The best distraction-blocking tools to boost your focus in the new year

If you’re someone who struggles to stay on task or simply want to boost your productivity heading into the new year, there are many apps and extensions you can try that are designed to help you focus by blocking out distractions.

Whether you need to limit social media scrolling or block out time to be productive, these tools will keep you focused. Here are some of the best options.

freedom

If you want to block distractions across all your devices at once, Freedom is a good option. You can choose which websites and apps you want to block for a specific period of time. So, if you’re working on your laptop and then try to open TikTok on your phone, you won’t be able to, and will instead see a green screen indicating that the app is blocked.

The app allows you to start a session immediately, schedule an upcoming session, or set a recurring session. If you know you need to be free from distractions at a certain time each day, you can set up a Freedom session to start at that specific time automatically.

If your task does not require Internet access, you can block the Internet completely. You can also block all websites except the ones you need to work. If you’re not really confident in your ability to get your work done, you can use the app’s “Locked Mode,” which prevents you from ending your Freedom session early.

Pricing starts at $3.33 per month when billed annually or $8.99 per month when billed monthly, with a $199 lifetime subscription option. Freedom offers a seven-day free trial.

Cold Türkiye

Cold Türkiye is a good option for people who need strict accounting. While many distraction blockers allow you to back out or “cheat,” Cold Turkey makes it nearly impossible to stop a block once you start it.

You can block websites, apps, or even the entire Internet. Once you’ve selected what you want to block, you can set a timer for how long you want the blocking to run. After you start a block, you cannot stop it.

Cold Turkey has a “Frozen Turkey” mode that blocks you from accessing your computer completely. The app also lets you schedule breaks to get away from your computer. If you don’t trust yourself with gentle distraction blockers, this may be the tool you need to stay focused.

Cold Turkey’s basic features are free, but you can unlock scheduling and the option to block apps as well as websites for a one-time fee of $39.

opal

Opal is a focus and screen time app that blocks distracting apps and websites on iPhone, Android, and desktop. You can create “focus blocks” – scheduled periods to block access to specific apps and websites. You can block entire categories like social media, games, and messaging.

You can set one-time blocks or create recurring sessions. For example, you can automatically block access to social media and games during work or school hours.

Opal also lets you set daily usage limits for certain apps to prevent excessive scrolling. You’ll get a “Focus Score” that shows how much time you spend focused versus distracted. The app provides real-time statistics and weekly reports to track your progress.

Opal’s basic features are free to use, but you can unlock unlimited recurring sessions, harder blocking difficulties, and more for $19.99 per month or $99 per year.

LeechBlock NG

LeechBlock is a free browser extension for people who want a straightforward way to block distracting websites. The extension lets you select the sites you want to block, then prevents your browser from loading them.

You can create multiple block groups with different locations, schedules, and limits. The extension allows you to set blocks during specific times of the day or run one-time blocks.

If you don’t want to block a site completely, you can set a countdown delay before the page loads. For example, you can set it so that a site visit starts with a 10-minute timer. You can still access the site once the countdown ends, but the delay may be enough to disrupt your reckless browsing habits.

It’s worth noting that since LeechBlock is a browser extension, you need a little willpower to avoid switching browsers simply to do things like watch Netflix or browse X.

forest

The forest improves productivity while supporting real-world environmental efforts. When you need to focus, you can open the app and plant a virtual tree. The tree grows while you focus until the timer expires. If you leave the application too early, the tree will wither and die.

You can set Allow Lists for different applications that you use to be productive, such as your email application or Microsoft Word. The app also lets you track your productivity.

Over time, you can create a digital forest that represents your productivity. If you’re competitive, you can share your forest with others and compare your progress. As you stay focused and plant virtual trees, you earn coins that can be saved and used to help fund real tree planting projects around the world through the Trees for the Future organization.

Forest browser extension is free. The iOS app costs $3.99, while the Android app is free with ads or $1.99 to remove ads.