1Focus vs Freedom
1Focus
onefocusapp.com
Freedom
freedom.toSide by side
| Figure | 1Focus | Freedom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.83/mo | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · Distraction Blocking Software | 8.4 (#4) | 9.0 (#1) |
| App blocking | The free version blocks unlimited apps, including email apps. | Freedom can block desktop apps on Mac and Windows as well as apps on mobile platforms. |
| Internet blocking | It can block internet access by blocking installed web browsers and the App Store. | Freedom offers sessions that block the entire internet. |
| Privacy | The app does not collect personal data, upload data, or store which apps or websites users visit; Pro contacts the site for category updates and sends only the current category version number. | The company says desktop and mobile blocking runs locally and that browsing or app activity is not logged or transmitted by the blockers. |
| Purpose | 1Focus blocks distracting websites and apps to help users stay focused. | Freedom blocks distracting apps, websites, or the entire internet to help people focus. |
| Scheduling | Pro supports recurring blocks, including schedules such as weekdays during working hours. | Freedom supports advance and recurring schedules that can start blocking sessions automatically. |
| Support | The support page asks users to email the maker and says to check spam if no reply arrives within two business days. | Users can contact support through the account messenger or email, and the help page describes an automated first response with an option to request a human agent. |
| Website blocking | The free version blocks unlimited websites in Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc. | Users can block distracting websites using selected or custom blocklists. |
Plans
Freedom
- FreeFree
- Premium (monthly)$8.99 a month
- Premium (yearly)$40 a year
- Forever$99.50, paid once
In their own words
1Focus
1Focus is a macOS app that blocks distracting websites and apps to help users focus. Its free version can block unlimited websites in Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera and Arc, as well as unlimited apps, including email apps. It can also block internet access by blocking installed web browsers and the App Store. Free blocks are limited to six hours; Pro allows longer durations and adds recurring schedules, allowlists, multiple block lists, limited pausing, and URL keyword and category blocking. Scheduling can cover repeating periods such as weekdays during working hours. Users can configure blocks to be difficult to bypass, and a confirmed active block cannot be canceled. The app says it does not collect or upload personal data or store visited apps and websites. For category updates, Pro contacts the site and sends only the current category version number. Created in 2014 by German programmer Niklas Behrens, 1Focus is available free through the Mac App Store and offers a 14-day Pro trial.
Freedom
Freedom blocks distracting apps, websites or internet access to help people focus. It supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, with blocking sessions and schedules that sync across supported devices, including Chromebook. Users can set sessions in advance or have them recur automatically; Locked Mode prevents ending a session early. Website Exceptions let Mac and Windows users allow selected sites while blocking others, but are not supported on iOS, Android or Chromebook. Freedom also offers focus music and ambient sounds, including tracks from Brain.fm. The free plan includes blocking, multi-device sync, custom blocklists and limited features. Premium adds scheduling, advance and recurring sessions, Locked Mode, unlimited sessions and partner perks. Premium costs $3.33 per year when billed yearly or $8.99 per month; a Forever option is $99.50 as a one-time payment. A 7-day trial is listed. Freedom says it does not track browsing, app usage or personal activity.