Focus Bear

Overview

Focus Bear combines distraction blocking with guided routines and break support across phones and computers. It is best suited to people with ADHD who want help shaping both focused work and daily habits. Its breadth is a strength, but the free plan’s tight caps make Pro the more practical choice for sustained, cross-device use.

Key features

Blocking covers websites and apps, with block and allow lists, scheduled and recurring blocks, locked sessions and a stricter Grizzly Bear mode. That range supports planned, harder-to-exit focus periods rather than only ad hoc blocking. Essentials limits users to five blocking targets and has no AI-powered blocking; Pro removes the target cap and adds AI-powered blocking and focus modes.

Customizable morning and evening routines move through one habit at a time. Essentials allows up to three habits per routine, so it can suit a short checklist but may constrain a more involved sequence. Focus Bear also suggests productivity breaks, detects hyperfocus and suppresses reminders during meetings. The free plan allows three break activities; Pro adds meeting detection, which is particularly relevant to users who want breaks coordinated with meetings.

A computer deep-work block can automatically put a phone into Zen mode and block distracting apps. Focus Bear says cloud sync keeps data and focus modes aligned between devices, making its cross-device approach useful for people who move between a computer and phone during the day. Calendar events can trigger an activity through Late No More when the event title contains fbtrigger followed by a habit or focus-mode name.

Focus Bear says it does not log keystrokes or take screenshots, and logs only user-provided Focus Block and quantified-self information. Its privacy policy says it uses technical and organizational measures under GDPR Article 32 and names AWS and Auth0 among its processors. It describes its approach as research-backed and evidence-based and says it has run a randomized controlled trial to measure impact.

Pricing

Essentials costs nothing. It includes Pomodoro sessions capped at 25 minutes, up to five websites or apps, up to three habits per routine and up to three break activities, but no AI blocking. Those limits make it a sensible way to try a compact routine and a small blocking list; they are restrictive for longer focus sessions or broader blocking.

Pro costs $9.99 a month, billed per month, and includes unlimited website and app blocking, AI-powered blocking, focus modes, focus music, meeting detection and accountability partner features. It is the better fit for users who need more than Essentials’ caps or want the full set of focus tools. A 7-day trial gives prospective subscribers a short opportunity to assess the paid tier.

Platforms

Focus Bear is available on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android. It has no browser extensions, so people who specifically want blocking through an extension should consider another option.

Who it's for

Focus Bear is designed by and for people with ADHD, and its combination of habit guidance, focus blocks and hyperfocus-aware break support reflects that audience. It can also suit anyone seeking structured routines and coordinated blocking across a phone and computer. Australians with disabilities may qualify for the NDIA program, which offers 2,000 people a fully funded one-year premium license, onboarding and support.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Combines morning and evening habit routines, scheduled blocking, phone Zen mode and break support instead of treating distraction as a standalone problem.
• Pros: Broad platform coverage and cloud sync support switching between mobile and desktop devices.
• Cons: Essentials caps sessions at 25 minutes, blocking at five targets, routines at three habits and breaks at three activities, limiting users with longer sessions or more complex plans.
• Cons: AI-powered blocking and several Pro features require a monthly subscription, and there are no browser extensions.

Alternatives

Distraction Blocking Software is the category directory for comparing blockers. Choose Freedom if you want a freemium blocker with apps, websites or internet blocking, multi-device sync, custom blocklists and website exceptions; its Free plan has limited features. Phone-Free 2FA is a free option for browser-based TOTP accounts, but it has no central recovery or sync, making it a narrower choice than Focus Bear’s routines and focus tools.

Pluckeye offers all its features free. Opal has a free plan with one rule, basic timers and soundscapes, app blocking and an Opal Score for today. ScreenZen keeps its core app free, with optional donations. Focuser is a free, open-source blocker. AppBlock is a freemium alternative. Focus Fence is a freemium option for iOS and macOS.

Verdict

Choose Focus Bear if you want one cross-device app to connect daily habits, structured blocking and breaks, especially if ADHD-specific design matters to you. Its main advantage is that it addresses routines and work-life boundaries as well as distractions. Look elsewhere if you need browser extensions or want generous blocking and session limits without paying monthly.