No matter how easy our lives have become since the birth of technology, we’re currently paying the price.
These days, we’re easily distracted by online activities, hardly finding time to focus on what truly matters – both on a personal and professional level.
Social media is the new dopamine high and the more we continue to feed it, the more our productivity level dwindles. BlockSite is one of the productivity tools created to help remove all sorts of distractions and redirect our focus, especially when at work.
The idea is to proactively restrict access to sites and apps that tempt you to pick up your phone whenever a notification pops in. You do this by blocking these sites on all your devices whenever you’re at work.
Additionally, you can create a custom redirect page whenever you’re tempted to open a blocked site plus you can’t easily uninstall the tool once it’s on your device.
In total, BlockSite is a good idea to stay focused and productive while effectively managing your time. This tool comes as a Chrome extension and has a free version that you can use in the meantime.
That said, there are several alternatives to BlockSite you can explore – Freedom.to, SelfControl, Cold Turkey, FocusMe, LeechBlock, StayFocusd, and RescueTime to name a few.
While some are paid tools, others are free to use but one feature is certain – they are all geared towards helping you minimize online distractions while at work.
If you want to learn more about them, stick around.
Best BlockSite Alternatives
1. FocusMe
FocusMe rightly believes that time is your most valued resource and so has created a solution to ensure that you conquer your digital distractions. This productivity tool helps you not only to block time-sucking websites and apps but also limits your usage.
Additionally, rather than focusing on multiple tasks at once, FocusMe allows you to pay undiluted attention to important tasks. Since the app is highly customizable, you can set launch limits that only require you to open your email a certain number of times per day.
Interestingly, FocusMe goes beyond blocking sites or apps for a limited amount of time, you can block them forever and only check in during emergencies. If you want to only limit how Windows Explorer accesses a particular folder on your computer, it’s easily done.
Unlike BlockSite, FocusMe comes with an activity tracker that helps to provide a breakdown of your activities online each day. Whether you’re spending long hours instead of minutes sorting emails or scrolling endlessly on Facebook, you’ll see the results at the end of the day.
All of these features ensure that you don’t let guilty online pleasures lure you off your goals and you can build better habits and willpower.
FocusMe works on both macOS, Linux, and Windows. There are also browser extensions and an Android app that you can download for free on PlayStore.
For the paid version, there is a 60-day unconditional money-back guarantee.
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2. Freedom.to
As the name suggests, Freedom.to sets you free from social media addictions so that you can manage your screen time better, be incredibly focused, and live a more productive life.
Like BlockSite, you’ll be blocking websites and apps during work time or whenever you want to focus on a specific task. You can even block the internet if you want to.
In addition to that, Freedom.to comes with a preset list where you can select websites and apps and add them to your block list. If you’re creating a customized blocklist, there’s no limit to the number of apps you can block.
There’s also an advanced scheduling feature that ensures that your future sessions start automatically each day. This way, your goal to restrict social media addiction becomes a habit and not just a one-off attempt.
Freedom.to’s locked mode is also another feature that stands out in this tool but is absent in BlockSite. This is needed for days when your willpower to stay offline is weak and needs an extra boost.
The most interesting part is that the app comes with an ambient noise to aid your focus especially if you’re working from home.
Whether you want to feel like you’re working at a cafe, library, office, or sitting with nature, there’s an ambient noise that transports you there.
As much as the app isn’t free, the browser extensions are available for you. You can also download the Android version from the Play Store and the iOS version from Apple Store.
Overall, Freedom.to is easy to navigate and even provides you with details of your sessions. This is important if you’re working with accountability partners.
You can even keep notes of these sessions so you know what you’ve accomplished and track your progress accordingly.
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3. Serene
Serene helps you shield yourself from distractions. That five-minute quick scroll on Facebook could turn into hours and at the end of the day, you’re left with unfulfilled goals and a frustrated heart.
This app comes with a lot of interesting features that ensure that your distractions don’t hold you back. However, bear in mind that, unlike BlockSite which works on Android, Serene is strictly a macOS app.
But regardless, both tools work seamlessly in blocking distracting apps and websites. To ensure that you start the day right, Serene pushes you to have a defined goal every day and then breaks it down into sessions.
That is to say, you can always plan and achieve your goals. Additionally, you’re able to prioritize your goals and stick to the ones that matter the most to you.
You can also customize the length of your work sessions and even take timed breaks in between. The goal is to work smarter and not harder, after all.
The most fascinating part is that if you want to enter into the deep work mode, you can silence your phone, restrict internet-connected lights, and even update your Slack status.
For users who prefer working with music, Serene also has them covered, ensuring that they stay focused throughout the work period. The tool has a free trial and the paid version goes for just $4 per month.
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4. Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey typically means an abrupt and complete cessation of a habit or behavior and I think that describes the goal of this software.
Much like BlockSite, this app aims to boost your productivity level by helping you block websites, games, and applications that will distract you.
When blocking websites, you can either use the tools default distraction list, or create your list where you can add as many websites as you want. You can also block domains, YouTube channels, and even specific URLs.
And on days when you need to pull back from online activities, you can block the entire internet with just a few clicks. But that’s not all. When you want to take a break from your workstation, the app allows you to block your computer.
Another feature that captivated me with Cold Turkey is that it leaves you with a motivational quote after blocking a website or app. You’ll see this quote whenever you try to access the page and it reminds you that you should be working.
Aside from that, you can schedule blocks and allow them to start automatically every week. This means that you only need to set up a block once and it takes up from there.
Most times, you might be tempted to disable a block. To ensure that you don’t fall for it, you can use the “Locked Block” feature to automatically stop yourself from being able to disable the extension or uninstall the app. BlockSite shares this feature too.
Above all, Cold Turkey pro users can choose to take breaks while working and they can also keep track of what they spend their time on including the websites and applications that take their time.
The app comes in two versions – Blocker Free and Blocker Pro. While Blocker Free works on both Windows and macOS, Blocker Pro gives you lifetime access at just $39.
It can be downloaded from the app’s official website.
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5. StayFocusd
StayFocusd does exactly as the name implies which is to keep you focused during your work hours by limiting the amount of time you spend on time-consuming websites. Unlike BlockSite, this tool comes only as a Google Chrome extension and is also free to use.
Aside from blocking certain websites, you can go the extra mile to restrict the entire internet if you want to. This way, you can focus as much as possible on your work and not be distracted.
You can even set the days you want the tool to block certain sites. That is to say, you can choose to customize it such that it functions only during your working days.
There’s also the “Nuclear Mode” feature that automatically blocks websites once you’re about to get busy with work. But of course, you get to choose how and when this feature will be enabled.
You can get the tool from the Chrome Web Store and Microsoft Edge Store.
6. SelfControl
This is another app that helps you manage your time online by blocking your access to all distracting websites, mail servers, games, and apps.
While BlockSite works on both Windows and macOS and has a paid version, SelfControl is built solely for macOS devices.
The tool is easy to navigate. You only need to set the required time for the block, then add the sites you want to restrict on your blocklist before clicking the “Start” button.
It’s best if the timer properly accommodates your work hours. The best part is that until the time expires, you can’t access those blocked websites and it doesn’t matter whether you restart your computer or delete the app from your device.
The tool is available for download at the official website.
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7. RescueTime
If you’re looking for a digital buddy to help you stay focused, manage your time effectively, and even cheer you on, RescueTime is your best bet.
It’s like having a personal assistant that helps you kickstart your day by checking your meeting schedule and ensuring that you remain focused throughout the day.
But aside from being a time tracker, RescueTime is best at refocusing your distraction. You see those moments when you’re working and suddenly you want to pick up your phone and reply to a notification, this tool helps you to surpass that urge.
You can block all distracting sites during work sprints. At the end, you get a little report card on how well you stayed focused the entire period.
There’s a free trial to get you started and you can download the app either from Play Store or Apple Store.
8. Ahero
Ahero is another productivity tool that shares a lot of similarities with BlockSite. First, you can restrict your access to tempting websites and apps to keep your deep workflow smooth and uninterrupted.
The goal here is to block digital distractions and focus on what truly matters. You can’t carelessly miss a deadline because you are stuck scrolling endlessly on social media.
Interestingly, you’re reminded every day of your goals and vision and I think that’s enough to keep you grounded. The app comes with a vision board which helps you to actively reinforce your bigger goals.
Another interesting feature that makes Ahero stand out is that it allows you to plan your day. You can include your daily tasks in your calendar and get prompted to complete them if you fall short. Take this app as your accountability buddy.
It holds your hand and walks you through building a sustainable work ritual by providing you with weekly reports and setting daily goals. The goal is to maximize the quality of your work hours and not the quantity of time you spend at work.
Overall, Ahero is web-based and you can get on it by signing up on the website.
9. LeechBlock
LeechBlock is another alternative to BlockSite. It’s a productivity tool that comes as a Chrome extension. This means that you can easily install it in your browser and have it block any distracting websites that will suck the life out of your working hours.
It’s free to use and equally easy to navigate. All that’s required of you is to specify which sites you want to block, when, and how long you want to keep them blocked.
From my experience, you can block up to 30 sites and the best part is that you can do that at different times of the day. You can also choose the period you want them blocked.
For example, if your regular working hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, you can fix the block period to suit that. You can also choose to include a time limit of like 10 minutes for every hour so you can take breaks.
Like BlockSite, LeechBlock allows you to set passwords or even generate access codes for all the websites blocked. The goal is to slow you down whenever the urge to distract yourself comes up.
Aside from that, rather than completely blocking the sites, you can set a countdown delay timer to access the websites.
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10. PawBlock
PawBlock is best suited for cat lovers. I like the simplicity it exudes and it is free to access.
It comes as an extension on browsers like Chrome and Firefox. One feature that sets this tool apart from BlockSite is that it uses pictures of animals, especially cats to make your productivity journey much more interesting and fun.
After downloading and installing the extension, you go ahead to set your list of blocked sites. You can also import the websites if you have them saved externally.
Once that is done, you go back to working and anytime you try to open a blocked site, you’ll see a cat’s sad face asking if you truly want to continue. If you get back to what you’re doing, the face brightens up.
Reading through the FAQs, I found out that the creator was highly intentional about creating a tool like this and he doesn’t look forward to including premium features that will be paid for.
The best part is that your browsing activities will never be leaked. PawBlock doesn’t use any analytics or tracking services to collect or send users’ data.
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Conclusion
As you have seen, there are a lot of alternatives to BlockSite. While some of them are free to access, others require you to pay a fee to enjoy the full features.
However, I love FocusMe more because it comes with a lot of powerful features that skyrocket your productivity game. Aside from that, it works on almost all devices including macOS, Linux, and Windows.
There are also browser extensions and an Android app that you can download for free on PlayStore to get started.
That said, try not to stay limited to my choice. Feel free to explore other productivity tools and find the one that works best for you.
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