Freedom vs StayFree

Freedom

• People who want one blocking session to cover a computer and a phone together
• Cutting off the whole internet, not only selected sites, for a set period
• Buyers who would rather pay once for lifetime access than subscribe

StayFree

• People who want screen time stats across phone, desktop and browser
• Anyone looking for an app and website blocker with no paid tier
• Trimming social media feeds without blocking the whole site

Freedom

• Free accounts are limited to Start Now sessions of up to 2 hours; scheduling, recurring sessions and Locked Mode need Premium.
• Linux and Chromebook are supported through the browser extension only, and app blocking is not available on Chromebook.
• Website exceptions, which allow only the sites you list, work on Mac and Windows only.

StayFree

• StayFree is owned by Sensor Tower; its privacy policy says app and website usage data is collected and sold in anonymized, aggregated form.
• Hiding Shorts, reels and other feed sections is described for the browser extension; the iOS listing mentions only usage history, block mode and schedules.
• On Android, website blocking relies on the Accessibility Service permission.
• The Safari extension on the Mac App Store requires macOS 26.5 or later.

Freedom

Website, app and internet blocking

A session can block chosen websites, chosen apps or all internet access. App blocking covers Mac, Windows, iOS and Android but not Chromebook.

Preset and custom blocklists

Start from a preset list of distracting sites and apps or build your own. On Mac and Windows a list can also work in reverse, allowing only the sites you name.

Sessions across devices

One session can include several devices at once, such as a laptop and a phone. Every plan, including Free, allows unlimited devices.

Scheduled and recurring sessions

Premium lets sessions start automatically at a set time and repeat on a schedule. Free accounts can only start a session immediately.

Locked Mode

A Premium setting that prevents a session from being ended before its timer runs out.

Focus sounds

Background audio for a session, with a choice of music and ambient recordings such as cafes, libraries and nature.

StayFree

Four ways to block

Block an app or site immediately, restrict it at set times, cap its daily use, or set a time limit for each session. Daily limits can cover whole categories as well as single apps and sites.

Cross-device usage stats

Charts of app and website use combined across your devices. The Google Play listing says devices can be connected without creating an account, and usage can be exported as CSV.

In-app blocking for social media

The browser extension hides parts of YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Snapchat, such as Shorts, reels, comments and recommendations, without blocking the whole site.

Keyword blocking and over-use reminders

The extension can block any website that displays chosen keywords, and StayFree notifies you when you have spent too long on a site or in an app.

PIN and challenge protection

Require a PIN code, password or text challenge before limits and settings can be changed, to stop impulsive edits.

Focus mode and sleep mode

On Android, focus mode blocks distracting apps at scheduled times and sleep mode disables all apps at the end of the day.

Freedom

• Free$0

  Website, app and internet blocking on unlimited devices with custom blocklists. Start Now sessions only, capped at 2 hours.

• Premium Yearly$3.33

  per month, billed yearly ($39.99)

  Adds scheduled, recurring and start-later sessions, Locked Mode, sessions longer than 2 hours and partner discounts.

• Premium Monthly$8.99

  per month, billed monthly

  The same Premium features as the yearly plan, paid month to month.

• Forever$199

  one-time purchase

  Lifetime Premium access with no recurring charge. The pricing page showed it marked down to $99.50 on the date checked.

StayFree

• StayFree$0

  The complete app on every platform: usage stats, app and website blocking, schedules, daily and session limits, and cross-device sync.

Freedom

• Annual discount

  Lower price with yearly billing

  Premium costs $39.99 billed yearly, shown as $3.33 a month, against $8.99 billed monthly. The pricing page labels the yearly option "Save 40%".

• Lifetime license

  Forever plan: pay once for lifetime Premium

  Freedom sells lifetime Premium access as a single payment with no recurring charges. The list price is $199; the pricing page showed $99.50 on the date checked.

StayFree

No public discounts listed.