The best Cold Turkey alternative
A free, privacy-first website blocker for Chrome and Firefox. The “nuclear option”: the hardest-to-bypass blocker for desktop power users.
Free forever. No account required to start. Pro adds keyword blocking and full insights.
Why people leave Cold Turkey
- You want a browser extension, not a desktop install
- You need it to work across browsers and sync to other devices
- Its all-or-nothing strictness turned out to be overkill
SiteBlocker in one line
SiteBlocker doesn’t hold its core features hostage. Custom blocklists, scheduling, whitelist mode, Focus Mode with a Pomodoro timer, and cross-device sync are all free, with zero data collection. Pro ($2.99/mo, $24.99/yr, or $49.99 lifetime) adds keyword blocking and the full Insights dashboard.
SiteBlocker vs Cold Turkey
| Feature | SiteBlocker | Cold Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Pro from $2.99/mo | Free / ~$39 one-time |
| Type | Browser extension | Desktop app |
| Scheduled blocking | Free | Yes |
| Whitelist mode | Free | Yes |
| Focus Mode + Pomodoro | Free | Timed blocks only |
| Keyword blocking | Pro | No |
| Cross-device sync | Free | No |
| Browsers | Chrome, Firefox | System-level (any browser, desktop only) |
| Enforcement strictness | Soft or hard Focus Mode | Strongest (whole-machine lock) |
| Modern UI | Yes | Dated |
Where Cold Turkey is strong
- + The strongest enforcement anywhere: locked blocks and a whole-machine freeze you genuinely can’t remove
- + Blocks entire applications, not just websites
- + One-time payment with lifetime updates
Where it falls short
- – Desktop-only: no mobile, no Linux, and no sync to your phone
- – No browser extension, so it’s absent from the Chrome and Firefox stores
- – A dated interface and a steeper learning curve, and it can be too strict to live with
Choose SiteBlocker if…
You want a lightweight cross-browser blocker with a modern UI, cross-device sync, and a hard Focus Mode when you need it.
Stick with Cold Turkey if…
You’re a desktop power user who wants unbreakable, system-level blocking and don’t need mobile or sync.
How to switch from Cold Turkey
- 1
Install SiteBlocker from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons and (optionally) create a free account for cross-device sync.
- 2
Open your Cold Turkey block list, copy the sites you block, and add them to a SiteBlocker blocklist. Set up any schedules or a whitelist while you’re there.
- 3
Once everything works, remove Cold Turkey. The whole move takes about five minutes.
SiteBlocker vs Cold Turkey: FAQ
Is SiteBlocker a good Cold Turkey alternative?
Yes, if you want a browser-based blocker instead of a desktop application. SiteBlocker installs as a Chrome or Firefox extension, syncs across devices, and has a modern interface, where Cold Turkey is a Windows/macOS desktop app with no extension and no sync.
Is SiteBlocker as strict as Cold Turkey?
Not quite. Cold Turkey offers the strongest enforcement available, including locked blocks and a whole-machine freeze you genuinely cannot remove. SiteBlocker offers a hard Focus Mode that is strict but lighter-weight, designed for browser distractions rather than system-level lockdown.
Does SiteBlocker work without installing a desktop app?
Yes. SiteBlocker runs entirely as a browser extension, so there is nothing to install on your operating system. Cold Turkey requires a desktop application on Windows or macOS.
Is SiteBlocker free like Cold Turkey’s free tier?
Both have free tiers. SiteBlocker’s blocking is fully free with optional Pro from $2.99/mo. Cold Turkey’s free tier covers website blocking, and its one-time Pro license (around $39) adds app blocking and the unbreakable timer.
Last updated June 05, 2026
Competitor pricing and features are verified periodically and can change. Sources:
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