Cold Turkey Blocker vs Focus Bear

Cold Turkey Blocker

• People who talk themselves out of softer blockers mid-session
• Buyers who want a one-time purchase instead of a subscription
• Blocking desktop applications and games as well as websites

Focus Bear

• People with ADHD or autism who want guided routines, not only a blocker
• Blocking the same distractions on a computer and a phone at once
• Desk workers who want break reminders that stay quiet during calls

Cold Turkey Blocker

• Windows and macOS only: the vendor states that Linux, ChromeOS, Android and iOS are not supported.
• The free version blocks websites only; application blocking, schedules, locks, breaks and allowances need Pro.
• The vendor's pricing page did not show the Pro price as readable text; the $45 figure comes from a Zapier roundup updated in August 2026.

Focus Bear

• The free Essentials plan caps focus sessions at 25 minutes, blocking at 5 websites and apps, routines at 3 habits and breaks at 3 activities.
• AI-powered blocking, focus modes, focus music, meeting detection and accountability partner features need Pro.
• Billing is monthly; yearly billing has to be arranged by emailing support, and no yearly price is published.
• The US App Store lists a Monthly Plan purchase at $2.99, well below the $9.99 on the pricing page, and the vendor's pages do not explain the difference.

Cold Turkey Blocker

Website blocking with wildcards

Block whole domains, single URLs, YouTube channels or search keywords, using wildcards for patterns. Blocking everything and listing exceptions turns it into an allow list.

Application blocking

Pro blocks applications or whole folders of them. On Windows it can also block Microsoft Store apps and match on window titles.

Locks

A block can be locked by timer, time range, delay, restart, password or a string of random text up to 5,000 characters. A locked block also prevents uninstalling the app.

Weekly schedule

Pro lets you drag blocks onto a schedule that repeats every week, and can lock, log off or shut down the computer at set times.

Breaks and allowances

Pro adds Pomodoro cycles that switch blocking on and off, time allowances for blocked items, and breaks earned after a set period of work.

Usage statistics

Tracks website and application use to show your main distractions. The data stays on your computer and can be exported as JSON.

Focus Bear

Cross-device distraction blocking

Block lists and allow lists apply across Mac, Windows, iOS and Android together. By default the app asks whether you really need a site; Grizzly Bear mode blocks anything not explicitly allowed.

Morning and evening routines

Set up a routine once and the app guides you through its habits one at a time each day, blocking distractions while the routine runs.

Break reminders that detect meetings

Prompts short breaks with stretch and movement demos, recommended every 20 minutes. Reminders are held back while the app detects you are on a call.

AI distraction detection

Tell the app what you are working on and it nudges you back when you drift to something unrelated. The vendor says it does not log keystrokes or capture the screen.

Zen mode for your phone

Starting a deep work block on the computer puts the phone into Zen mode, where only the apps you need stay reachable until the session ends.

Pomodoro timer and to-do list

Timed focus sessions sit alongside a to-do list and a browser tab limiter. Free sessions stop at 25 minutes; Pro can chain consecutive sessions for bigger tasks.

Cold Turkey Blocker

• Blocker Free$0

  Website blocking, website exceptions, timed blocks and statistics.

• Blocker Pro$45

  one-time purchase

  Adds application blocking, scheduled blocks, all locking features, breaks and allowances, and passwords. One purchase covers every computer you personally use.

Focus Bear

• Essentials$0

  Pomodoro sessions up to 25 minutes, up to 5 blocked websites and apps, 3 habits per routine, 3 activities per break, tab limiter and to-do list.

• Pro$9.99

  per month, billed monthly

  Unlimited website and app blocking, AI-powered blocking, consecutive Pomodoro sessions, focus modes, focus music, meeting detection and strictness levels.

Cold Turkey Blocker

• Education

  Students can request 20% off

  The pricing page says students can request 20% off through a link in the support page FAQ, which checks that the email address belongs to a school.

• Other savings

  Save 10% on the three-product bundle

  Buying Blocker, Writer and Micromanager together is advertised at 10% off. Each is a one-time payment with no subscription.

Focus Bear

• Education

  50% discount for students

  The pricing page offers students 50% off Pro: enter an official school email address and Focus Bear sends a discount code to use at checkout.

• Other savings

  Discounts for financial hardship

  Focus Bear says people experiencing financial hardship, including hardship due to disability, can request a discount by emailing its support team. It notes that not every request is granted.