Alternatives · Focus
Focus alternatives
Focus compared with 7 alternatives: Cold Turkey Blocker, SelfControl, Freedom, Session, FocusMe and 2 more.
Focus is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29. 5 of the 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| FocusThis tool | Free trial · from $49 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Cold Turkey Blocker | Free plan · from $45 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Browser extension |
| SelfControl | Free | Free | macOS |
| Freedom | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Session | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| FocusMe | Free plan · from $9.95/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| HazeOver | Free trial · from $4.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Vitamin-R | Free trial · from $29.95 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
How each one differs from Focus
- Free plan · from $45 one-time
Cold Turkey Blocker
Website and app blocker for Windows and Mac with strict locks
- Cold Turkey Blocker starts at $45 one-time purchase (Blocker Pro). Focus starts at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29.
- Cold Turkey Blocker has a free plan. Focus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Cold Turkey Blocker lists a Windows app.
- Only Cold Turkey Blocker lists a browser extension.
- Focus also covers time tracking and menu bar app.
Suits: People who talk themselves out of softer blockers mid-session
- Free
SelfControl
Free Mac app that blocks distracting sites until a timer ends
- SelfControl is free. Focus starts at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29.
- SelfControl has a free plan. Focus does not, though it has a free trial.
- SelfControl is open source, according to its own site.
- Focus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Focus also covers Pomodoro timer, time tracking and menu bar app.
Suits: Mac users who want a free blocker they cannot switch off mid-block
- Free plan · from $3.33/mo
Freedom
Website and app blocker that runs across computers and phones
- Freedom starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99). Focus starts at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29.
- Freedom has a free plan. Focus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Freedom lists Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Freedom lists a browser extension.
- Freedom also covers focus music.
Suits: People who want one blocking session to cover a computer and a phone together
- Free plan · from $3.33/mo
Session
Pomodoro focus timer with analytics for Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Session starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99). Focus starts at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29.
- Session has a free plan. Focus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Session lists an iOS app.
- Focus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Focus also covers menu bar app.
Suits: Mac and iPhone users who work in Pomodoro intervals
- Free plan · from $9.95/mo
FocusMe
Website and app blocker with hard-to-bypass enforced plans
- FocusMe starts at $9.95 / month (per the pricing page title); $249 lifetime. Focus starts at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29.
- FocusMe has a free plan. Focus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only FocusMe lists Windows, Linux, Android and iOS apps.
- Only FocusMe lists a browser extension.
- FocusMe also covers tasks.
Suits: People who tend to switch off or uninstall their own blocker
- Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
HazeOver
Mac utility that dims every window except the active one
- HazeOver starts at $4.99 one-time purchase. Focus starts at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29.
- Focus also covers site & app blocker, Pomodoro timer and time tracking.
Suits: Large or multiple displays, where the active window is easy to lose
- Free trial · from $29.95 one-time
Vitamin-R
Time-boxing and Pomodoro timer for the Mac
- Vitamin-R starts at $29.95 one-time purchase (Single User license). Focus starts at $49 one-time purchase (Focus 2); the older Focus 1 is $29.
- Vitamin-R also covers focus music.
- Focus also covers site & app blocker.
Suits: People who keep postponing vague or intimidating tasks
Limits worth knowing in Focus
- Mac only: the vendor lists no Windows, iPhone or Android version.
- There is no free plan; after the 7-day trial a license costs $49, or $129 with lifetime updates.
- The $49 Focus 2 license covers one year of major updates and three years of minor updates.
- Firefox needs the Focus add-on installed; Safari, Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Opera and Vivaldi work without one.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Focus?
The alternatives to Focus in this directory are Cold Turkey Blocker, SelfControl, Freedom, Session, FocusMe, HazeOver and Vitamin-R. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Focus.
Is there a free alternative to Focus?
Yes. SelfControl is free to use. Cold Turkey Blocker, Freedom, Session and FocusMe have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Focus alternatives work on Windows?
The Focus listing does not include a Windows app. Cold Turkey Blocker, Freedom and FocusMe list one.
Which Focus alternatives work on Linux?
The Focus listing does not include a Linux app. FocusMe lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Focus?
SelfControl is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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