How do you do when some attractive sites distract you from work? Many of us who have poor self-control will waste too much time on useless websites. Some parents worry that their kids access inappropriate websites on Chrome and receive bad information. This has a great impact on children's growth and development. Is there any great website blocker tools for adults or children? After testing, let me introduce 7 best website blocker extensions and applications to you. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. You can pick the one that suits you best.
Cisdem AppCrypt
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
Cisdem AppCrypt is an easy-to-use and effective website blocker application for Windows and Mac users. It works on all popular web browsers on computer, including Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc. Designed for productivity, AppCrypt allows you to block specific websites/webpages permanently or by schedule. It can also act as a parental control app to block inappropriate websites on child’s computer by category, like porn sites, games sites, social media, etc.
1. Download and install Cisdem AppCrypt on your computer.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
2. Set a password when you first launch this tool. Do not forget this password since it’ll be required every time you want to open this tool and change settings.
3. Right-click the lock icon on Windows task bar/Mac menu bar. Select Open Main Window.
4. Enter the password to access the tool.
5. Go to the Web Block tab. A window will pop up asking you to install extensions for different browsers. Click Install next to the extensions you want to block sites in. (Mac users can skip this step and don’t need to install the extension.)
6. To block websites on computer, type in the URL you want to block to the top box. Click Add.
You can also click Import and then select a category of sites to block, such as social media, porn sites, and more.
By following the steps above, all the websites in the block list will be blocked on your computer immediately.
To unblock the blocked sites, click AppCrypt’s icon on the task bar/menu bar. Select Disable Web Block. Then the blocking will stop temporarily. Or directly quit this website blocker tool. Both these steps require the password.
You may only want to block distracting websites when you need to focus, such as working hours. Cisdem AppCrypt enables you to block websites during certain hours. Tap Schedule at the top of the main window. Block sites on your block list during specific times of a day or days of the week.
This website blocker is extremely customize. It also supports adding custom schedule for a specific website. Select the website from your block list. Click the clock icon next to it. Enable Custom Schedule. Set custom schedule to block this site during a certain time period.
If you think the blocking features above are not enough for you, Cisdem AppCrypt also allows you to block all websites on computer except one or a few you approved. Go to the Web Block tab. Enable Block all websites at the bottom. Click Exceptions button. Enter the URLs that you allow to access to the Always Allow list.
Today, more and more people are turning to mobile devices to access the Internet. Compared with computers, mobile phones that can be carried around are more convenient. We can receive notifications from social media, visit games sites, video sites, etc. anytime and anywhere. However, the use of mobile devices makes us easily get distracted while working.
AppBlock is a mobile website blocker that lets you block distracting websites and take control of your screen time on iPhone or Android devices. You can to install this website blocker on your phone to improve your focus and concentration.
1. Download AppBlock from the App Store or Google Play Store. Install it on your device.
2. Grant necessary permissions when you first launch it.
3. Click Add on the main window.
4. Go to the Schedule section. Set the time you want the website blocker app to take effect.
5. Click the Add button next to Blocked apps & websites.
6. Select the WEBS tab. Add distracting websites you want to block. Click Save.
7. Set a name for your settings, like Work.
8. Then enable the Websites button.
8. Click Create.
Tip: You can turn on the Strict Mode of this website blocker. It provides 2 options: Timer and Follow schedule. If choose Timer, you won’t be able to unblock the blocked websites or change anything in App Block until the timer runs out. Alternatively, you can use the Schedule. All settings are locked for the time you set.
If you don’t want to use applications, take a look at the following site blocker extensions for different browsers.
Developer: BlockSite
Available on: Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge
Latest version: 6.5.7
Latest update: January 28, 2024
What this website blocker can do:
BlockSite is a website blocker extension that enables you to block certain website and automatically redirects to a specific website when you try to access it. This tool has a free version, which can only meet your basic needs. However, to get some of its advanced features, like Password Protection, Custom Block Page, or block unlimited sites, you need to upgrade to the Premium version.
BlockSite let you add 3 sites to block in its free version. You can set up a blocking schedule to block the sites on certain days of the week or certain hours of the day. The schedule applies to all sites on the block list. This feature is inconvenient for some users who want to block only certain distracting websites by schedule but others permanently.
Focus mode is helpful when you want to stay focused for a period of time and take regular breaks. First add sites to the block list, or directly using the whitelist mode to block all sites except certain ones. Set a focus time, such as 25 minutes. Then set a break time, that is, a time that you can freely visit the blocked websites during the focus time. The number of cycles means how many times you want this focus session run automatically.
How to use this website blocker:
1. Search for BlockSite on Extensions store.
2. Add it to your Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser.
3. Visit the website you want to block access to.
4. Right-click on anywhere on the page.
5. Select BlockSite from the menu.
Developer: Transfusion Media
Available on: Chrome
Latest version: 2.1.12
Latest update: January 28, 2024
What this website blocker can do:
Sometimes we spend hours refreshing our Facebook feeds, checking our emails, or just watching YouTube videos for a long time. Then suddenly realize that we spent much time sitting in front of the computer and not doing anything useful. StayFocusd is a site blocker Chrome extension free that will help you solve this problem. If you feel that you often spend too much time on a website, you can set a time limit on this site.
This tool allows you to block entire sites, specific subdomains, specific pages, and even specific in-page content such as images, videos, forms, etc. If you want to stop yourself from removing this website blocker, you can even add the Chrome extensions page to the block list.
You are also allowed to set the maximum number of minutes per day that you are allowed to visit sites on the block list. Note that this time is the sum of the times each site on the block list is accessible. For example, if you set 10 minutes allowed per day, you can access the blocked sites (even if you have put multiple sites to the block list) 10 minutes in aggregate. In addition, once the time for the day has expired, the sites in the block list cannot be removed.
There’s an interesting feature for preventing you from changing settings. If you feel that you can’t control yourself, I recommend you enabling this feature. You need to enter the long and difficult text each time you want to change any settings. And can’t make a single typo. Otherwise you’ll have to start again.
How to use this website blocker:
1. Search for StayFocused from Chrome web store.
2. Click the Add to Chrome button. Click Add extension.
3. Then it’ll redirect you to the Settings page. Click Continue.
4. View the Dashboard. Find the distracting websites that you spent the most time on.
5. Click Blocked Sites on the left sidebar. Click the ADD Group button. Set a group name.
6. Add the URLs that you want to block into the box. Click SAVE GROUP.
7. Set the max time allowed per day under Groups.
Developer: James Anderson
Available on: Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers
Latest version: 1.6.3
Latest update: January 22, 2024
What this website blocker can do:
LeechBlock is a free website blocker tool that available on almost all popular web browsers. It is designed for controlling online time and blocking time-wasting sites. LeechBlock offers flexible block options. For example, you can:
This tool enables you to create 30 sets of websites to block. Each set can be specified with what to block, when to block and how to block. LeechBlock allows you to specify exceptions sites not to block. Also supports blocking pages that contain specific words or phrases.
The Lockdown feature allows you to block sites immediately for a specific duration. Right-click the page you want to block. Choose LeechBlock NG > Lockdown. A window will pop up and ask you to enter the duration of the lockdown.
As you can see, it offers richer functionality than other site blocker extensions. But it is not suitable for users who are not good at computers.
How to use this website blocker:
1. Download and add it to your browser.
2. Open the Extensions menu in browser. Select LeechBlock and click Options.
3. Enter the domain names of the sites you’d like to block to the box under What to Block.
4. Specify the time you want to block these websites in the When to Block section.
5. Scroll down to the How to Block section. Choose a way to block sites.
6. Click Save Options.
Developer: Atmana Tech FZCO
Available on: Chrome
Latest version: 3.2.6
Latest update: March 13, 2024
What this website blocker can do:
All of us want to find the most efficient way to work. The most important is to know where our time is actually going. BlockerX is a flexible site blocker Chrome extension that records how long you spend on each website exactly. It helps you block time-wasting sites and to be more productive.
After adding it to your Chrome, it will automatically starts recording the websites you visit and track the time you spend on them. Go to the My Stats section and then you can easily see which sites distract you the most and put them to your block list.
Unlike the other site blockers I covered above, BlockerX doesn’t offer the schedule feature. It is not a good choice for users with Internet addiction who just want to limit the time spent on specific websites on Chrome.
How to use this website blocker:
1. Add it to Chrome.
2. Click Get Started. Choose what you want this extension to help you with. Click Continue.
3. Fill in some of your information according to the prompts. Click Continue.
4. Enable or disable the Block Adult Content button on the upper left corner according to your needs.
5. Click Blocklist on the left side.
6. Enter websites or keywords into the box. Click the plus icon next to it.
Developer: Joel Benjamin
Available on: Chrome
Latest version: 1.0.21
Latest update: February 13, 2024
What this website blocker can do:
Otto is a cute Pomodoro timer and Chrome website blocker designed for productivity. It uses Pomodoro technique to help you stay focused on the task you are doing and avoid distractions. You can create a work session and break session. And it enables you to customize the length of time. Such as 35 minutes for work and 10 minutes for a break. And block some websites that are easy to distract you. It’ll remind you to take a break after focusing for a long time. You can find that you’ll be more motivated and productive using this time management method.
This tool also has a free version and a pro version. The pro version will provides you some advanced feature such as unlimited auto blocks, daily website usage report, change alert sounds and more.
How to use this website blocker:
1. Download and add it to your Chrome.
2. Click the Extensions icon on the right of the address bar. Select Otto.
3. Go to the Autoblock tab. Click New+ to add site you want to block. Click Add.
4. Set the amount of time you allow to spend on the website. Click on Block. Then Otto will start the timer. Once the time is up, the website blocker will take effect.
Not sure how to choose between website blocker apps or website blocker extensions? You can consider their features, convenience, ease of use, and efficiency, etc. to choose the best for you.
1. Website blocker app usually provides more complex and rich functions, such as password protection, auto-lock, app lock, etc., while most extensions only offer the basic features.
2. Website blocker app support blocking websites in multiple browsers on computer. However, the extension only works in a specific browser. It’s a bit troublesome.
3. Compared to apps, the website blocker extension is easier to install. Just find it from extensions store and add it to the browser.
4. Extensions can be easily removed. If you want to block inappropriate content for your children or if you want to block distracting sites to increase productivity but have poor self-control, it’s more recommended to use a website blocker app, which usually requires the password to quit or uninstall.
5. Usually extensions are updated automatically. Sometimes it might delay a few days. Then you can also manually update it. Website blocker applications often do not update automatically. But it’ll notify users to update when a new version is released.
It’s essential to have a website blocker that can help you block distractions and boost productivity. It can also be used to create a safe online environment for children, control Internet addiction, stop online gaming addiction, and more. In this article, I introduced 7 website blockers for different needs, including applications and extensions. You can pick any one from the list above.
Rosa has worked in Mac software industry for more than eight years. She believes that the purpose of software is to make life better and work more productively. In addition to writing, Rosa is also an avid runner.
canada pharmacies
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she retains the thought of a user in his/her brain that how a user can be aware of it. Thus that's why this article is amazing. Thanks!
Harald Brenner
I'm looking for a website blocker to stop my child's game addiction. Thank you for sharing these tools!