Freedom vs Cold Turkey (2026): Which Blocker Is Better?
Compared on blocking strength, devices, scheduling, free versions and price · Updated
Cold Turkey is the better choice if you want the strictest blocking on a Windows or Mac computer for a one-time price. Freedom is the better choice if you need one blocking session across your phone and computer, but its Locked Mode can be ended early once every 7 days unless you remove that option.
Key takeaways
- Cold Turkey is stricter: a locked block cannot be disabled or uninstalled until it ends.
- Freedom covers more devices: one session blocks Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and Chromebook at the same time.
- Cold Turkey Pro is $45 once for all your personal computers, while Freedom Premium is $39.99 a year or $8.99 a month.
- Both have a free version: Cold Turkey's free version blocks websites with timed blocks, and Freedom's free plan runs sessions of up to 2 hours.
- Cold Turkey stores settings and statistics on your computer, while Freedom syncs with its servers.
Comparison table
Freedom and Cold Turkey compared, September 2026
| Feature | Freedom | Cold Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook | Windows, macOS |
| Blocks phones | Yes | No |
| Blocks desktop apps | Yes | Yes, Pro |
| Blocking strength | Medium | Strong |
| Early exit from a locked session | End Session once every 7 days, can be removed | None, apart from Pause for a Cause if you leave it on |
| Scheduling | Premium | Pro |
| Free version | Sessions up to 2 hours | Website blocking with timed blocks |
| Price | $8.99/mo, $39.99/yr, $199 lifetime (currently $99.50) | $45 once |
| Licence | Unlimited devices | All computers you personally use |
| Data | Synced with Freedom's servers | Stored on your computer |
Platforms and Devices
Freedom: runs on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and on Chromebook and Linux through its browser extension. One session blocks the same sites and apps on every device at once.
Cold Turkey: runs on Windows and macOS only. It does not block anything on a phone or tablet.
Blocking Strength
Freedom: Locked Mode stops you from quitting a session early or changing active block lists. The End Session option still works once every 7 days and for the first minute of a session, unless you turn it off, and Locked Mode has to be enabled on each device. On Windows, optional settings block Task Manager and System Settings, and uninstalling is prevented while the app is active and a session is running.
Cold Turkey: a locked block stops you from disabling the browser extension or uninstalling the app until the block ends. Lock types include a timer, a time range, random text, a delay of up to 40 days, a restart requirement and a password. It can also block Task Manager and date and time settings. Pause for a Cause allows a 10-minute break in exchange for a donation to the World Wildlife Fund, and it can be switched off.
Scheduling and Sessions
Freedom: Premium adds recurring and scheduled sessions. A scheduled session needs an internet connection on the computer at the time it starts.
Cold Turkey: Pro adds scheduled blocks, breaks and daily allowances. Device blocks can lock, log off or shut down the computer for a set time.
Free Version
Freedom: the free plan blocks websites, apps or the whole internet on unlimited devices, but only with Start Now sessions of up to 2 hours. Locked Mode and scheduling need Premium.
Cold Turkey: the free version blocks websites with timed blocks and exceptions, and shows statistics. App blocking, schedules and all lock types need Pro, and a 7-day Pro trial starts from inside the free app.
Pricing
Freedom: $8.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial on the yearly plan. The Forever plan lists at $199 and is currently shown at $99.50.
Cold Turkey: Blocker Pro is $45 once, covers every computer you personally use on Windows and Mac, and includes a 30-day refund. Students can ask for 20% off.
Verdict
Choose Cold Turkey if the problem is your computer, you want locks you cannot end early, and you prefer paying once.
Choose Freedom if the problem includes your phone, you want one schedule across every device, and a weekly early exit is acceptable.
If you are on Windows and also want to see where your screen time goes, Ascension combines hard-to-bypass website blocking with detailed usage reports.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cold Turkey better than Freedom?
For strict blocking on a computer, yes: a locked Cold Turkey block cannot be disabled or uninstalled until it ends. For blocking a phone and a computer together, Freedom is the better fit, because Cold Turkey has no mobile app.
Does Cold Turkey work on iPhone or Android?
No. Cold Turkey supports Windows and macOS only. Freedom runs on iOS and Android.
Is Freedom free?
Freedom has a free plan that blocks websites and apps on unlimited devices, limited to sessions of up to 2 hours. Scheduling and Locked Mode need Premium at $8.99 a month or $39.99 a year.
Can you end a Freedom Locked Mode session early?
Yes, once every 7 days through the End Session option, and during the first minute of a session. You can turn the End Session option off or remove it permanently in your settings.
Can you uninstall Cold Turkey during a block?
Not while the block is locked. A locked block prevents the uninstaller from working and stops you from disabling the browser extension until the block ends.
Is Cold Turkey a one-time purchase?
Yes. Blocker Pro costs $45 once and includes lifetime updates.
Is there an alternative to Freedom and Cold Turkey?
Ascension is a Windows alternative with locks that prevent editing or uninstalling a block until it ends, plus detailed screen time reports. LeechBlock NG is a free browser extension, and FocusMe offers detailed time limits on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android.
Available on Windows 10 & 11