FocusMe vs Freedom
FocusMe
focusme.com
Freedom
freedom.toSide by side
| Figure | FocusMe | Freedom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · Screen Time Management Apps | 8.4 (#6) | 9.2 (#1) |
| Spec score · Distraction Blocking Software | 8.2 (#7) | 9.0 (#1) |
| Spec score · Focus Tools | 8.3 (#6) | 8.9 (#1) |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says optional usage data may include block lists, rules, browsing history, and app usage, and identifies analytics tracking through the desktop application and browser extensions. | The company says desktop and mobile blocking runs locally and that browsing or app activity is not logged or transmitted by the blockers. |
| Purpose | FocusMe blocks distracting websites and apps, sets time limits, and locks focus plans to help users stay focused. | Freedom blocks distracting apps, websites, or the entire internet to help people focus. |
| Support | FocusMe says it usually replies to contact form messages within 24 hours and processes subscription cancellations and refund requests within 24 hours. | 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
FocusMe
- Lifetime$249, paid once
- MonthlyPrice not published
- YearlyPrice not published
Freedom
- FreeFree
- Premium (monthly)$8.99 a month
- Premium (yearly)$40 a year
- Forever$99.50, paid once
In their own words
FocusMe
FocusMe blocks websites and apps to help users manage distractions across desktop and mobile devices. Blocking can target websites, apps, keywords, or categories across more than 15 browsers, or use Whitelist Mode to allow only selected items. Focus plans can set daily or hourly budgets, limit launches, enforce breaks, and schedule sessions; sessions can also be locked. Protection options include password protection, random challenges, Enforced Mode, and accountability partners. Its AI Coach analyzes progress and offers insights and actions. The Android and iOS apps are free to download and include blocking, schedules, and time limits. Premium syncs plans between Windows, Mac, and iPhone; Android sync is in development. Chrome and Firefox extensions offer enhanced URL detection and faster blocking, and an Edge extension is listed. FocusMe has a free plan and a 14-day trial, with paid plans from $9.95/mo; its lifetime option costs $249, paid once. A license covers up to five Windows or macOS computers and two mobile devices.
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.