Freedom

Overview

Freedom is a distraction blocker for people who want to restrict apps, websites, or internet access across several devices. It suits work and study routines that benefit from scheduled sessions; its main drawback is that some blocking controls are unavailable on mobile and Chromebook.

Free access covers core blocking, while paid plans add automated schedules, Locked Mode, unlimited sessions, and Premium Perks. Focus audio and cross-device syncing make Freedom broader than a simple blocklist, but platform-specific limits matter if you expect the same controls everywhere.

Compare it with other options in Distraction Blocking Software and Screen Time Management Apps.

Key features

Choose what to block

Freedom can block selected apps or websites, or cut off internet access for a session. Custom blocklists are included in Free, giving occasional users a useful starting point without a subscription. Website Exceptions let Mac and Windows users keep chosen sites accessible while blocking others, but that flexibility is not universal: Chromebook lacks both app blocking and Website Exceptions, and iOS and Android do not support Website Exceptions.

Sessions across devices

Sessions and schedules sync across supported devices, including Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Chromebook. That is useful when interruptions simply shift from a computer to a phone, though Chromebook’s narrower blocking support makes it a less complete part of a setup.

Schedules and Locked Mode

Paid plans add advance and recurring schedules that can start sessions automatically. Locked Mode prevents early exits, an important distinction for users who want a commitment device rather than a reminder they can dismiss. Unlimited sessions remove a cap on how often paid users can block.

Focus audio and privacy

Freedom offers focus-optimized music and ambient sounds, including café, library, and nature settings, as well as exclusive focus audio tracks from Brain.fm. These extras can support a focus routine, though the core case for choosing Freedom remains its blocking and synchronization. Freedom says it does not track browsing, app usage, or personal activity, and offers human in-app support across platforms. Premium Perks add partner discounts and offers tied to productivity, wellness, and intentional living.

Pricing

Freedom is freemium, with a 7-day trial and three paid options. The free plan costs nothing and includes limited-feature blocking of apps, websites, or the internet, multi-device sync, custom blocklists, and Website Exceptions on Mac and Windows only. It is best for light or occasional use; it gives up scheduling, Locked Mode, unlimited sessions, and Premium Perks.

Premium (yearly) costs $3.33 a year (billed Yearly - Save 40%), while Premium (monthly) costs $8.99 a month (billed Monthly). Both include everything in Free plus scheduling, recurring and advance sessions, Locked Mode, unlimited sessions, and Premium Perks. The yearly plan is the lower stated monthly equivalent for someone ready to commit to annual billing; monthly billing costs more but avoids that annual term.

Forever costs $99.50, paid once (billed One payment, yours forever; no subscription or recurring charges). It includes scheduling, recurring and advance sessions, Locked Mode, unlimited sessions, and Premium Perks. It fits users who expect to rely on Freedom long-term and prefer a one-time payment; the subscription plans are the alternatives for those who do not want that upfront cost.

Platforms

Freedom supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Browser extensions are also available. Blocking sessions and focus schedules sync across supported devices, but feature parity is limited: Chromebook does not support app blocking or Website Exceptions, and iOS and Android do not support Website Exceptions.

Who it's for

Freedom is strongest for people who want recurring focus routines across devices and need a way to make sessions harder to abandon. Free is a reasonable fit for basic blocking, while Premium is more suitable for users who will use schedules, Locked Mode, and unlimited sessions. Look elsewhere if Website Exceptions are essential on mobile or Chromebook, or if you want app blocking on Chromebook.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Cross-device session and schedule syncing helps carry a focus routine from computer to phone.
• Pro: Advance and recurring schedules plus Locked Mode support consistent routines and reduce easy early exits.
• Pro: Free includes multi-device sync and custom blocklists for basic blocking.
• Con: Website Exceptions are limited to Mac and Windows, so mobile users cannot allow selected sites while blocking the rest.
• Con: Chromebook lacks app blocking and Website Exceptions, making its synced sessions less capable there.
• Con: Scheduling, Locked Mode, and unlimited sessions require a paid plan.

Alternatives

one sec is worth considering if intervention types and time tracking are priorities; its one sec pro plan is $6.99 a month (billed monthly) and includes unlimited apps, intervention types, time tracking, website blocking, and block sessions.

FocusMe offers a lifetime plan for $249, paid once (billed one-time; pay once and use forever, with core features), for buyers comparing a one-time purchase with Freedom’s Forever option.

Focus Bear has a free Essentials plan with a 25-minute Pomodoro maximum, no AI blocking, up to five websites or apps, and limits of three habits per routine and three break activities. It may suit someone willing to work within those caps.

Phone-Free 2FA is a free option centered on browser-extension TOTP accounts, without central recovery or sync.

Pluckeye is a free alternative with all features included in its free plan.

ScreenZen offers a free core app, with optional donations supporting the project.

BlockSite is another freemium option for web, iOS, and Android.

Focuser is a free alternative for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Verdict

Choose Freedom if you want scheduled, synced blocking with Locked Mode and a free tier that supports basic multi-device use. Its strongest case is the combination of automated routines and a barrier against quitting early; its clearest limitation is uneven support for app blocking and Website Exceptions across platforms. If those controls need to work consistently on Chromebook or mobile, choose a tool whose platform support matches that requirement.