LeechBlock NG vs StayFocusd

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

StayFocusd

• Chrome and Edge users who want a free blocker with daily time allowances
• People who want Shorts, Reels and comment sections hidden without blocking a whole site
• Android users who already track phone use with StayFree

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.

StayFocusd

• It runs only as a Chrome or Edge extension; the site says it is not available for Opera and links to no Firefox or Safari version.
• It limits websites only: desktop apps are not blocked, and phone usage comes from the separate StayFree app.
• Sensor Tower's privacy policy says that, with your consent, de-identified website and ad usage data is sent to its servers and used in products it sells.

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.

StayFocusd

Block or time-limit sites

Block a site completely or give it a daily time allowance. Rules can cover whole sites, subdomains, paths, single pages or in-page content such as videos and images.

The Nuclear Option

Blocks sites for the number of hours you specify on the days you choose, and cannot be canceled once it starts. It can be started by hand or on a schedule.

In App Blocking

Hides sections inside YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other social sites, such as shorts, reels, recommended videos and comments.

Usage Metrics Dashboard

Charts and daily reports show the time spent on each website, with historical data for spotting patterns.

Require Challenge

Changing any setting can require completing a difficult task first, which makes it harder to loosen your own limits on impulse.

Pairing with StayFree

Connecting Android devices and other browsers through StayFree shows website and mobile app usage and limits in one place.

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.

StayFocusd

• StayFocusd$0

  The complete extension: site blocking and daily time limits, the Nuclear Option, In App Blocking and the usage dashboard.