LeechBlock NG vs SelfControl
We give LeechBlock NG a 3.4 GPA and SelfControl a 3.0, out of 4.0. LeechBlock NG grades higher on features and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
LeechBlock NG
Free browser extension that blocks time-wasting sites on a schedule
Free
SelfControl
Free Mac app that blocks distracting sites until a timer ends
Free
How we grade them
| 3.4GPALeechBlock NGVery good | 3.0GPASelfControlVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AIt's entirely free and there's no paid version. One developer builds it as a hobby project and publishes the source code on GitHub. | AIt's free and open source under the GNU GPL, and the site lists no paid version. It's a volunteer project. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe complete extension is free: up to 30 block sets, time limits, lockdown, password pages and the rest. There's nothing to upgrade to. | AThe complete app is free: timed blocks, blocklists or allowlists, saved lists and a command-line interface. There's nothing to upgrade to. |
| Features | AUp to 30 sets of sites, each with its own days and times, blocked in fixed periods, after a time limit, or both. Lockdown blocks right now, a delay page makes you wait, and a password or random access code guards the settings. Wildcards and keywords work too. For a site blocker, that's deep. | BBlocks that hold until the timer ends, even after a restart or deleting the app, with a blocklist or an allowlist that can also name mail servers and ports. That's its one job, and it does it hard. But there's no built-in scheduling or recurring blocks, and blocks don't work properly over a VPN. |
| Ease of use | BIt's an extension, so there's no App Store rating to go on and a B is as far as we'll go. It installs into the browser you already use. With this many options, expect to spend a while in the settings. | BWe have no App Store rating on record for it, so a B is as far as we'll go. Set a duration, add your sites, click Start. Firefox has to be quit and restarted after each block starts, and the FAQ warns that support replies can take months. |
| Platforms and integrations | CA browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, Edge and other Chromium-based browsers, and nothing else. There's no macOS or iOS version: the site points to ivBlock, a separate product, for those. No integrations are listed. | DmacOS only. The project's FAQ says there are no plans for Windows, Linux or iOS versions, and no integrations are listed. |
| Best for | free, fine-grained site blocking in your browser | a free Mac blocker you can't switch off mid-block |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: LeechBlock NG and SelfControl. How we grade
Where they differ
- LeechBlock NG is free. SelfControl is free.
- Only LeechBlock NG lists a browser extension.
- Only SelfControl lists a macOS app.
In commonFree planOpen sourceSite & app blocker
At a glance
| LeechBlock NG | SelfControl | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Entirely free: the site calls it a simple free productivity tool and lists no paid version. The source code is on GitHub under the MPL-2.0 license. | Free and open-source software under the GNU GPL. The site lists no paid version. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | James N. Anderson | Charlie Stigler and Steve Lambert |
| Price read from | proginosko.com | selfcontrolapp.com |
| Checked | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
Who each one suits
LeechBlock NG
- People who want a free site blocker inside the browser they already use
- Rationing a site by time allowance rather than blocking it outright
- Users who want fine control with wildcards, keywords and regular expressions
SelfControl
- Mac users who want a free blocker they cannot switch off mid-block
- Blocking a fixed list of sites for a set number of hours
- People who prefer open-source software they can inspect or modify
Worth knowing
LeechBlock NG
- It blocks only inside the browser where it is installed; other browsers and desktop apps are unaffected.
- The developer says it is not designed for parental control or for blocking offensive content.
- There is no macOS or iOS version; the site points to ivBlock, a separate product based on LeechBlock.
- The browser may still connect briefly to a blocked site, so the developer suggests a HOSTS-level blocker when no connection at all is wanted.
SelfControl
- macOS only: the project's FAQ says there are no plans for Windows, Linux or iOS versions.
- A running block cannot be ended early, and the app has no built-in scheduling or recurring blocks.
- Blocks do not work properly over a VPN, and Firefox has to be quit and restarted after each block starts.
- It is maintained by volunteers, almost entirely one person, and the FAQ warns that support replies can take months.
Key features
LeechBlock NG
- Block sets
- Up to 30 sets of sites, each with its own list, days and times. Lists accept wildcards, exceptions and keywords that match words in a page's title or text.
- Time periods and time limits
- Block within fixed periods such as 9am to 5pm, after a time limit such as 10 minutes in every hour, or with both combined. Unused time can roll over to the next period.
- Lockdown
- Blocks the sites in chosen block sets immediately for a duration you specify, outside their normal schedule.
- Delaying and password pages
- Instead of a plain block, a page can show a countdown before letting you through or ask for a password. A custom blocking page can also be set by URL.
- Access control
- A password or a random access code can guard the options page, to slow down any attempt to change settings in a weak moment.
- Temporary override
- An optional override lifts blocks for a set number of minutes, with a cap on how many overrides are allowed in an hour, day or week.
SelfControl
- Blocks that cannot be undone
- Set a duration, add sites to the blocklist and click Start. The block holds until the timer expires, even after a restart or deleting the app.
- Blocklist or allowlist
- Block the domains you list, or switch to an allowlist that permits only its entries. Entries can also name mail servers or specific ports.
- Saved lists
- A list can be saved as a file from the File menu and opened again later or on another Mac, where it replaces the current list.
- Command-line interface
- SelfControl can be run from the Terminal, which lets advanced users write scripts that start blocks.
- Blocks longer than 24 hours
- Longer blocks are possible but hidden by default; the project wiki explains how to enable them and advises testing a list with a short block first.
Plans
LeechBlock NG
LeechBlock NG$0
The complete extension: up to 30 block sets, time periods and time limits, lockdown, delaying and password pages, and access controls.
SelfControl
SelfControl$0
The complete Mac app: timed blocks, blocklists or allowlists, saved lists and a command-line interface.
