Cold Turkey alternatives: 5 blockers compared (2026)

Cold Turkey is a good blocker for one Windows or Mac computer, paid once. People look elsewhere when they need a phone covered, a Linux machine, a schedule that runs itself, or plans that sync between devices. Here are five alternatives, what each is good at, and the catch in each.

Prices and platforms checked on each vendor’s site on 14 October 2026.

Why people look for an alternative

  • Only Windows and Mac. There is no Cold Turkey for Android, iPhone or Linux, and nothing syncs between computers.
  • Scheduling and app blocking are Pro features. The free version blocks websites with timed blocks; schedules, app blocking, breaks and allowances need the one-off Pro purchase.
  • One lock setting. Cold Turkey’s locks are strong, but there is one way to lock a block; there is no accountability partner, no graduated strictness and no emergency route that someone else approves.

The shortlist

FocusMe

  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iPhone

A website and app blocker for Windows, Mac and Linux with Android and iPhone apps that sync to it.

Preis
$17.95 a month, $119.40 a year or $449 once; 14-day free trial, no card. One licence covers 5 computers and 2 mobile devices.
Best for
Anyone who needs the same plans on a computer and a phone, schedules that run themselves, and strictness they can raise over time.
The catch
A subscription unless you buy lifetime, and more settings than Cold Turkey, so the first plan takes a few minutes longer.

Freiheit

  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Chromebook

A subscription blocker for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android and Chromebook that blocks sites and apps in sessions you start or schedule.

Preis
$8.99 a month, $3.33 a month billed yearly, or $99.50 once (on offer from $199 when checked); a 7-day free trial on the yearly plan.
Best for
People on several platforms who want simple scheduled sessions and a locked mode.
The catch
The Linux desktop is not covered, and the locked mode is the only protection level: there is no typing challenge, wait or partner approval between “on” and “off”.

Selbstkontrolle

  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iPhone

A free, open-source Mac app that blocks a list of sites for a set time, with no way to stop the timer early.

Preis
Free.
Best for
Mac users who want one thing done well: block these sites for the next three hours, no exceptions.
The catch
Websites only, no apps, no schedule, no phone, and the timer cannot be extended or edited once it is running.

BlutegelBlock NG

  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Firefox
  • Chrom
  • Rand

A free browser extension for Firefox, Chrome and Edge that blocks or limits sites by time of day with a lockdown option.

Preis
Free.
Best for
People who only need the browser covered and like detailed time rules.
The catch
It lives in one browser, so another browser or the phone is outside it, and an extension can be disabled from the browser’s own settings.

Opal

  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iPhone

A screen-time app for iPhone, Android and Mac with scheduled blocks, app limits and a focus score.

Preis
Free for one rule; Pro $19.99 a month, $99.99 a year or $399 once.
Best for
Phone-first users who want a polished app with habit tracking.
The catch
No Windows or Linux, the free tier is one rule, and desktop blocking is Mac only.

At a glance

ToolPlatformsPreisBest for
FocusMe Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone $17.95 a month, $119.40 a year or $449 once Anyone who needs the same plans on a computer and a phone, schedules that run themselves, and strictness they can raise over time.
Freiheit Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Chromebook $8.99 a month, $3.33 a month billed yearly, or $99.50 once (on offer from $199 when checked) People on several platforms who want simple scheduled sessions and a locked mode.
Selbstkontrolle Mac Free. Mac users who want one thing done well: block these sites for the next three hours, no exceptions.
BlutegelBlock NG Firefox, Chrome, Edge Free. People who only need the browser covered and like detailed time rules.
Opal iPhone, Android, Mac Free for one rule Phone-first users who want a polished app with habit tracking.

Which one?

If Cold Turkey’s one-computer, one-payment model is the only thing that fits, stay with it; it is good at what it does. If the gap is a phone, a Linux machine or plans that sync, FocusMe is the closest in spirit: the same strong blocking, with schedules, four strictness levels and an accountability partner, on every platform you own. For Mac-only and free, SelfControl; for browser-only and free, LeechBlock NG.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Is there a free Cold Turkey alternative?

SelfControl (Mac) and LeechBlock NG (browsers) are free. FocusMe has a 14-day free trial of everything; the mobile apps are free to download.

Which alternative works on Linux?

FocusMe, on Debian-based distributions such as Ubuntu and Mint. None of the others has a Linux app.

Which alternative syncs between a computer and a phone?

FocusMe and Freedom both sync plans or sessions across devices. Cold Turkey, SelfControl and LeechBlock do not.

Can I pay once instead of subscribing?

FocusMe has a lifetime licence and Freedom a forever plan. Cold Turkey Pro is itself a one-off purchase.

Try FocusMe free for 14 days

No card. Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone. 60-day money-back guarantee.

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Compare FocusMe vs Cold Turkey, feature by feature