Cold Turkey vs FocusMe: which blocker fits your Mac? (2026)
Cold Turkey vs FocusMe compared for Mac in 2026: pricing, platforms, app and website blocking, schedules, Enforced Mode and a Mac-only third option.
Quick answer
In Cold Turkey vs FocusMe, choose Cold Turkey for a lockable Mac and Windows blocker paid once, and FocusMe if you want one subscription covering Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS, or its $449 lifetime license. Both block websites and apps and support schedules. If you only need to block distractions on a Mac, Nudge is a simpler FocusMe alternative at $9.99 once.
How do these apps compare?
Decide between Cold Turkey and FocusMe for blocking websites and apps on a Mac, or find a FocusMe alternative.
| App | Best for | Price | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
 NudgeTop pick | Daily focus sessions on a Mac only | $9.99 once | Get Nudge |
 Cold Turkey | Locked blocks on Mac and Windows | Free, Pro $45 once | Visit |
 FocusMe | Rules and schedules across many platforms | From $9.95/mo yearly or $449 lifetime | Visit |
 Freedom | One blocklist on every device | $8.99/mo or $99.50 lifetime (Oct deal) | Visit |
 SelfControl | Free timed website blocks | Free | Visit |
Which tool should you pick?
Best for a lockable one-time blocker
Cold Turkey
Blocker Pro is a lifetime purchase for macOS and Windows.
Best for many platforms
FocusMe
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad. 14-day trial, no card.
Best for daily Mac focus sessions
Nudge
Presets of blocked apps and websites from the menu bar. $9.99 once.
Best free hard block
SelfControl
Free and open source. Websites only.
The apps in detail
- $9.99 once
1. App and website sessions
Nudge
Best for: Daily focus sessions on a Mac only
- Choose it if
- Your work is on one Mac and you want to pay $9.99 once.
- Skip it if
- You also need blocking on your phone: Nudge is a Mac app, so look at Freedom, Opal or Session.
- Free, Pro $45 once
2. Blocking
Cold Turkey
Best for: Locked blocks on Mac and Windows
- Choose it if
- You want website and app blocking you can lock in place, paid once.
- Skip it if
- You need Linux, Android or iOS. They are not supported.
- From $9.95/mo yearly or $449 lifetime
3. Blocking
FocusMe
Best for: Rules and schedules across many platforms
- Choose it if
- You want Focus Plans, Enforced Mode and desktop plus mobile coverage.
- Skip it if
- You want a low one-time price. Lifetime is $449.
- $8.99/mo or $99.50 lifetime (Oct deal)
4. Cross-device blocking
Freedom
Best for: One blocklist on every device
- Choose it if
- You want Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android synced, with Locked Mode.
- Skip it if
- You only work on a Mac and prefer a one-time purchase.
- Free
5. Website blocking
SelfControl
Best for: Free timed website blocks
- Choose it if
- You want a free block that stays on until the timer ends.
- Skip it if
- You need app blocking, schedules or presets.
What is the difference between Cold Turkey and FocusMe?
Cold Turkey is a desktop blocker for macOS and Windows with a free version and a one-time Pro purchase. FocusMe is a subscription product (with a lifetime option) that lists Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad.
Both block websites and apps and let you schedule blocks. The practical difference is price model and platform reach.
How do Cold Turkey and FocusMe compare side by side?
Facts below come from each vendor's own site and were checked on 10 October 2026.
| Cold Turkey | FocusMe | |
|---|---|---|
| Price model | Free version. Blocker Pro is $45 once, for lifetime access. | $15.95 a month, or $9.95 a month billed yearly ($119.40), or $449 lifetime. 14-day trial, no card. |
| Platforms | macOS and Windows. Not iOS, Android, Linux or ChromeOS. | Windows, Mac and Linux (up to 5 computers), Android, iPhone and iPad (up to 2 devices). |
| Website blocking | Yes, in the free version. | Yes. |
| App blocking | Blocker Pro. | Yes. |
| Scheduling | Scheduled blocks in Blocker Pro. | Schedule Blocks and Flexible Focus Plans. |
| How hard to bypass | Blocks can be locked, with uninstall prevention. | Enforced Mode: a started Focus Plan is difficult to disable, bypass or change until it ends. |
| Extras | Allowances, breaks and statistics. | Screen Breaks, Pomodoro option and an AI coach listed on its site. |
How much do Cold Turkey and FocusMe cost?
Prices were checked on getcoldturkey.com/pricing and focusme.com/pricing on 10 October 2026, in US dollars.
- Cold Turkey Blocker Free: website blocking, timed blocks and statistics, with a 7-day trial of Pro features.
- Cold Turkey Blocker Pro: $45 once for lifetime access with free updates. A 30-day refund is listed.
- FocusMe: $15.95 a month, or $9.95 a month on the yearly plan, billed as $119.40 a year.
- FocusMe Lifetime: $449 once. A 60-day money-back guarantee on paid plans and 30% student discount are listed.
- Nudge: $9.99 once for Lifetime Access, after a 7-day free trial with no card.
Who should pick Cold Turkey, and who should pick FocusMe?
Pick Cold Turkey if you use a Mac or Windows PC, want to pay once, and want blocks you can lock. Pick FocusMe if you need coverage on Linux, Android or iOS, or like building detailed Focus Plans with Enforced Mode on top.
If you are weighing the lifetime price, note that FocusMe Lifetime is $449 and Cold Turkey Blocker Pro is $45 once.
How does each one work on a Mac specifically?
Cold Turkey is a macOS and Windows app with browser extensions. One product key works on both systems.
FocusMe runs on macOS from the same plan as Windows and Linux, with up to 5 computers per subscription. The 14-day trial needs no card, so you can check how its Focus Plans and Enforced Mode feel on your Mac before you pay.
For a closer look at Cold Turkey see Cold Turkey vs Nudge.
What is a good FocusMe alternative for Mac?
If your work and distractions are on one Mac, Nudge is a simple FocusMe alternative. You pick the apps and websites that distract you, save them as a preset such as Deep Work, and start a session from the menu bar. Websites are blocked in Safari and Chrome. When the session ends, everything is reachable again.
A preset can run on a schedule you choose. Nudge costs $9.99 once for Lifetime Access, and every Mac gets a 7-day free trial with every feature, no email, password or card.
More options are in the Cold Turkey alternatives, Cold Turkey vs Freedom and best website blockers for Mac.
FAQ
Is Cold Turkey or FocusMe better?
It depends on platforms and price. Cold Turkey suits Mac and Windows users who want a one-time purchase. FocusMe suits people who need Linux, Android or iOS as well, or want its Focus Plans and Enforced Mode.
Does FocusMe work on Mac?
Yes. FocusMe lists Windows, Mac and Linux computers, up to 5 per subscription, plus Android, iPhone and iPad.
How much does FocusMe cost?
$15.95 a month, or $9.95 a month on the yearly plan ($119.40 a year), and a lifetime license is $449. There is a 14-day free trial with no card.
Does Cold Turkey work on iPhone or Android?
No. Its pricing page says Linux, ChromeOS, Android and iOS are not supported. It covers macOS and Windows.
What is a cheaper FocusMe alternative for Mac?
Nudge costs $9.99 once, with a 7-day free trial and no card. SelfControl is free for website blocks. Both are Mac-focused.
Does FocusMe have a Pomodoro timer?
Yes. FocusMe lists Pomodoro among the ways you can set up a Focus Plan, next to Screen Breaks and scheduled blocks.
Nudge for Mac
Turn the guide into a focus session
Pick the apps and websites that pull you away and start the session from the menu bar. They stay blocked until it ends. $9.99 once after 7 days free, no card to start.
Download for macOS
