Cold Turkey Blocker Review (2026): Price, Free vs Pro, and Is It Safe?

Verdict

Cold Turkey Blocker is one of the strongest blockers available for a computer, and at $45 once it is inexpensive for what it does. It suits people who want strict blocking on Windows or Mac and do not need phone coverage.

Rating: strong blocking, low price, desktop only.

Key features

• Seven lock types: choose how hard a block is to unlock, from a simple timer to a delay of up to 40 days.
• Uninstall prevention: a locked block stops the uninstaller and keeps the browser extension switched on until it ends.
• App blocking: block desktop apps and games, not only websites.
• Device blocks: lock, log off or shut down the computer for a set time.
• Pause for a Cause: take a 10-minute break by donating to the World Wildlife Fund, or switch the option off.

Free vs Pro

Cold Turkey Blocker Free and Pro compared, September 2026

The free version includes a 7-day trial of every Pro feature, started from the upgrade button inside the app.

Pricing

Blocker Pro costs $45 once, with lifetime updates and email support. One purchase covers every computer you personally use, on both Windows and Mac. Refunds are available within 30 days, and students can ask for 20% off. Payments are handled by Paddle.

Is Cold Turkey Blocker safe?

Yes. Cold Turkey Blocker is established software downloaded from getcoldturkey.com.

• Administrator rights: it needs them to block websites and apps across the computer, which is normal for this kind of software.
• Local data: settings and statistics are stored on your computer, and the developer states it cannot access them.
• Payments: purchases go through Paddle, a payment provider used by many software companies.
• Download source: install it only from getcoldturkey.com. Some users have posted in forums about antivirus warnings, which software that changes system settings can trigger.

The main risk is self inflicted: a locked block cannot be reversed, so a mistake in its settings lasts until the lock ends.

Pros

• Strict locks: a locked block cannot be disabled or uninstalled until it ends.
• One-time price: $45 covers every computer you personally use, with no subscription.
• App blocking: games and desktop programs can be blocked, not only websites.
• Flexible lock types: seven options, from a timer to random text of up to 5,000 characters.
• Private by design: statistics and settings stay on your computer.

Cons

• No phone app: it runs on Windows and macOS only, so a phone stays unblocked.
• Admin rights required: it cannot be installed on a computer where you are not an administrator.
• Locks cannot be reversed: a block locked by mistake stays until the lock ends.
• Browser extensions needed: each browser needs Cold Turkey's extension switched on for website blocking to work.

Who Cold Turkey is best for

Cold Turkey is best for people who work or study on a Windows or Mac computer, have already undone softer blockers, and want to pay once. It is a poor fit for anyone whose main distraction is a phone.

Alternatives

• Ascension: a Windows website blocker with hard-to-bypass locks and detailed screen time reports.
• Freedom: blocks websites and apps across phones and computers in one session. Its locks are less strict.
• FocusMe: Windows, Mac, Linux and Android blocker with detailed time limits and forced breaks, on a subscription or $449 lifetime.
• LeechBlock NG: a free browser extension with schedules and time limits, easy to remove.

Read our full list of Cold Turkey alternatives →

Frequently asked questions