FocusMe

★ 4.0

Powerful Windows and Mac app and website blocker with granular scheduling and forced session modes

Last verified: May 2026

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Type
app
Pricing
freemium · Free tier available (limited block schedules). Premium $4.99/mo, $34.99/yr, or $79.99 lifetime. Family/team plans available.
Platforms
mac, windows
Targets
all

Strengths

  • ✓ Blocks both websites and desktop apps — most blockers only do one or the other
  • ✓ Granular scheduling engine: block by day-of-week, time range, or specific calendar events
  • ✓ Forced work session mode — can prevent access to settings during an active session
  • ✓ Pomodoro timer built in with customizable work/break intervals
  • ✓ Allowlist mode: block everything except a whitelist of approved sites
  • ✓ Tamper-resistant: removing the app during an active session requires entering a password set during setup

Weaknesses

  • ✕ UI is functional but dated compared to Freedom or Cold Turkey — settings can feel buried
  • ✕ Mac version is less polished than Windows; fewer Mac-specific refinements
  • ✕ Lifetime license price ($79.99) is competitive, but the feature set is similar to Cold Turkey Blocker at $39
  • ✕ Mobile apps (iOS/Android) are not included — desktop only
  • ✕ Small community relative to Freedom/Cold Turkey, so troubleshooting resources are thinner

Best for

Power users on Windows who need granular schedule-based blocking of both apps and websites in a single tool

#distraction-blocker#desktop#scheduling#windows#mac#app-blocker#website-blocker

FocusMe is a Windows and Mac app that blocks both websites and desktop applications on a configurable schedule — including Pomodoro sessions, day-of-week rules, and a tamper-resistant forced-work mode. It fills the gap between Cold Turkey (maximum strictness, basic scheduling) and Freedom (maximum cross-device reach, less granular scheduling).

At a glance

FieldValue
PricingFree tier; $34.99/yr; $79.99 lifetime
PlatformsMac, Windows
Blocks apps + websitesYes (both)
SchedulingYes — day/time/Pomodoro
Tamper-resistantYes (password lock)
Last verifiedMay 27, 2026

What FocusMe does well

  • Apps and websites in one tool. Most blockers do one or the other. FocusMe lets you block reddit.com and Steam in the same schedule, which matters when your distraction shifts between browser and game launcher.
  • Rich scheduling. “Block social media Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, allow Saturday/Sunday” is a few clicks. Freedom can do this too, but FocusMe’s rule editor is more granular on Windows.
  • Pomodoro built in. Set a 25/5 Pomodoro and FocusMe automatically blocks during work intervals and releases during breaks. No need for a separate timer.
  • Tamper protection. Set a password during setup and FocusMe requires it to change any blocking rules during an active session. You have to really want to break the rule.

What FocusMe doesn’t do

  • Mobile blocking. There’s no iOS or Android version. If your phone is the problem, pair it with Opal or ScreenZen.
  • Cross-device sync. Each install is independent. For sync, Freedom is the right tool.
  • Slick UI. FocusMe is functional, not beautiful. If UI polish matters, Cold Turkey or Freedom feel more refined.

Best for

Windows power users who want scheduling, app blocking, and Pomodoro in one tool — especially anyone who loses time to games or Slack as much as to websites.

Alternatives

  • Cold Turkey — $39 one-time, arguably stricter, simpler to set up, Windows/Mac.
  • Freedom — cross-device sync, cleaner UI, $40/yr.
  • SelfControl — free Mac-only unbypassable timer, no Windows support.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions — click any to expand.

Cold Turkey Blocker is $39 one-time and blocks websites and apps with extreme reliability. FocusMe has a richer scheduling engine and Pomodoro built in, but its lifetime license is $79.99. If scheduling complexity matters to you, FocusMe wins. If you just want the strictest block at the lowest price, Cold Turkey.

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