AppBlock vs Freedom
AppBlock
appblock.app
Freedom
freedom.toSide by side
| Figure | AppBlock | Freedom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · Distraction Blocking Software | 8.2 (#6) | 9.0 (#1) |
| Spec score · Screen Time Management Apps | 8.2 (#9) | 9.2 (#1) |
| Spec score · Focus Tools | 8.2 (#7) | 8.9 (#1) |
| Integrations | The privacy policy lists Google, Facebook, and Apple sign-in options, plus Google Play services, Firebase, AppsFlyer, RevenueCat, Superwall, and Freshdesk among third-party services. | The homepage describes exclusive focus audio tracks from Brain.fm as an included feature. |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says core blocking, configured rules, screen content read for blocking, and detailed usage statistics are processed locally and are not accessible to the operator, subject to stated exceptions. | The company says desktop and mobile blocking runs locally and that browsing or app activity is not logged or transmitted by the blockers. |
| Purpose | AppBlock helps manage screen time and block distracting apps, websites, URLs, and keywords. | Freedom blocks distracting apps, websites, or the entire internet to help people focus. |
| Scheduling | Users can create profiles and run them automatically by time, day, location, or connected Wi-Fi. | Freedom supports advance and recurring schedules that can start blocking sessions automatically. |
| Support | The site links to Android, iOS, and extension help pages, contact support, and feature requests, and invites users to join its Discord community. | 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. |
Plans
Freedom
- FreeFree
- Premium (monthly)$8.99 a month
- Premium (yearly)$40 a year
- Forever$99.50, paid once
In their own words
AppBlock
AppBlock helps manage screen time by blocking distracting apps, websites, URLs, and keywords. Users can create profiles that start automatically by time, day, location, or connected Wi-Fi. Strict Mode makes blocks harder to bypass and includes Cooldown and third-party approval options. Usage limits, app and website tracking, and reports show screen-time habits over time. Allowlist Mode blocks everything except selected essential apps. The iOS feature list includes schedules, Strict Mode, Quick Block, Allowlist, approval access, and Pomodoro sessions. Extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Brave offer Quick Block and scheduled website blocking. The maker presents uses for work, students, parents, ADHD, mental health, and well-being. Its privacy policy says core blocking rules, screen content read for blocking, and detailed usage statistics are processed locally, subject to stated exceptions. Installed-app package names are sent to servers for category-based blocking, and backups upload blocking configuration when that feature is used. The Free plan costs nothing and has platform-specific limits; a 7-day trial is listed.
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.