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The urge to see what the rest of the world is up to is a constant distraction. It’s never been easier to dissociate into Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok. When you work online, it’s especially difficult to stay focused. You can’t simply put your phone away or close your browser.
For those of us who really need help to focus on our work or studies, app blockers can be a lifesaver. Getting an app that blocks social media can be a huge benefit. Luckily, some geniuses out there have developed app blockers that do just that.
1. AppBlock
AppBlock temporarily blocks distracting applications on your phone, so you can spend time on things that need your attention. This Android/iOS app doesn’t track usage. However, it does let you schedule specific times to lock yourself out of certain apps. This can help prevent distraction before it happens.
An optional “strict mode” locks you out of changing the rules, forcing you to focus on your work or studies.
While AppBlock is free, there is a premium subscription option. For $4.99/month or $29.99/year, you can remove ads from the app and unlock features like extra customizable profiles.
Get AppBlock for Android (Free) Get AppBlock for iOS (Free)
2. Flipd
Once you're locked out, that's it.
For those of us who need a huge push into good time management, Flipd may be what you need. Once you lock certain apps on your phone for a set period of time, there’s no going back. Other apps can be bypassed by restarting your phone, but not Flipd. That helps make it the ultimate distraction stopper.
It also comes with other features to help you focus, like ambient sounds and lo-fi music streaming, to help you block out the world and stay on the task at hand. You’ll also find social functions like live “study rooms” that you can join with friends. You can use the free version as long as you like. A premium version with additional timers and features runs for $5.99/month or $42.99/year.
3. Freedom
A VPN blocker prevents your from reloading your distracting sites.
Freedom offers versions of its app for your phone, tablet, or computer. It allows you to block any distracting websites, apps, or even emails. Freedom uses several different technologies to stop these apps from receiving new content. That'll help prevent your device's display from being flooded with distracting notifications.
Better still, this app and website blocker syncs across all of your devices to prevent you from getting distracted, no matter the platform.
Get Freedom for iOS and Android
4. SelfControl
If you don't have any self-control when it comes to computer games, iMessage, email, or social media, you need SelfControl. It's a MacOS app that can block access to websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the internet.
By creating a blacklist of blocked sites and setting an amount of time to block, you’ll improve productivity until the time is up. Be aware that even restarting your computer or deleting the app can’t recover access to what you blocked before the timer ends.
Get SelfControl for MacOS (Free)
5. Cold Turkey
Quit your social media habit cold turkey.
The Cold Turkey browser extension is a great choice for both Apple and Windows computers. You can set time limits to block web pages, the entire internet, or even your whole computer (perfect for forcing yourself to take an occasional break.)
The free version blocks websites for a limited period. There's also a pro version of the extension, which lets you set blocking passwords, schedule blocks, and give yourself breaks and allowances. The pro version works across all your Windows and Mac computers for a one-time $39 payment.
Get Cold Turkey for MacOS or Windows (Free or $39 for Pro)
6. FocusMe
Productive breaks included.
Like most other apps, FocusMe allows you to block certain websites and apps for a limited time. (Or forever, if you’re trying to break a habit like gambling.) To further aid productivity, FocusMe actually reminds you to take breaks periodically. It can also be used as a parental control to limit kids' gaming time or restrict which sites they’re allowed to visit.
FocusMe has a $7.95/month subscription fee. You can also sign up for a year for $47.95, or two years for $64.95
Get FocusMe for MacOS or Windows (starting at $2.71/month for 2 years)
7. WriteRoom
The ultimate space for writing.
Writers, rejoice! WriteRoom is a fascinating writing software meant to minimize distractions. The app creates a full-screen writing environment so you can better focus on getting words down. There’s also a variety of themes to choose from to create your ideal writing station.
The app is inexpensive, but it’s also light on features. It’s great for encouraging focus while drafting a document, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of editing tools. It’s more of a focus aid than a word processor.
Get WriteRoom for MacOS ($4.99)
8. Focus
A motivational quote will stop you in your tracks.
The Focus app blocks distracting websites like Facebook and Reddit on all browsers, for a certain amount of time. When you try to visit these sites, you'll see a motivational quote instead.
Focus includes website/app blocking and timers for a one-time $26 purchase. The $44 professional tier includes scheduling, breaks, and Pomodoro mode.
Get Focus for MacOS (starts at $19)
9. Forest
Forest lets you turn your productivity into virtual—and real—trees.
Forest turns focus into a game. You plant seeds each day that grow when you’re not looking at your phone. Stare at your screen too long, and you get warnings that you’re endangering your trees. Doing well earns in-game coins that you can donate to plant actual, real-world trees.
Get Forest for free or $3.99 on iOS or Android
Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.