comparison
Sloth vs Cold Turkey vs Freedom
Which website blocker actually stops you from cheating? We tested all three.
Cold Turkey and Freedom are the two most popular website blockers. Sloth is newer but takes a different approach to blocking. Here's how they actually compare when you try to bypass them.
How each one blocks websites
Sloth: three layers, root-level daemon
Sloth runs a privileged daemon (a background service with root access) that blocks at three levels simultaneously. First, it modifies your DNS hosts file to redirect blocked domains to localhost. Second, it creates packet filter firewall rules that block the IP addresses of those domains. Third, it monitors your browser tabs and redirects you to a blocked page if you try to visit a blocked site.
When you lock a session, the daemon ignores all deactivation commands. You physically cannot stop it until the timer expires. Quitting the app doesn't help because the daemon runs independently. It even blocks iCloud Private Relay automatically so Safari's built-in VPN can't bypass it.
Cold Turkey: app-level blocking
Cold Turkey uses application-level blocking. On Windows, it's deeply integrated and very hard to bypass. On macOS, the blocking is less robust. It doesn't modify system-level DNS or firewall rules, which means certain bypass methods work.
Freedom: browser extension + VPN
Freedom uses browser extensions on desktop and a local VPN on mobile. On Mac, the blocking only works in browsers where the extension is installed. Open a browser without the extension and the blocks don't apply. On mobile, the VPN approach works better, but it conflicts with other VPN apps.
Can you bypass them?
| Bypass method | Sloth | Cold Turkey | Freedom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch browser | Blocked | Blocked | Works |
| Private browsing | Blocked | Blocked | Works |
| Quit the app | Blocked (daemon) | Blocked | Works |
| iCloud Private Relay | Auto-blocked | Works | Works |
| Disable extension | N/A (no extension) | N/A | Works |
| Stop session early | Blocked (locked) | Blocked | Blocked (locked) |
Features compared
| Feature | Sloth | Cold Turkey | Freedom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29 once | $39 once | $40/year |
| Platform | macOS | Windows, macOS | All platforms |
| Schedules | Yes + templates | Yes | Yes |
| Daily budgets | Yes (triggers) | Yes | No |
| Screen time stats | Yes | Yes | No |
| Menu bar app | Yes | Yes | No |
| Locked sessions | Yes (daemon) | Yes | Yes |
| App blocking | Websites only | Yes ($39) | Yes |
Pricing breakdown
Sloth is $29, one-time, with all updates included. No account needed. Cold Turkey is $39 one-time for the Pro version (free version is limited). Freedom is a subscription at $8.99/month or $40/year.
Over 3 years, Freedom costs $120. Sloth costs $29. Cold Turkey costs $39.
Which one should you use?
Choose Sloth if: You're on Mac and want the strongest possible blocking. Three blocking layers, root-level daemon, and automatic Private Relay blocking make it the hardest to bypass. One-time payment.
Choose Cold Turkey if: You're on Windows, or you need app blocking in addition to website blocking.
Choose Freedom if: You need blocking across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android with synced sessions.
Ibo Gonzales
productivity researcher and founder of sloth