic compared to dedicated blockers. RescueTime’s Focus Sessions (Premium) block the apps and websites you have rated distracting, on the computer and, with the apps, on the phone. Its site describes no Enforced Mode, password protection or uninstall protection: they are a nudge, not a barrier.
Can I use FocusMe and RescueTime together?
Yes. Some users use RescueTime for its detailed time tracking and analytics while using FocusMe for its powerful blocking. The two tools complement each other well: RescueTime shows you where your time goes, and FocusMe enforces the boundaries you set.
Does FocusMe track time like RescueTime?
FocusMe includes usage tracking that shows how much time you spend on each website and application, plus an AI Coach that analyzes patterns and gives personalized recommendations. However, it doesn’t offer project-based tracking or billable hour features. FocusMe’s focus is on blocking, not reporting.
How does FocusMe’s pricing compare to RescueTime?
RescueTime costs less: Solo Focus is $84 a year ($7 a month) or $9 monthly, with a 14-day trial, but it is primarily a time tracker, not a blocker. FocusMe is $17.95 a month, $119.40 a year or $449 once for 5 computers and 2 mobile devices, and includes Enforced Mode, uninstall protection, enforced screen breaks and AI coaching. FocusMe offers a 14-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. RescueTime’s prices were checked on rescuetime.com on 14 October 2026.
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