The LeechBlock NG Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about LeechBlock NG in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
LeechBlock NG
The Insider’s Guide
Free browser extension that blocks time-wasting sites on a schedule
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among focus apps, read from LeechBlock NG’s own pages.
Made by James N. Anderson · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from LeechBlock NG’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on LeechBlock NG’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 41 of the 65 other focus apps we grade
LeechBlock NG is a free browser extension that blocks chosen websites at the times you set. Sites are grouped into up to 30 block sets, each with its own days and either fixed time periods, a time limit or a combination of the two. It runs in Firefox, Chrome, Edge and other Chromium-based browsers, and is developed as a hobby project by James N. Anderson, who publishes the source code on GitHub.
To get you started, here are 7 things to know about LeechBlock NG, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Setup takes an evening, there's no macOS or iOS version, and a blocked site may still get a brief connection.
- 1
Best for free, fine-grained site blocking in your browser
It only works inside the browser it's installed in, so other browsers and desktop apps carry on.
- 2
It is free
LeechBlock NG has no paid plan at all. 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.
- 3
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.
- 4
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.
- 5
Lockdown
Blocks the sites in chosen block sets immediately for a duration you specify, outside their normal schedule.
- 6
A 2.8 GPA, above 41 of 65
That is against the other focus apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 7
Keep it
LeechBlock NG is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
LeechBlock NG at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Browser extension
- Made by
- James N. Anderson, since 2017
- Category
- Focus Apps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for free, fine-grained site blocking in your browser
LeechBlock NG is a free browser extension that blocks the sites you pick at the times you choose, or rations them, say 10 minutes in every hour. It only works inside the browser it's installed in, so other browsers and desktop apps carry on. Setup takes an evening, there's no macOS or iOS version, and a blocked site may still get a brief connection.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Entirely free, with no paid version to graduate to, in a category where the usual ask is $2.99 to $8.33 a month. One developer builds it as a hobby and publishes the source on GitHub. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole extension is free: 30 block sets, time limits, lockdown, password pages and the rest. There is nothing to upgrade to and nothing held back. |
| Features | C | Up to 30 sets of sites with their own days and times, blocks by period or time limit, lockdown, delay pages, password-guarded settings, wildcards and keywords. It does browser site blocking completely, and that's the limit: desktop apps and your other browsers carry on untouched. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record, and this one asks for an evening. Thirty block sets, periods, limits, rollovers, override caps, wildcards and keywords all live in an options page you'll be reading carefully. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | An extension for Firefox, Chrome, Edge and other Chromium browsers, and nothing besides. No macOS or iOS version: the site points to ivBlock, a different product. No integrations listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who LeechBlock NG is for
- Fits if you want a free site blocker inside the browser you already use
- Works for people who'd rather ration a site, like 10 minutes in every hour, than ban it
Who it is not for
- Skip it if your distractions are desktop apps or another browser, which it doesn't touch
- Not for you if you want parental controls, as the developer says it isn't designed for that
- Too light for anyone who wants no connection at all to a blocked site, where the developer suggests a HOSTS-level blocker
- Skip it if you want it on macOS or iOS, since there's no version there and the site points to ivBlock instead
- Watch out: block sets, periods, limits and overrides all live in one long options page that takes time to learn
Good to know
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
LeechBlock NG is free to use.
One developer builds it as a hobby and publishes the source on GitHub.
LeechBlock NG
$0
The complete extension: up to 30 block sets, time periods and time limits, lockdown, delaying and password pages, and access controls.
The 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.
Read from proginosko.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Browser extension
Free browser extension that blocks time-wasting sites on a schedule. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, site & app blocker.
It does browser site blocking completely, and that's the limit: desktop apps and your other browsers carry on untouched.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Browser extension
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
LeechBlock NG is made by James N. Anderson, and has been around since 2017.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
41/65
Other focus apps it is graded above
LeechBlock NG's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 41 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 53 of 65) and worst on ease of use (C, above 0).
LeechBlock NG has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 66 focus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. LeechBlock NG’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 40 of 65
- AFree plan and trialAbove 53 of 65
- CFeaturesAbove 3 of 65
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 65
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 8 of 65
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 56 focus apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. LeechBlock NG is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
LeechBlock NG is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could not
- Blocking that reaches every browser and app and is hard to switch off.
What this rests on. LeechBlock NG’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
StayFocusd, BlockSite, Cold Turkey Blocker, SelfControl and Freedom
The 5 tools LeechBlock NG is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
StayFocusd
Free
Free Chrome and Edge extension that limits time on distracting sites.
- LeechBlock NG is open source, according to its own site.
- StayFocusd also covers time tracking.
- 2.2GPA
BlockSite
Free plan · from $3.99/mo
Website and app blocker for browsers and phones.
- Only BlockSite lists iOS and Android apps.
- LeechBlock NG is open source, according to its own site.
- BlockSite can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Cold Turkey Blocker
Free plan · from $45 one-time
Website and app blocker for Windows and Mac with strict locks.
- Only Cold Turkey Blocker lists macOS and Windows apps.
- LeechBlock NG is open source, according to its own site.
- Cold Turkey Blocker can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
SelfControl
Free
Free Mac app that blocks distracting sites until a timer ends.
- Only LeechBlock NG lists a browser extension.
- Only SelfControl lists a macOS app.
- 2.2GPA
Freedom
Free plan · from $3.33/mo
Website and app blocker that runs across computers and phones.
- Only Freedom lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- LeechBlock NG is open source, according to its own site.
- Freedom can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is LeechBlock NG free?
Yes. LeechBlock NG is free to use.
How much does LeechBlock NG cost?
LeechBlock NG lists one plan. LeechBlock NG: $0.
Does LeechBlock NG have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. LeechBlock NG is listed for no platform we could confirm.
Does LeechBlock NG have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. LeechBlock NG is listed for no platform we could confirm.
Is LeechBlock NG open source?
Yes. LeechBlock NG is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes LeechBlock NG?
LeechBlock NG is made by James N. Anderson.
What are the alternatives to LeechBlock NG?
The closest alternatives to LeechBlock NG in our directory are StayFocusd, BlockSite, Cold Turkey Blocker, SelfControl and Freedom.
How does LeechBlock NG compare with other focus apps?
LeechBlock NG's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 41 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 9.
Is LeechBlock NG good value for money?
ToolGPA grades LeechBlock NG A for value for money. LeechBlock NG has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of LeechBlock NG?
LeechBlock NG is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: Blocking that reaches every browser and app and is hard to switch off.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from LeechBlock NG’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from LeechBlock NG's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-01-25.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by James N. Anderson. Prices change, so check proginosko.com before you buy.
- proginosko.com/leechblock/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/install/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/documentation/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/faq/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/faq/for-sale/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/faq/macos-ios/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/faq/privacy/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/faq/source-code/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/faq/keywords/
- proginosko.com/leechblock/version-history/
- github.com/proginosko/LeechBlockNG
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- LeechBlock NG, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/leechblock-ng
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "LeechBlock NG: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/leechblock-ng
Know someone choosing between focus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/leechblock-ng/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded focus apps after LeechBlock NG, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Focus Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 66 focus apps we grade, compared
- ScreenZen Insider's GuideFree app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites3.6 GPA
- Flora Insider's GuideFree focus timer that grows trees, alone or with friends3.2 GPA
- Flow Insider's GuideMinimal Pomodoro timer for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what LeechBlock NG’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. LeechBlock NG is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by James N. Anderson. Prices and plans change: check proginosko.com before you buy.