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How to Block Websites on Safari on Mac: 5 Best Ways

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Last updated: December 22, 2023

Expert verified

To block websites on Safari on a Mac, use one of the following methods:

• Set up Screen Time in System Settings and choose Content & Privacy to limit adult websites or specify only allowed websites​ ​.
• Access your router’s settings via its IP address and use the Access Restrictions or Parental Controls to block specific websites​.
• Install a web blocker extension from the App Store.
• Download and use third-party web blocker apps.
• Use the sudo nano /etc/hosts command to edit the host file via Terminal to block specific websites.

I know how easy it is to get distracted online, especially when trying to work or study on a Mac. That’s why I put together this guide with simple, straight-to-the-point steps that I use myself to keep focused. These methods really work whether you’re aiming to stay focused, manage your online activities, or just streamline your browsing.

Before We Begin

Besides blocking websites on your Mac, you should also remove adware and unwanted programs. Download MacKeeper and use its Adware Cleaner to avoid annoying pop-ups that send you to websites you don’t want to visit.

How to Block a Website on Safari on Mac

There are different solutions for blocking websites on Safari. Below, I’ve shared some quick ways to block websites on Safari.

1. Use Screen Time

Screen Time is a feature in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS that allows you to set limits on app usage, including Safari. You can use Screen Time to block specific websites or categories of websites during certain times of the day. You can also use it to block all websites and whitelist some specific ones.

For macOS 10.15 Catalina or Later

Here’s how to use Screen Time to block websites on Safari on your Mac:

• Open the Apple menu and click System Settings .

• Click Screen Time in System Settings and select Content & Privacy .

• Click Content Restrictions .

• A new window will appear. Click the drop-down icon next to Access to Web Content and select Limit Adult Websites .

If you want to manage your time on specific websites using Safari, you can do that with Screen Time. Here are the steps for setting a time limit for certain websites on Safari on a Mac:

• Click Screen Time in System Settings and select App Limits .

• In the App Limits section, toggle on the App Limits switch and click the Add Limit button to create a new restriction.

• Scroll down to the end of the list until you find the option for Websites .

• Click the dropdown arrow next to Websites to specify which websites you want to set time limits for.
• Select a website from the list or add a URL.
• In the Time section, specify the time you wish to allow for this site. This is the duration for which you can access the site each day.
• Once you have set the time limit, click Done .

For iOS 12 or Later and iPadOS

Here’s how to use Screen Time to block websites on Safari on your iPhone or iPad:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Tap  Screen Time .
• If Screen Time isn’t already enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time , then tap Continue . If it’s for your iPhone, select This is My iPhone .
• Tap  Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle on the Content & Privacy Restrictions switch.
• Tap  Content Restrictions  and select Web Content .
• Select  Limit Adult Websites .
• Tap  Add Website in the Never Allow section.
• Type the website URL you want to restrict in the URL field and tap  Done .

2. Change Router Settings

If you block websites through your router settings, it stops those sites on every device using your Wi-Fi. You just need to go into your router’s settings and choose the websites you want to block.

Here are the steps to block websites on Safari using router settings:

• Open your web browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar. You can usually find this information on the back of your router or in the manual.
• Enter your login credentials when prompted. The default username and password should be listed in your router’s manual if you need to change them.
• Look for the Access Restrictions or Parental Controls section in your router’s settings. It may be under the Advanced or Security tab.
• Choose the Website Blocking or Block Sites option.
• Enter the URL you want to block in the Website URL field. Some routers may also allow you to block websites based on keywords.
• Save the settings and exit the router’s interface.

3. Install A Web Blocker Extension

You can also add a browser extension to your web browser to do different things, including blocking websites. Safari doesn’t have a dedicated store for extensions, like Chrome. Instead, you have to download them from the App Store.

For Safari, I recommend a website-blocking extension called StayFree, a popular choice among Mac users.

For macOS 10.12 or Later

• Open Safari on your Mac.
• Click Safari in the menu bar and select Safari Extensions . This will open the App Store.

• In the App Store, type StayFree in the search bar and click Get > Install next to the app name in the results.

• Wait for the extension to install. Once it’s installed, you might get this notification in Safari. Click the Turn On Extensions button.

• Close Safari and reopen it. You should now see the extension’s icon near the address bar.

• To block a site, click the extension icon, and select Focus Mode Settings .

• It will open a new window. Click the Add Website button.

• Type the website URL and click Save . It will block the website and you won’t be able to reload it until you remove it from the Blocked Website list.

For iOS 15 or Later and iPadOS 15 or Later

iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 support web extensions for Safari. To add a Safari website blocker extension to your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

• Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
• Navigate to Safari .
• Select Extensions > More Extensions . This directs you to the App Store, showing compatible Safari extensions.
• Pick a web blocker extension for screen time control, and download it.
• Activate the Safari extension by going to Settings > Safari > Extensions .
• Find the web blocker extension you’ve installed and turn it on.

4. Use Third-Party Web Blocker Apps

Third-party web blocker apps offer another effective solution for managing online content access on Mac. These apps work by letting you make a list of websites you want to block. This stops you from accessing these sites for certain times you choose or all the time.

Here are some third-party web blocker apps that you might consider using:

• Cisdem AppCrypt : Cisdem AppCrypt is not just a website blocker, it also locks apps with a password. For website blocking, you can create a blacklist or whitelist and set up a schedule to block sites during certain times.
• 1Focus : 1Focus lets you block distracting websites and apps. It’s simple to use and lets you set periods of focus during which specific sites and apps are inaccessible. You can also schedule recurring focus sessions, making it a handy tool for establishing a routine.
• Freedom : Freedom is a popular app for blocking distracting websites and apps across multiple devices. It lets you create blocklists and schedule distraction-free sessions, making it a great tool for improving focus and productivity.
• SelfControl : Specifically for macOS, SelfControl lets you block access to distracting websites, mail servers, or anything else on the Internet. Once you set a period to block for, not even restarting your Mac or deleting the app will disable the block.

5. Map Domain Using Host Files/Terminal

Blocking websites in Safari on your Mac can be done by using host files. These files connect website names to their internet addresses. You can change these files to stop your Mac from reaching certain websites.

Here are the steps to map domain using host files:

• Open the Terminal application on your Mac. You can do this by searching for Terminal using Spotlight or by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal .

• In the Terminal window, type the following command to open the host’s file and press Enter :

• You will be prompted to enter your admin password. Enter it.
• Use the arrow keys to navigate to the bottom of the host’s file.
• To block a website, add the following line to the bottom of the file, replacing example.com with the URL of the website you want to block:
• You can add as many websites as you want by creating a new line for each website.
• Press Control ^ + O to save the changes to the host’s file.

• Press Control ^ + X to exit the editor.

• To make the changes take effect, flush the DNS cache on Mac by typing the following command in the Terminal:

• It will clear the cached DNS entries, forcing the Mac to use the updated host file.

Once you’ve completed these steps, Safari and other browsers on your Mac should no longer be able to access the websites you’ve blocked in the host file.

This method blocks the websites system-wide, so it will affect all users on your Mac. To unblock a website, remove the corresponding line from the host file and flush the DNS cache again.

How to Whitelist Specific Websites on Mac

Once you’ve set up Screen Time to limit websites, most adult websites will become inaccessible. But if you want to allow specific websites only, follow these steps:

• Follow the above steps from 1 to 3, and instead of Limit Adult Websites, select Allowed Websites Only in the Web Content window.

• Click the Customise button that appears.

• In the new window, click the + button in the bottom left corner.

• Type in the name and URL of the website you want to allow and tap Done .

• The website you add will appear in the list.

• Click Done to close the window.

Avoid Distractions While Browsing With MacKeeper

MacKeeper does not offer a feature to block websites on Safari. But it offers an Adware Cleaner that can detect and remove adware and potentially unwanted programs causing unwanted pop-ups or redirects to certain websites. This can indirectly help with blocking certain websites.

To use the Adware Cleaner feature in MacKeeper:

• Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
• Open MacKeeper and click Adware Cleaner in the left sidebar.

• Click Open .

• Click Start Scan to scan your system for adware and potentially unwanted programs.

• Once the scan is complete, review the list of detected items and select the ones you want to remove.
• If there are no malicious files, you’ll get a No items found message on your screen. Click Rescan to run the scan again or close the program.

While this may not directly block websites on Safari, removing adware and potentially unwanted programs can prevent unwanted pop-ups or redirects to those websites. So, it’s worth a try.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides removing adware on your Mac, MacKeeper can block ads on your Mac , disable pop-ups on Safari and other browsers, and remove browser extensions . Check out my MacKeeper review to learn about these features.

Why Would You Need to Block Websites on Safari?

Blocking websites on Safari can be necessary for several reasons:

• 🎯 Focus and Productivity : If you find yourself frequently distracted by certain websites while working or studying, blocking them can help maintain focus and boost productivity.
• 👪 Parental Controls : For parents, blocking websites is a way to ensure children don’t access inappropriate content or spend too much time on entertainment sites.
• 🔒 Online Safety : Blocking websites that are known for phishing, scams, or malicious content helps protect your personal information and your device’s security.
• 📶 Bandwidth Management : In some cases, especially in a workplace, blocking websites that consume a lot of bandwidth (like streaming services) can help maintain network performance.
• 💆 Digital Well-being : Sometimes, blocking websites can be a part of a digital detox strategy, helping reduce time spent on addictive sites and improving overall well-being.

In each case, the goal is to create a safer, more focused, and more productive online environment.

Block Unwanted Websites on Safari and Be More Productive

Now that you know how to block websites on Safari, you may want to take your productivity up a notch. Here are some more tips to make your Safari experience better.

• Clear Safari cache on your Mac to improve its performance and prevent slow loading times.
• If your Safari is crashing on Mac , troubleshoot the problem by updating it and clearing the cache and cookies.
• Update Safari on Mac to prevent crashes and improve its security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i unblock websites that i’ve blocked on safari on mac.

Yes, you can unblock websites previously blocked in Safari on your Mac. The method to unblock depends on how you blocked the site initially, whether through browser settings, a parental control app, or system files.

Can I password-protect the blocked websites?

No, you cannot password-protect the blocked websites using the built-in website-blocking feature on Safari. If you want to password-protect your blocked websites, use a third-party app or software that offers this feature.

Will blocking websites on Safari prevent me from accessing them on other devices?

No, blocking websites on Safari will not prevent you from accessing them on other devices. Blocking websites on Safari only affects your Safari browser on the device you set it up on. You can access those websites easily on other devices.

Can I block websites based on specific keywords?

No, you cannot block websites based on specific keywords using the built-in website blocking feature on Safari. However, some third-party apps or browser extensions allow blocking websites based on keywords or phrases.

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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uBlock Origin - Free, open-source ad content blocker.

Easy on cpu and memory..

Github (gorhill/uBlock)

uBlock Origin is not just an “ad blocker“, it's a wide-spectrum content blocker with CPU and memory efficiency as a primary feature.

Open-source ad blocker

The uBlock Origin is a free and open-source, cross-platform browser extension for content filtering—primarily aimed at neutralizing privacy invasion in an efficient, user-friendly method.

CPU and memory efficiency

Globally, uBlock Origin could save consumers more than $1.8 billion/year( study ). Open source ad blockers are a potentially effective technology for energy conservation.

Various browsers support

uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, MS Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

About uBlock Origin

In 2014 uBlock Origin’s founder, original author and lead developer, Raymond Hill, created the original uBlock extension, with its development initiated by forking the codebase of HTTP Switchboard with a separate blocking extension, uMatrix, which had been previously designed for advanced users. The initial uBlock was developed by Raymond Hill in order to enable community-maintained block lists while simultaneously adding additional features and upgrading the code quality to proper release standards. First released in June 2014 as an exclusive Chrome and Opera extension, in late 2015 the initial uBlock extension expanded to other browsers under its current name – uBlock Origin. (occasionally represented globally as – uBlock₀).

Following this 2015 introduction, a collaborative comsource and Sourcepoint industry research survey reported an 833% growth rate over a 10-month period ending in August 2016, the most rapid growth among any industry software publicly listed at that time. This report attributed this enormous surge to collective user demand for “pure” blockers with the capacity to operate outside the “acceptable advertising” program used by AdBlock, and other industry extensions.

Quickly gaining traction throughout the entire ad-blocking industry, the uBlock Origin Firefox version collected over 5 million active users, with its Chrome extension subsequently compiling over 10 million active users. Developer Nik Rolls then officially released uBlock Origin for the Microsoft Edge browser in December 2016.

In January 2017, uBlock Origin was added to the repositories for Debian 9 , and Ubuntu (16.04), and the uBlock Origin extension was awarded the prestigious IoT honor of “Pick of the Month” by Mozilla.

As of 2024, uBlock Origin continues to be maintained and actively developed by founder and lead developer Raymond Hill.

The uBlock Origin extension remains an industry leading, open-source, cross-platform browser extension with software developed specifically for multiple platform use, and as of 2024, uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

The uBlock Origin project still specifically refuses donations at this time, and instead advises all of its clients, users and supporters to donate to block list maintainers.

What is the Best Free Ad Blocker for Safari?

Key points:.

• Online ads can harm your browsing experience, privacy, and security, especially on Safari, which lacks built-in ad blocking.
• Ghostery is one of the best ad blockers for Safari which blocks ads, prevents tracking, rejects cookie consent requests, and works across multiple devices.
• Download Ghostery’s free ad blocker extension for Safari and enjoy a faster, cleaner, and safer browsing experience.

Safari is one of the most popular web browsers in the world. It offers a fast, smooth, and user-friendly interface that makes browsing a pleasure.

But you probably know how annoying and intrusive online ads can be. They can slow down your browsing, distract you from the content you want to see, and even compromise your security and privacy.

That’s why using one of the best ad blockers is essential for enhancing your online experience.

Benefits of Using Safari

Safari is a web browser that offers many privacy and security features:

• Intelligent Tracking Prevention limits third-party cookies and data by default, preventing advertisers from tracking your online activity and collecting your personal information.
• Privacy Reports show you how many trackers Safari has blocked on each site you visit, and which websites are the most common sources of trackers.
• Private Browsing Windows stops Safari from remembering the websites you’ve visited, storing any new usernames, passwords, payments cards, and other information you input, and forgetting any search engine queries you’ve run.
• Security indicators and malware protection warn you if you’re visiting a suspected phishing website or a site that contains malicious content, and display a lock icon next to the URL if the site is secure.
• Control over what information you share online , such as preventing cross-site tracking, hiding your IP address from known trackers.

These features make Safari a safe and reliable web browser that protects your data and enhances your online experience. ( Read more about Safari’s privacy features.)

However, Safari is not immune to the problems caused by online advertising due to Safari’s lack of built-in ad blocking features.

What is an Ad Blocker Extension?

An ad blocker extension is a software program that you can install on your web browser to block or filter out unwanted online ads.

The extension works by scanning the web pages you visit and identifying the elements that are related to advertising. Then, it prevents those elements from loading or displaying on your screen.

The benefits of using an ad blocker extension are numerous. For example, an ad blocker extension can:

• Speed up your browsing by reducing the amount of data and resources used by ads.
• Protect your privacy by preventing advertisers from tracking your online activity and collecting your personal information for later targeting.
• Improve your user experience by eliminating annoying and distracting ads and pup-ups that interfere with the content you want to see.

Why Use an Ad Blocker Extension for Safari?

Safari is a great web browser that offers many advantages to its users. However, it also has some drawbacks when it comes to online advertising.

For instance:

• Safari does not have a built-in ad blocker feature to block ads, unlike some other browsers such as Chrome or Firefox.
• Safari’s underlying technology for ad blocker extensions is limited compared to other browsers that give developers more options and variety to thoroughly block trackers and ads.

These factors make Safari users more vulnerable to the negative effects of online advertising. That’s why ad blockers for Safari is highly recommended if you want to enjoy a better and safer browsing experience.

Ghostery, The Best Free Ad Blocker Extension for Safari

There are many ad blockers for Safari, but not all of them are equally effective or reliable. Some of them may not block all types of ads, slow down your browser performance, and even sell your data to third parties.

However, Ghostery is a trusted and reputable brand that has been providing ad blocking and privacy protection solutions for close to 15 years. Ghostery’s Safari ad blocker extension has several features that make it stand out from the rest:

• Ad Blocking: Blocks ads, including banners, pop-ups, video ads, and social media ads.
• Anti-Tracking: Prevents advertisers from tracking your online activity and collecting your personal information. You can also see who is tracking you on each site and why they’re blocked.
• Never-Consent : Automatically rejects cookie consent requests that pop up on many websites. This way, you don’t have to waste time clicking on them or giving away your consent to unwanted cookies.
• Ghostery Panel: Gives you access to a handy panel that shows you the number of ads and trackers blocked on each site. You can also access Ghostery’s settings and support from the panel.

Ad Blocker for Safari on iPad, iPhone, & Mac

One of the best things about Ghostery’s ad blocker on Safari is that it works across multiple devices and operating systems.

Whether you use Safari on your iPad, iPhone, or Mac, you can enjoy the same level of ad blocking and privacy protection with Ghostery.

How to Install Ghostery's Ad Blocker Extension on Safari

To install Ghostery’s ad blocker extension for Safari on your device:

• Go to our website and click on Get Ghostery .
• Follow the on-screen instructions to add the extension to your browser.
• Enjoy an ad-free browsing experience with Ghostery!

Never installed a browser extension on Safari? No worries. Check out our instructions on how to get started or watch our YouTube video guide .

Once you’re finished, you can start blocking ads on your iPhone on any website you visit.

Final Thoughts

Online advertising can be a nuisance and a threat to your experience. That’s why you need an ad blocker extension for Safari, the web browser that millions of people use every day. And the best ad blocker for Safari for you might be Ghostery.

Block all kinds of online ads (including functioning as a Safari YouTube ad blocker), prevent advertisers from tracking you, and reject cookie consent popups. And you can do all that on any device that runs Safari, whether it’s an iPad, an iPhone, or a Mac.

Get in touch if you have any questions. We’re always happy to help.

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How to Block a Website on Safari

We'll show you the two best methods to block websites on Safari for your Mac.

Looking for the best way to block websites on your iPhone or Mac? Whether you want to protect your child from visiting an inappropriate site or prevent yourself from getting distracted when working, you can quickly and effortlessly block certain sites on Safari.

Below, we look at the methods you can use to block and restrict websites on your iPhone and Mac. We'll show you how to use Screen Time and third-party apps to do so.

How to Block Websites on Your iPhone Using Screen Time

Let's first look at how to block a website on your iPhone indefinitely. For example, if your child uses your device, it's important to put parental controls on an iPhone , which includes blocking adult websites and other age-restricted sites on your device.

Follow these steps to block a website in Safari on your iPhone:

• Go to Settings > Screen Time . If you haven't enabled Screen Time before, tap Turn On Screen Time and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions .
• Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions . Tap Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites . This setting doesn't guarantee that all pornographic sites will get blocked on your iPhone, though. So, if there's a specific website you want to block, carry out the next two steps.
• Tap Add Website under Never Allow .
• Type the URL of the website and tap Done to save.

How to Restrict Website Access on Your iPhone Using Screen Time

In some cases, you might not want to block a website on your iPhone's Safari app permanently. Therefore, you can opt to just restrict the amount of time a website can be accessed on your iPhone.

This method is mostly handy for parents who want to restrict the time their children spend on a particular site, like a social media platform. You can use it to control your own usage, too. Here's how to restrict access to a website on your iPhone:

• In your iPhone's Screen Time settings, go to App Limits > Add Limit > Websites .
• Select a site from the dropdown, or tap Add Website to type the URL. Then, tap Done > Next .
• Scroll to set the length of time allowed to access the site. Tap Add .
• Toggle on Use Screen Time Passcode . Enter your preferred passcode.

Now, if you set a limit of one hour, Safari will block the site once it has been accessed for an hour for the day. To access the restricted site, the user will need to enter the Screen Time passcode.

How to Use BlockSite to Block Websites on Your iPhone

If you feel that using Screen Time to block websites on your iPhone is a little cumbersome, an alternative is to use a third-party app like BlockSite. Follow these steps to block websites on your iPhone's Safari app without Screen Time:

• Launch BlockSite . Tap Block Something .
• Type a URL in the search field. Select the site listed in the search results and tap Next .
• Set how many days and for how long you want the site to be blocked on your iPhone. Tap Next .
• Tap Done to save.

Once the app has blocked the website on your iPhone, it will not load in Safari when you try to access it. You'll only see a Safari cannot open the page message.

Download: BlockSite (Free, subscription available)

How to Block Websites on Your Mac Using Screen Time

Although you can also use the Terminal app to block any website on your Mac , that's a lot more intimidating. It also leaves the chance that something could go wrong.

Therefore, let's use easier methods. They're similar to how you would block websites on your iPhone. Here's what you need to do to block a website on your Mac using Screen Time:

• Click the Apple menu , then click System Settings > Screen Time .
• Toggle on Screen Time if you haven't used it before.
• Go to Content & Privacy . Toggle on Content & Privacy . Click Content Restrictions .
• For Access to Web Content , change to Limit Adult Sites . Click Customize , then the Add (+) icon under Restricted . Type the web address in the URL field and click Done .
• Click Done again to save.

When you try to access the blocked website, Safari will inform you that you can't do so because it's not on the approved list in Screen Time.

How to Restrict Website Access on Your Mac Using Screen Time

To block access to a website in Safari once it has been used for a period of time, follow these steps in macOS:

• Click the Apple Menu , then go to System Settings > Screen Time .
• Next, click App Limits and toggle on App Limits .
• Click Add Limit . Scroll down to find Websites . Click the dropdown arrow and type in the website URL in the empty field.
• In the Time field, you can choose the exact amount of time that you want to be able to spend on the chosen website.
• To set a different limit for a site depending on the day, click Custom > Edit and type in the amount of time you wish to spend scrolling through that website for any specific day.
• When you're ready, click Done .

If you're restricting a website on Safari, not for yourself, but to prevent your child from visiting it, remember to set a Screen Time passcode. That way, only the people who know that passcode would have the ability to change the settings.

In your Screen Time settings, toggle on Use Screen Time Passcode . Then, enter a memorable passcode to use.

Knowing how to turn off Screen Time on your Mac is also a handy skill to have since you might want to disable this feature after some time. You'll need your Screen Time passcode to do this.

How to Block Websites on Your Mac Using Safari Site Blockers

Many Mac users find it a bit complicated to use Screen Time to block a Safari website. It actually may take a while to get everything just right. The easier way around this problem is to install a dedicated Safari site blocker app instead. Below are two such apps you can use.

It's free to download and use but has a monthly and yearly pro subscription available. Among the features of the free version is the ability to block websites, so if that's what you're aiming for, you won't need to get a paid subscription.

To block websites on Safari using the 1Focus app, all you need to do is launch it, click the plus (+) icon, and type in the website URL in the field that appears. Then, hit Return on your keyboard. It's that easy.

Download: 1Focus (Free, subscription available)

If you're looking for a fancier option, take a look at the Focus City app. People who like to use a Pomodoro timer to increase their productivity levels will enjoy this application even more. It is also free to install and use. However, to get all of the features that come with this app, you'll need to get the Pro version.

Here's how to use Focus City to block certain websites on Safari on your Mac:

• Launch Focus City or click the app icon in the menu bar.
• Now, click Blocked to add a website that you want to block on Safari.
• Double-click the example field to edit it. Type in the full URL of the site and hit Enter on your keyboard.
• To add another website, click on the plus (+) icon.
• Click Build to start your first Pomodoro session and block the added websites.

Download: Focus City (Free, subscription available)

Quickly Block a Website on Safari Using Any Method

At the moment, you can't block a website directly from the Safari browser on your iPhone and Mac. In many cases, this is what stops people from doing it since they think this process may get highly complicated, but the steps are actually quite easy.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose either the Screen Time feature to block a site on Safari or get a suitable third-party app. Both of the methods are straightforward, and you shouldn't have any issues when blocking a website on your iPhone or Mac.

• Entertainment

How to Block Websites in Safari on iPhone and Mac

How to Block Websites in Safari on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS (June 2021)

How to block websites in safari using screen time on iphone and ipad.

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

4. Next up, turn on the switch next to “ Content & Privacy Restrictions ” and tap on the “ Content Restrictions ” option.

Going forward, if someone tries to access the website through Safari, it will show you an “ Access Restricted ” error message. Besides, there will also be a warning saying, “You can’t browse this page at www.xyz.com because it’s restricted.”

How to Block Websites in Safari Using Screen Time on Mac

• Launch “ System Preferences ” from the dock on your Mac. Alternately, click on the Apple icon at the top left corner and click on System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

2. Now, choose Screen Time.

7. That’s it! Now onwards, Safari won’t open this website. Whenever someone tries to open any of the blocked websites, the browser will show a warning saying, “Oops! You can’t see pages on this website. You can’t see the page “https://www.xyz.com/” because it’s not on the approved list in Screen Time.”

How to Block Websites in Safari Using AppCrypt on Mac

• First off, download Cisdem AppCrypt ( Free , in-app purchases available) on your Mac and set a password. Make sure to remember your AppCrypt password as you cannot reset or retrieve it in the future. Click on “Submit” once you are done.

3. Next, click the “+” button at the bottom left and add the URL of the website you want to block in Safari on your Mac. If you want to block all sites except a few, use the Allowlist feature.

How to Block Websites in Safari Using a Third-Party App on iPhone and iPad

• Download the website blocker app ( Free ) on your iPhone or iPad. Then, launch the app and set a login password and log in.

Note : Ensure that the website blocker is enabled in Safari. Open Settings app -> Safari -> Content Blockers (in iOS 14) or Extensions (in iOS 15 or later) and then make sure that the toggle next to the website blocker app is turned on. 

Block Websites in Safari with ease on iOS and macOS

Rajesh Mishra

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

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How to block a website on Safari

Block unwanted websites on Safari in just a few short steps

If you own a  MacBook , iPad or iPhone , chances are that you’re using Safari . And if you have kids that use your Apple devices, they’re also using the web browser. However, while you might like to have free reign of your devices, there are some websites you would rather younger users even have access to due to inappropriate content. In those cases, it’s important to know how to block a website on Safari . 

Since the internet can be an unpredictable place for even the most savvy of users,  oftentimes it is best just to limit access to what children can and cannot view. In this tutorial, we will be showing you how to block a website on Safari.

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1) Navigate to the top of your laptop screen and click on the Apple logo . 

2) A dropdown menu will appear . Scroll down in the menu and click on the System Preferences tab.

3) Once in System Preferences, navigate to the bottom of your menu and click on the Parental Controls tab.

4) In the Parental Controls tab, select the account that you wish to make changes to by selecting the name on the right-hand side of the screen, as well as selecting the lock icon.

5) After selecting the lock icon, log into your computer’s administrator account and continue.

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6) Next, select the account that you wish to make changes to on the left side of the screen. The account I will be accessing is called Demo 1.

7) At the top of the task bar, navigate over to the Web tab. Click on the Web tab . While in the tab, click on Try to limit access to adult websites and from there hit Customize.

8) In the Customize tab , scroll down to the bottom of the screen, and click the + icon under the Never allow these websites tab. From there, you may add any website that you wish to be blocked, and the access to that website will be restricted.

9) Log into the other account and attempt to view the blocked site. It should now be inaccessible. 

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The Most Beautiful & Powerful Ad Blocker for Safari

Multiple filters, enhanced tracking protection, designed for safari.

• See What's Blocked Discover how many companies are trying to track you. Available in 1Blocker for Mac only.
• Turn off Blocking When you want to support your favorite blog by allowing ads, but still want to block tracking and social buttons on that site.
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1Blocker for Mac

1blocker for ios, 1blocker for visionos.

• 1Blocker has been my Content Blocker of choice for the past couple of years. The new version increases the number of built-in rules and has an interesting roadmap. Insta-purchase for me. Federico Viticci Founder and Editor-in-Chief of MacStories
• I like 1Blocker enough that I've stopped thinking about blockers. John Gruber Daring Fireball
• 1Blocker is a fast, secure, and robust tool for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that empowers users to put a stop to invasive online content. Whether you're a developer, an entrepreneur, or an entire website-building team, this multipurpose solution can be used to enhance privacy, speed up the browsing experience, and even boost productivity. Christine Preusler Contributing Editor at HostingAdvice
• 1Blocker provides a powerful way to carve out your web-browsing experience in Safari 13 while still working within Apple's new constraints. 1Blocker's extension lists, simplicity, and effectiveness mean that it's a worthwhile purchase and I recommend it. Glenn Fleishman Senior Contributor at Macworld

The best ad blockers in 2024

Say goodbye to irritating online advertising with the best ad blockers

Best in-browser ad blockers

Best ad-blocking apps, best ad-blocking mobile apps, other privacy-focused extensions and apps.

The best ad blockers are crucial to survive on the modern internet. It often feels like it's impossible to go anywhere online without being harassed by pop-ups, tracker cookies, malvertising and all sort of digital nasties that seem hell-bent on ruining your browsing. The worse part is that these things still plague you if your browsing is above-board — putting you at risk.

Thankfully there's no shortage of apps and browser extensions that can block ads and keep you safer when you're online. Blocking ads and all the other irrelevant stuff that you may encounter. Combined with the best antivirus software and the best VPNs , a good ad-blocker gives you a perfect arsenal of tools to offer as much protection as possible. Even the FBI recommends using an ad-blocker for protection.

The only thing you need to figure out is which ad-blocker is right for you. There are so many to choose from, and whether you are willing to live with the downsides. Most free sites rely on advertising revenue to survive, including Tom's Guide. But if you're happy with the trade-off, we've got a thorough list of the best ad blockers and privacy tools — with options for every browser and platform.

The best ad blockers you can get today

1. adblock plus (chrome, edge, firefox, opera, safari, android, ios).

AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge and Opera. ABP features a quick setup, loading preset filter lists that allow users to quickly block most ads, as well as the option to filter malware and social media buttons. 

Savvy users can chose additional block lists as well as set custom filters or whitelist their favorite sites to keep their ad revenue in the black. AdBlock Plus allows what it calls "non-intrusive advertising" through filters; that may irk some users, though this feature can be disabled in settings. 

On Android, the AdBlock Browser provides a Firefox-based browser that blocks incoming advertising, while on iOS, the AdBlock Plus app integrates with the content blocker system to seamlessly block advertising on Safari with minimal setup.

Download AdBlock Plus: Firefox , Chrome , Safari , Opera , Edge

2. AdBlock (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

AdBlock (no relation to AdBlock Plus) is the other best ad-blocking browser extension of note, available for users of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. AdBlock uses a series of filter lists to automatically block ad content coming from known ad servers and providers. Users can stick with the default block lists, subscribe to additional ones, or even create their own, as well as whitelist their favorite websites. 

As one of the most downloaded Chrome and Safari extensions, AdBlock has the trust of many users worldwide.

Download AdBlock: Chrome , Firefox , Safari , Edge

3. uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox)

Ublock Origin is a browser-based ad blocker that focuses on simple, efficient blocking with a low resource overhead. The extension comes loaded with a number of filter lists for known advertising and malware sources, with extra filter lists available and the option to read and create your own custom filters from hosts files.

Download Ublock Origin: Chrome , Firefox

4. Poper Blocker (Chrome)

Rather than be an all-in one blocking solution, Poper Blocker (aka Pop Up Blocker For Chrome), is designed to complement other adblockers. 

In this case, Poper Blocker focuses on blocking pop-ups, pop-unders, overlays, timed and scroll pop-ups, and other varieties that might slip past other ad-blocking extensions. Small notifications tell you when pop-ups are blocked. You also can view your blocking stats, but otherwise, you can generally just keep Poper Blocker running in the background with minimal impact alongside other adblocker extensions.

Download Poper Blocker: Chrome

5. Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome)

For a fast and light ad-blocking plugin, Chrome users can turn to Stands Fair AdBlocker. The extension does precisely what it promises, blocking ads and pop-ups from cluttering up your browser view while also preventing any tracking from going on. 

Stand's Fair AdBlocker gives you control over the type of ads you can block, specifying everything from autoplay video ads, YouTube ads, expanding ads and more. It can even block Facebook ads if you want.

The "Fair" part of AdBlocker comes into play by giving you the ability to allow certain types of ads or even whitelist ad-supported websites you don't want to shortchange of badly needed revenue. This is one ad blocker that doesn't take a scorched earth approach to its stated purpose.

Download Stands Fair AdBlocker: Chrome

6. Ghostery (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge)

Like the other extensions on our list of the best ad blockers, Ghostery can remove ads from webpages, so you can focus on content and browse more efficiently. But the real value in Ghostery lies in its privacy protection features. You can use Ghostery to view trackers, which lets you see who's trying to collect data on you. With Ghostery, you can also stop that tracking from taking place. If you really want to safeguard your privacy, you can turn to Ghostery's Enhanced Anti Tracking to anonymize your data.

Ghostery's a free download that offers basic web protection. More advanced protection starts at $4.99 a month and the $11.99 monthly tier comes with a built-in VPN. There are also versions of Ghostery that work with Android and iOS devices.

Download Ghostery: Chrome , Firefox , Opera , Safari , Edge

7. Adblocker for YouTube (Chrome, Firefox)

YouTube has gotten more aggressive with ads, so the makers of ad-blocking extensions have followed suit. Adblocker for YouTube is a Chrome extension that promises to automatically block YouTube ads, whether we're talking about the pre-roll ad appearing before your video or any text and banner ads that appear on the video itself.

If you prefer Firefox to Chrome, there's also an AdBlocker for YouTube extension that works on that browser. Same name, different developer apparently, but the functionality of stripping out video and display ads remains. This version works on Android devices too.

Download Adblocker for YouTube: Chrome , Firefox

1. AdGuard (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)

Uses looking for a more robust experience can try out the subscription-based AdGuard, which provides desktop and mobile options to reduce the ads you see when surfing online. 

AdGuard on Windows and Mac covers popular browsers, with highly configurable options for ads, content, and tracker blocking, as well as a parental controls module for restricting adult content. AdGuard for Android is a no-root ad-blocker that blocks advertising on apps and games, though you’ll have to install it from AdGuard’s site instead of through Google Play. AdGuard for iOS works with Safari to effectively filter ads on the default browser.

Download AdGuard: Windows , Mac , Android , iOS

2. AdLock ($33 per year)

AdLock avoids the browser-based route, instead opting to run as a separate program to be able to block not only browser-based ads, but also advertising in other programs like Skype or games. 

The app runs in the background, using filters to block ads, popups, and autoplaying videos, speeding up loading times and applying Safe Browsing features to automatically block sites that are known to be unsafe. 

For obvious reasons, the mobile version is unavailable on the Google Play Store, so you'll need to sideload the app if you want to get AdLock into your Android device. iOS users can download AdLock directly from Apple's App Store.

Download AdLock: Windows , Chrome ,  Android , Mac , iOS

3. Wipr (macOS, iOS; $1.99)

If you’re a Safari fan, Wipr may be the best ad blocker for both your Mac and iPhone. The app is available for both iOS and macOS — costing $1.99 from either Apple App Store — and it promises to work with Safari as well as apps that use Safari for displaying web pages.

You’ll find a full array of features with Wipr, which not only blocks apps and trackers, but cryptocurrency miners, EU cookie and GDPR notices and anything else that gets in your way of surfing the web. Its blocklist gets updated twice a week, and there’s little configuration; the idea is that you load Wipr and forget that it’s there while it does its job in the background.

With Wipr, pages should load faster in Safari, which will be particularly welcome if you’re surfing from an iPhone, where ads and trackers can bog down your browser’s speed.

Download Wipr: macOS , iOS

1. 1Blocker (iOS)

1Blocker was one of the first really good ad blockers on iOS when Apple opened up that functionality on iPhones and iPads; the apps has since been optimized for Safari. 

The app is designed to make browsing faster and more secure by blocking ads, popups, trackers and other online cruft. Rather than blocking content of a downloaded page, 1Blocker works with Safari's content blocker API to tell the browser what to block in advance, saving time and resources. 

1Blocker features more than 115,000 blocker rules, custom regional adblocking settings, and easy-to-use custom rules settings. The app is a free download, with premium features available as in-app purchases.

Download 1Blocker: iOS

2. Firefox Focus (Android, iOS)

Firefox Focus is another addition to Mozilla's family of browsers. This one's a privacy-oriented version of Firefox that bakes in ad-blocking and anti-tracking into a light and functional package. Firefox Focus blocks ads and speeds up browsing, while also working in privacy-friendly features like automatic history and cookie clearing. 

Users can selectively block ads, analytics, content and social trackers with easy toggles, turn on a "stealth" mode, and set a default search engine.

Our look at the best Android browsers has more on the various flavors of Firefox.

Download Firefox Focus: Android , iOS

3. AdClear (Android, iOS)

AdClear — or AdClear Plus if you're searching for the iOS version — offers the kind of mobile ad blocking in browsers that similar apps provide. But AdClear takes it one step farther by also blocking ads in apps. 

AdClear achieves this through a DNS changer feature that routes traffic through a VPN. AdClear doesn't catch everything in all apps, and in our experience, some apps ran a little slower. But this free download can put a stop to ads interrupting what you're trying to do whether in an app or a browser.

Download AdClear: Android , iOS

1. Decentraleyes (Chrome, Firefox)

Some times, blocking ads can also prevent websites fromn pulling needed resoruces and libraries from third-party sources, breaking web pages in the process. Decentraleyes tries to stop that from happening by acting as a local content delivery network emulator to serve up the files that websites need. By doing so, this extension can stop websites from sending out requests to the likes of Google Hosted Libraries.

Think of Decentraleyes as a complement to ad blockers. In fact, the extension specifically says it can work with uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus, both of which we recommend up above.

Download Decentraleyes: Chrome , Firefox

2. Opera (Desktop, Android, iOS)

The Opera browser bakes in ad-blocking features into the browser without the need for an extra add-on, while also offering privacy-friendly tools such as an unlimited, built-in VPN service, incognito mode, fraud and malware warnings for suspicious links and pages, and more. In addition, you can further customize Opera's capabilities with a wide array of extensions. 

Mobile users need not fret, as the Android version comes with just about everything the desktop version has but built for touch-screen interfaces. On iOS, the mobile version of Opera is listed in Apple's App Store as Opera Touch. (Incidentally, we've got a guide on how you can use Opera to block ads on the iPhone .)

Download Opera: Mac or Windows , Android , iOS

3. Privacy Badger (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Privacy Badger browser extension was born from the EFF's concerns about the business models of some privacy tools and ad blockers. 

Privacy Badger functions similarly to extensions like AdBlock Plus (on which it was based), observing the various tracking tools that advertisers and other third parties might use to track your online activities and selectively blocking them from executing. Built-in learning algorithms adapt to the sites you visit and take any new tracking tools discovered into account. 

While not explicitly an ad blocker, Privacy Badger does also block some advertising, depending on how aggressively the ads track you across websites.

Download Privacy Badger: Chrome , Firefox , Opera

4. Tor Browser (Desktop, Android)

The Tor network helps anonymize your internet activity by bouncing the data you send and receive through a distributed anonymous network of routers to foil a common online surveillance technique called traffic analysis, which can reveal the sites you visit or who you're communicating with. 

The Tor Browser is an all-in-one package that includes everything you need to surf the net through the Tor network in an easy-to-install portable package. The package includes a modified version of Firefox with privacy aids such as NoScript baked in, and an automatic setup aid that makes it easy to connect to and create new Tor circuits. 

On the desktop, you can grab a version of Tor Browser for Windows, macOS or Linux. There's also a version of Tor Browser for Android, which replaces the previous OrBot + OrFox combination recommended for browsing Tor on Android.

Download Tor Browser: Desktop , Android

5. Onion Browser (iOS)

iOS users aren’t left out when it comes to browsing the Tor anonymizer network, with the Onion Browser among the more popular options on Apple’s mobile OS. 

Previously a premium app, Onion Browser has since moved to a donation model, opening up access to everyone who wants to download the app, without compromising security or features. The usual caveats apply: Browsing through Tor will slow down the web experience, and some features, like video streams and video files won’t work in order to preserve anonymity.

Download Onion Browser: iOS

How to choose the best ad blocker for you

Many of the best ad blockers are available for free, either as extensions or as standalone apps, though a few, like AdLock, charge a fee. Determine if the free services provide enough ad-blocking to meet your needs or whether a paid app delivers more for your money. You should also figure out if a browser extension will take care of your ad-blocking needs or whether you should consider switching browsers to one with more built-in privacy features.

You can narrow down your choice in ad blockers by deciding specifically what you're looking to accomplish with such an app or extension. Do you just want to stop annoying pop-up ads from appearing or do you want the full range of services, including privacy features and an end to ad-tracking? Grab the ad blocker that ticks off all the boxes on your wishlist.

Some ad blockers, such as AdBlock Plus include filters and the ability to let in non-obtrusive advertising. Others, like AdBlocker Ultimate, take a more aggressive approach. Find out which one best suits your needs and comfort level.

As we noted at the outset, there's also an ethical component to ad blockers. Do you feel comfortable keeping ad revenue out of the hands of sites you enjoy and use for free? As good as the best ad blockers are, that's still a trade-off you need to consider when deciding whether to install one as a browser extension or as a standalone app. 

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• kep55 I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use. Reply

kep55 said: I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use.

• View All 2 Comments

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1Focus - App & Website Blocker 4+

Stay focused & get things done, niklas behrens.

• 4.7 • 1.8K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

1Focus lets you block distracting websites and apps. Stay focused and skyrocket your productivity! 1Focus has over 100,000 users and a 4.7-star average rating worldwide. "1Focus creates an oasis for focused work by disabling access to specific websites and apps." – Apple, App Store highlight With countless websites and apps offering unlimited entertainment just a click away, staying focused is difficult, especially when working from home on a tedious task. Unfortunately, distractions can lower your productivity and the quality of your work, leading to frustration. As a habit, procrastination can seriously harm your life. Fortunately, 1Focus is here to help. It lets you block distracting websites and apps to stay focused and get things done. With 1Focus, you will beat procrastination and prioritize what truly matters. At the end of each day, you will feel proud for having taken meaningful steps toward achieving your dreams. FEATURES Free forever: • Block websites across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc. • Block apps (e.g. Mail). • Block internet access by blocking the installed web browsers and the App Store. • Designed for Mac. • You can configure it to be impossible to bypass. • Shows a motivational quote when a website is blocked. • Continuously developed since 2014. • Secure: 1Focus has minimal access to your computer and does not change any system settings. • Private: 1Focus does not upload any data or track you. It is developed in Germany. • Timely, helpful and friendly customer support. 1Focus Pro: • Block durations longer than 6 hours at a time. • Schedule recurring blocks (e.g. Mon-Fri during working hours). • Block all websites except specific ones. • Block all apps except specific ones. • Create multiple block lists for different purposes or schedules. • Pause blocking for a limited time. You can increase the pausing allowance only when blocking is inactive. The default allowance is 0 minutes (no pausing). • Block URL keywords using asterisks (e.g. *news*). • Block popular websites by category (e.g. social media). 1Focus Pro is entirely optional. Try it free for 14 days. $1.99/month or $9.99/year after. Wondering why a subscription model? https://onefocusapp.com/subscription-model/ Prices may vary by location. The 1Focus Pro subscription is charged to your iTunes Account. It automatically renews unless you cancel it in the Account Settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your Account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. Any unused portion of the free trial is forfeited when you unsubscribe. https://onefocusapp.com/terms/ PARENTAL CONTROL 1Focus is designed for personal productivity. For parental control, download Parental Control instead. It is similar to 1Focus but features password protection. https://parentalcontrolmac.com BLOG Free articles on productivity and focus, including interviews with experts: https://onefocusapp.com/blog/ Follow us on Instagram for quick tips based on the blog posts: https://www.instagram.com/onefocusapp/ SUPPORT Do you have any questions or suggestions? https://onefocusapp.com/support/

Version 3.5

- Supports web browser Arc. - Menu bar item opens 1Focus immediately. - Improved Spanish translation.

Ratings and Reviews

1.8K Ratings

Worth the yearly subscription

This app's 10$ yearly subscription is absolutely worth it. Although I consider myself a workaholic, I do find myself going down rabbit holes. So it's not that I binge-waste a bunch of time. It's just that when I have access to google in my research, it allows me to go down rabbit holes that are irrelevant to my lectures. Therefore, I use this to simply have my document page and research program open... using my resources within the research program. When I am tempted to chase a thought on Google, this keeps me grounded. I'm really sold on this app, especially it's great price. Anyone who wants greater focus and the ability to be more productive with time, this is the app. Think of this. 5 minutes of this or that every couple of hours adds up to 30 minutes up to 2 hours per day. What a waste of time when that time can be redeemed. Get after it!

More I Use = More Flawed It Gets

The longer I use this app, the more I become aware of its long list of limitations. Despite the fact that I have had a subscription for a month or so now, which I now fully regret purchasing, I continue to find issues with this app. I have spent many hours frustrated with how this app functions. First, the fact that there is no option to switch on or off non-active scheduled blocks, like you can with the iPhone Alarm app, is ridiculous and a huge inconvenience to me. Instead, if I no longer want something repeated, I literally have to remake all the blocks ONE BY ONE, which is extremely tedious. Furthermore, the fact that the only repeat options are daily, the entire weekend, every weekday, or just one day of the week is ALSO extremely annoying. Want to schedule a block for Monday and Wednesday? Well, your only option is to create two separate blocks instead of just one because of how this app is built. Lastly, being unable to adjust a block's timing sometimes becomes a huge irritation. I understand the intention is to prevent our bad habits from not adhering to the block but sometimes, I have to adjust the time. However, I'm only allowed to do so after the block has passed, forcing me to wait for hours without ANY option. There are many other issues. I am actively looking for a cheap alternative to this mess.

Developer Response ,

Hi, please email [email protected] to discuss solutions for the problems you are experiencing with 1Focus.

Focus Is Effective

I created a huge blocklist of gaming websites that my son can't access. and it is so far so good. I also blocked gaming apps including the app store, which is where he downloads those games. I block everything related to video games on his Mac. It helps keep him focused during school hours, especially now with covid making school online at home. All I do is set the time every night to 23 hours and 59 minutes, and my son can't acess anything gaming-related. If he finds a new website, I go to his history and I block that website if it is related to gaming. The best part is, unlike google block extensions, is that he can't find a way to unblock it or delete focus as long as the timer is running. I love it. Thank you so much for creating this undefeatable app!

App Privacy

The developer, Niklas Behrens , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish

• 1Focus Pro Monthly $1.99
• 1Focus Pro Yearly $9.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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How to Block a Website in Safari

Last Updated: August 10, 2022

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd . Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 623,587 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent Safari from accessing a specific site on both iPhone and Mac platforms. You can change this setting from within the Restrictions menu on an iPhone, but you'll need to edit the hosts file on Mac if you want to block a site on desktop.

• If you haven't yet turned on Restrictions, instead tap Enable Restrictions and then enter your preferred passcode twice.

• The line will look something like this: 127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com .
• If you're blocking multiple websites, each URL must be on its own line.

Community Q&A

• Blocking a website from the Restrictions menu will also block it in other browsers on your iOS device. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

• Blocking a website in the hosts file will also block that website in all browsers on your Mac. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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About This Article

1. Open your iPhone's Settings . 2. Tap General . 3. Tap Restrictions and enter your passcode. 4. Tap Websites in the "ALLOWED CONTENT" section. 5. Tap Limit Adult Content . 6. Tap Add a Website in the "NEVER ALLOW" section. 7. Enter your website's URL. 8. Tap Done . Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Best free web filter of 2024

Check out our top picks and pick out a web filter that fits your needs

Best overall

Best for productivity, best for chrome, best for households, best for inappropriate sites, best for linux, best av with filtering, best for web-borne threats, best for blocking everything, best for windows.

• How we test

1. Best overall 2. Best for productivity 3. Best for Chrome 4. Best for households 5. Best for inappropriate sites 6. Best for Linux 7. Best AV with filtering 8. Best for web-borne threats 9. Best for blocking everything 10. Best for Windows 11. FAQ 12. How we test

The best free web filters make it simple and easy to keep your family safe from unwelcome content by blocking unwanted websites and content, without having to pay.

Whether you're concerned about cybersecurity in your business environment or that your household is being contaminated with toxic content on the web, by choosing the best free web filter you’ll save yourself from such worries. Mind you, the web filter of your choice doesn’t have to come free of charge, but since there are some fine free options as well – be sure to check them out before preparing to pick up the tab.

Installing such web filtering software should not take more than a couple of minutes, yet it can serve as the first line of defense against malware and similar sorts of cyber threats. It often starts with seemingly safe links, banners, or pop-ups that, when clicked on, will take their unsuspecting victims to unsafe sites filled with malware , ransomware , fraudulent surveys, and all types of scams that sought to steal your personal information.

So, to help you find the best free web filter for this year, we’ll take a deep dive into web filtering solutions in the market that are either completely free of charge or offer free tiers.

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The best free web filters of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. Qustodio

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

While Qustodio is an all-in-one security solution geared towards parents, its primary purpose is to block suspicious and harmful sites that are swarming with viruses and cybercriminals waiting to steal your personal information – and it keeps you safe through 29 filter categories.

Although features of a free plan are pretty limited in comparison to paid ones, they still include some hefty ones like screen time monitoring, setting time limits and restricted periods, as well as daily and weekly reports via email.

Being simple to install and set up on desktops and smartphones alike, Qustodio is also simple to use thanks to its intuitive, user-friendly interface.

Besides being somewhat short on features (no social media monitoring, no calls nor SMS monitoring, and no family locator), a free plan doesn’t support multiple devices – which is a deal-breaker if you want to monitor more than a single device. 

• ^ Back to the top

2. BlockSite

If you’re looking for a web filter that’ll help you be less prone to procrastination and live up to your expectation about being productive – BlockSite might be your best bet, and it’s free to boot.

BlockSite functions as an extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and an application for Android and iOS – and it stays true to its name and blocks sites for you. You can block each site, app, or keyword separately or block them all by category, receive usage reports about your devices, sync blocks across multiple devices, and much more.

Its core features include a custom blocklist, scheduled site and app blocking, and password protection. Also, BlockSite is incredibly intuitive and simple to use – you just need to copy the URL of the site you want to block, hit enter, and it’s on your blocklist.

While you can always enjoy the benefits of BlockSite completely free of charge, a premium plan aimed at businesses is coming soon and it’s going to cost a perfectly reasonable $1.99 per month.

With Guardio you can forget about all your worries about malware, phishing attacks, and identity theft – this lightweight extension for Google Chrome is created for safe and speedy browsing. Besides blocking suspicious sites and scams, it can also remove all unwanted pop-ups and similar annoyances that seek to ruin your mood.

While Guardio offers free trials with its paid plans, there is also a free tier and it will provide you with suspicious site detection, phishing alerts, personal data leaks history, on-demand scans, and some scope of customer support. On the downside, the plan is limited to one user only and excludes some pretty hefty security features of premium plans.

Also, while Guardio is sure to improve your browsing experience, sometimes it gets overprotective and blocks new yet otherwise innocent sites.

4. FamiSafe

Pretty popular with big families, FamiSafe is a premium parental control app for mobile devices that supports iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Kindle Fire. Depending on the plan, it can safeguard five or up to ten devices and allow parents to supervise their youngsters while protecting their right to privacy.

Some of FamiSafe’s core features include screen time control and tracking app usage, web filter (for Chrome and Safari ), avid app blocker, real-time location monitoring, browser history, and digital activity reports. Plus, FamiSafe’s user interface is incredibly intuitive and you shouldn’t have any problem navigating around it.

However, there are a couple of drawbacks with FamiSafe such as the lack of logging calls and messages. Also, while all plans come with free trials they are terribly short lasting for three days only.

To safeguard you from all sorts of cyber threats and corruptive content across the internet, OpenDNS takes a unique twist – it changes the DNS number in your control panel, and it can be done on the router level or for each individual device.

While this may sound a bit intimidating at first, as soon as you get your hands on OpenDNS’s simple-to-follow how-tos you’ll see it’s as simple as child’s play.

Once DNS is configured, the app will block all sites considered inappropriate due to falling into the categories such as violence, pornography, and anonymous proxy.

OpenDNS currently offers four plans, two of which are completely free: “OpenDNS Family Shield” and “OpenDNS Home” where the only major difference between them is that the first is pre-configured to block all adult content, while the other isn’t.

This means you can’t customize “OpenDNS Family Shield” in any way, which might be its main drawback – well, that and the absence of screen time control and real-time geolocation tracking feature.

With all OpenDNS web filter plans, you’ll get specialized customer support via email.

6. SquidGuard

If your PC runs on Linux or Unix and you don’t mind getting your hands on tech stuff right from the start, SquidGuard might be a good choice for you. First off, you’ll want to install and configure proxy-software Squid since SquidGuard can’t work without it. 

In a nutshell, SquidGuard is a fast and flexible web filter, redirector, and access controller plugin for Squid and it works with Squid versions 2.x and 3.x.

With SquidGuard you’re free to determine multiple access rules with different restrictions for different user groups using the Squid cache. So, in addition to caching content, SquidGuard can filter the web and authenticate users and user groups. This filtering can cover all computers inside an organization, Windows and Macintosh computers alike.  

SquidGuard utilizes Squid’s standard redirector interface and includes features such as configurable logging, a progress bar when compiling blacklists, full self-encrypting drive (SED) compliance for rewrite statements, and blocking of URLs with hostnames. 

The long-awaited version of SquidGuard (1.4) promises new features – in addition to fixing old bugs, that is.

7. Avast Free Antivirus

Avast’s free antivirus is probably what Avast is best known for and it’s available on major platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Also, in addition to free versions for all these platforms, Avast offers paid premium and business-oriented plans – however, they are pretty pricey.

Easy to install and effortless to use, Avast Free Antivirus comes equipped with smart scans for software, an automatic network inspector, proactive protection against ransomware, viruses, and malware, and cloud-based web filtering. There’s also a handy “Do Not Disturb” mode which will disable pop-ups while you’re enjoying watching a movie, listening to music, or playing a video game.    

All in all, Avast Free Antivirus is a solid antivirus combined with a web filter and provides a superb level of security. However, if you wish to enjoy this “cloud-light, award-winning free virus protection” you’ll risk your sensitive browsing data being stolen and sold to other companies.

8. Comodo Dome Shield

Comodo Dome Shield serves as the first line of defense against web-borne threats and blocks access to well-known suspicious sites providing URL filtering, advanced reporting, and analytics. They also offer a whole variety of their services for free, and they have been providing them for years.

Dome Shield’s threat database covers over 100 endpoints for filtering, meaning they don’t settle with DNS layer security for cyber threat intelligence. Plus, an ever-expanding, up-to-date fraud site database is sure to help users avoid fraudulent, malware-laden sites and phishing attacks.

While there's a bit of a learning curve, the intuitive, user-friendly interface and how-to guides make it less significant. What’s more, you’ll get complete control over web access and filtering - which we’re always glad to see. 

9. Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey makes promises to block everything that’s keeping you from being productive and helping you “reclaim your free time”. It’ll deliver on the promise through a free web filtering software for Windows and Mac that works splendidly on all browsers including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

With Cold Turkey, you can create and manage different blocklists (or allowlists) where each blocklist contains a different set of sites. Also, you can add unblocking date and time, which can be particularly useful if the administrator isn’t there to unblock the site for some reason.

The only handicap of Cold Turkey’s free plan is the absence of helpful features like scheduled blocks, application passwords, break timer, as well as life-long updates, and customer support via email - to get these features, you’ll have to go for a paid plan.

10. Kurupira Web Filter

Don’t let the cute yet outrageously outdated official site fool you - Kurupira’s web filter is one of the best web filters for Windows and it can also track user activity and collect all information into comprehensive web usage reports – thereby, it can serve as a web filtering and a parental control app at the same time.

Its advanced web filter can use AI to block unsuitable or suspicious sites, but you can also clock sites manually by adding URLs of unwelcome sites to the blocklist. And if there are sites you never want to see on the blocklist – simply add them to the allowlist and shield them from being blocked in the future.

In addition to this, Kurupira Web Filter can block instant messaging apps (including Skype, Windows Live Messenger, and Google Talk) and social networking platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace included).

We suppose that Kurupira Web Filter’s only downside is the absence of online remote reporting (and perhaps an official site that’s stingy on information), but that’s really needless nitpicking since it’s a free web filter that’s probably going to stay free forever.

Free web filter FAQ

Choose the best free web filter and stay on the safe side of the web.

So, these were our top picks for free web filters for this year – some offer free trials, some give away free tiers, and some will give you a full version of their software for free.  

Whether you wish to make the most of your workday, safeguard your family and yourself from cyber threats, or steer clear from sites you find offensive - one is sure, you should pick out the best free web filter and upgrade your browsing experience right now. 

What is a free web filter?

A web filter is security software that focuses on monitoring and managing the web locations and applications accessed by users, authorizing the administrator to either allow or block certain URLs , DNS’, or content and enforce a specific security policy. 

However, not all web filters are created the same: some solutions are meant for individuals and households, while others are geared towards businesses and institutions.

There are two main approaches to web filtering: blacklisting – which implies that a list of malicious or otherwise undesirable sites is made and access blocked accordingly, and whitelisting - an opposite (and stricter) approach to blacklisting which implies creating a list of permitted sites and blocking everything else.

Also, as the term suggests, a free web filter is one that comes completely free of charge - and usually not for a limited period only. 

How to choose the best free web filter?

So, since most free web filters aren’t worth it, how to choose a worthwhile solution?

First of all, you need to know on which devices (smartphone or desktop) you want to use a web filter, the number of devices you had in mind, as well as operating system (OS) or browser they’re created for – that’s because many of these are actually meant as extensions or add-ons of certain browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera). 

You’ll also want to check whether these web filters grant a good protection level taking into consideration features such as scanning downloaded files for malware, app-blocker, filtering HTTPS/SSL encrypted traffic, protection from malware, phishing, and unwanted software overall, group-based web filtering, tracking a device' location, access to device’s web history, real-time alerts and extensive reports. 

Also, if you’re using a free tier from a company that offers paid plans, check their product range as well the scope of their customer support. 

The best free web filters: How do we test them?

Considering that all web filters we’ve tested so far are either free, provide a free tier, or offer a free trial putting them to the test was way easier than it usually is – and no one risked busting their budget.  

First, we’ll take a look at available plans (if there are more than one), pick a free option, and evaluate how simple it is to set up a web filter and put it to use while paying particular attention to the ease of use, functionality, and performance.  

However, we have to note that a more thorough evaluation of web filtering software would not only require months of testing but also put the reviewer at real risk of identity theft and fraud, which isn’t in line with our security policy.

We've also listed the best business VPN .

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Sead is a seasoned freelance journalist based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He writes about IT (cloud, IoT, 5G, VPN) and cybersecurity (ransomware, data breaches, laws and regulations). In his career, spanning more than a decade, he’s written for numerous media outlets, including Al Jazeera Balkans. He’s also held several modules on content writing for Represent Communications.

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How to block websites on safari without screen time or with it.

Available in macOS and iOS, Apple’s Safari is one of the most popular web browsers, offering a great way for Apple users to browse websites. Websites can be entertaining, or informational, or distracting (when you want to get work done), or harmful (if they deliver inappropriate content). This article will show you how to block websites on Safari easily on desktop and mobile.

Blocking access to certain websites on Safari can help reduce distractions or keep children away from bad content online.

• Part 1: How to block websites on Safari without Screen Time: 4 methods
• Part 2: How to block websites on Safari with Screen Time?

  Cisdem AppCrypt

The best safari website blocker for mac.

• Block websites and pages on Safari and other browsers with password
• Let you block specific sites, categories of sites, and URLs with certain keywords
• Also let you block all websites except a few
• Lock apps with password
• Let you block websites permanently or during certain times
• Easy to use
• Hard to bypass
• Help with productivity by blocking distracting sites
• Help with parental controls by blocking porn and other bad sites
• Compatible with macOS 10.12 or later

How to block websites on Safari with web blocker app

For macos 10.12 or later.

The best way to block access to websites on a Mac is to use Cisdem AppCrypt , the best websites blocker and app locker for macOS. It’s very useful and easy to use. Below are the steps to blocking websites.

1. Download the Safari website blocker app. Install it.

2. When you first open the app, set a password.

3. From the menu bar at the top of your screen, click its icon and choose Open Main Window . Enter the password.

4. In the main window, click Web Block .

5. Enter a website such as youtube.com and click the Add button. Continue adding more unwanted websites to block. Or, you can block websites by category such as Video Sites.

Now the websites are blocked and not available on Safari, Google Chrome and Opera etc. on your Mac. When you try to open a blocked website, it won’t open, and you will see the message shown below.

How to unblock websites on Safari?

Click the padlock icon in the top menu bar. Choose Open Main Window and then enter the password. Under the Web Block tab, select the website(s) that you want to unblock and press the Delete key. Now the websites are unblocked and can be opened by Safari and other browsers.

Or, if you only want to temporarily unblock websites, just choose Disable Web Block and then enter the password. You can enable the blocking at any time.

Tip 1: Block all websites except one on Safari

Sometimes, you may want to block access to all websites except a few. For this purpose, you can turn on the Block all websites option and then add the allowed websites to the Always Allow list in Exceptions. For example, you can allow only child-friendly websites to make Safari child-safe.

Tip 2: Block a website on Safari for a period of time

Sometimes, you may want to block a website on Safari for a period of time to improve your productivity. In this case, this Safari website blocker app also helps. It enables you to block a certain website on Safari and other browsers during certain hours (such as work hours) of every day or of certain days (such as school days) of the week. Click the website from your block list. Click the clock icon that appears. Then set the time you want to block access to this site.

For iOS 10 or later; iPadOS 10 or later

There are also third-party solutions to block websites on Safari on iPhone without Screen Time. Liberate is a Safari website blocker application developed by Jordan Carney. It enables users to block sites in Safari and set an end date. You can’t access the sites during the date and time you set.

1. Download and install this tool from App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Launch it. Edit the blacklist.

3. Click the plus icon on the upper right corner. Add sites to block.

4. Click Start Blocking on the bottom.

5. Set an end date and time for the blocking. Click on Go .

Then the blocking will take effect immediately. You won’t be able to access the sites in Safari until before the date you set. You will be notified when the time is up.

How to block a website on Safari using Terminal

The Terminal app is a terminal emulator coming with macOS. It provides a command line interface to access the operating system. With Terminal, you can edit the hosts file, an operating system file. By editing the hosts file, you can block individual websites on Safari (and other browsers).

This method can be complex. If you are not familiar or confident with the command line, then ignore it.

Note: The blocking can be bypassed by using a VPN.

1. Open Terminal from Launchpad or the Finder.

2. Enter the command “sudo nano /etc/hosts” and then press the Return key.

3. Enter your admin password when you are asked for it. Press the Return key.

4. Use the Down Arrow key to go down to find space for the content you are going to add.

5. To block a specific website such as Twitter, enter “127.0.0.1” and then enter “twitter.com”. On a new line, enter “127.0.0.1” and then “www.twitter.com”. You can continue blocking more.

6. Perform the keyboard shortcut Control-O and then press the Return key, which is to add the changes to the hosts file.

Now the websites should be blocked. Try to open a blocked site on Safari, and you will see the “Safari Can’t Open the Page” message.

How to unblock websites?

If you block specific websites on Safari by editing the hosts file, you can unblock them by editing the file again. You can remove the lines that you add to the file. Or, you can type the number sign # in front of each line.

How to block websites on Safari via router

If your main area of work or study is your home, and your devices are always connected to Wi-Fi, you can block websites on Safari through your router. This method also helps parents filter inappropriate websites on the Internet for kids. (Just make sure your child can only use Wi-Fi and not a data connection.)

1. Open a web browser. Enter your router’s IP address.

On Mac computer, you can find your router’s IP address through: System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi. Click the Wi-Fi you are connected to. Click TCP/IP. Then you can see your router’s IP address.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Click on the Wi-Fi you are connected to. Then you’ll find your router’s IP address.

2. Sign in with the username and password.

3. Most routers have a web filtering function. Look for the section like “web filter”, “site blocker”, or “parental controls”, etc.

4. Add the URLs that you want to block on Safari to the block list.

5. Save your settings.

How to block access to websites on Safari via web blocker extension

A browser extension is a small tool that can be added to a web browser. There are a variety of extensions. Some of them can help users block sites. Most browsers support extensions. Unlike browsers such as Google, Safari does not have a dedicated extensions store. You need to download Safari extensions from the App Store. There is a well-known website blocking extension available for Safari. It’s called “about:blank”.

Note: As with any browser extension, there is a problem. One can effortlessly bypass the blocking by uninstalling the extension.

1. On your Mac, open Safari.

2. Go to the top menu bar. Choose Safari > Safari Extensions , which will open the App Store app.

3. Sort the listed Safari extensions by Name . Choose the website blocker extension for Safari called about:blank . Install it.

5. To block a website on Safari, open the website, click the extension icon and then click the plus icon (+) in the window that pops up.

Now the website is blocked. If you reload it, you will receive the “The URL was blocked by a content blocker” message. The blocking applies to both Safari’s normal and private browsing modes.

For iOS 15 or later, iPadOS 15 or later

Safari in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 support web extensions. Before blocking websites on Safari on iPhone or iPad using web blocker extensions, you may need to upgrade your device. To add a Safari website blocker extension to iPhone:

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Scroll down to find Safari .

3. Tap on Extensions > More Extensions . Then it will take you to the App Store with all apps that supports Safari extensions.

4. Choose a web blocker extension you want to use. Like one sec-a screen time control extensions that allows you to block websites on Safari. Download it.

5. Then you have to enable the Safari extension. Go back to Settings > Safari > Extensions .

6. Find the website blocker extension you just downloaded. Enable it.

Now you can add sites to block on Safari.

How to block certain websites on Safari with Screen Time

For macos 10.15 catalina or later.

Apple’s Screen Time is a set of tools to help with productivity and parental controls. If your Mac is running macOS Catalina or macOS Big Sur or later, then you can use Screen Time to restrict website access on Safari.

1. In the top left corner of your Mac’s screen, click the Apple icon. Choose System Preferences .

2. Choose Screen Time .

3. In the Screen Time window, click Options in the bottom left corner.

4. Click Turn On to enable Screen Time on your computer.

5. Click Content & Privacy in the sidebar. Click Turn On to turn on the restrictions.

6. Under the Content tab, choose Limit Adult Websites .

7. Click the Customize button that appears.

8. Go to the Restricted section. Click the plus icon (+) and add a specific website that you want to block on Safari for Mac. Add other unwanted websites. Click OK .

9. Click Options . Enable Use Screen Time Passcode . Set a passcode.

Note: This method makes use of the "Limit Adult Websites" tool in Screen Time. In addition to the websites you add, it automatically blocks many adult websites on Safari, which is useful. But sometimes it may go too far and make some normal websites inaccessible, which can cause inconvenience.

Tip 1: Screen Time allows you to block all websites except approved ones. Just choose "Allowed Websites Only" under the Content tab and then add the sites you approve.

Tip 2: If you want to set time limit for certain websites on Safari on Mac, go to the "App Limits" section. Click "Add Limit". Scroll down to the end to find "Websites". Then click the dropdown arrow and enter the URL you want to set time limits on Safari. In the "Time" section, set the amount of time that you allow to spend on the site. Click on "Done".

For iOS 12 or later; iPadOS

Applies to: iOS 12 or later; iPadOS

Screen Time is also available on iPhone and iPad. Therefore, there is a built-in way to restrict websites on the mobile version of Safari.

1. Open Settings. Tap Screen Time .

2. Tap Turn On Screen Time .

3. Tap Use Screen Time Passcode . Set a passcode.

4. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions . Turn it on.

5. Tap Content Restrictions and then tap Web Content .

6. Tap Limit Adult Websites .

7. In the Never Allow section, tap Add Website .

8. Enter the website that you want to restrict in the URL field and tap done .

Comparison of the 5 methods to block websites on Safari

Limiting access to certain websites is a great way to improve productivity, put parental controls, reduce screen time and help keep kids safe online. This article shows you how to block websites on Safari on Mac and iPhone in different ways, with or without Screen Time. I hope it is helpful.

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.

This article was useful, as I wanted to block some websites on Safari that I found distracting or inappropriate. I followed the steps for using Screen Time on my iPhone, and it worked like a charm. I like how I can customize the list of blocked websites and set a passcode. Thank you.

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Thanks for your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great work, have a nice holiday weekend!

Helmut Kunkel

Have been using AppCrypt the past month to block sites and it is extremely easy to use and helpful! Love its simple UI!

Jake Schellenberg

Very helpful! Thank you!

Hot Articles

14 Best Free Ad Blockers for Mac in 2024 [Safari Ad blockers]

This article lists some of the best free ad blockers for Mac to assist you to enjoy uninterrupted internet surfing at all times. 

While you are using any browser and surfing the internet, amongst the most annoying things that you have to face is the repeated appearance of ads. These ads not only interrupt your work but also are a huge mood killer. The tons of ads on websites make it impossible to surf smoothly.

However, this problem can be easily skipped with the help of ad blockers for Mac. Just like their name, these applications allow you to block all the ads that may appear on your Mac and provide an amazing and uninterrupted surfing experience. Using these tools, you can easily override the websites and remove or hide ads from your Mac screen.

What is an Ad Blocker?

Ad-Blocker is an app that will alter or remove ads on the web pages you visit. When you make a click on a site, the web page loads numerous scripts just to display the content. Some of these scripts are associated with adverts on the web page. Ad-blocker apps analyze these loaded scripts, compare them to a list of known advertising scripts, and block the suspicious ads.

How to Choose the best ad blocker for macOS

There’s a variety of Ad-Blockers available, but not all of them are safe to use. So, here are the following attributes that you can consider when choosing the best Ad-Blocker for macOS.

• Browser and platform compatibility.
• Good ad tracking and blocking capabilities.
• Supports Whitelisting.
• Features to protect your online activity as well as your device.

So, let’s proceed to the best ad blocker for Mac tools below.

Top 14 Best Free Ad Blockers for Mac

Now, it’s time to go through the list of the top ad blockers for Mac in 2024. All of these have different features to offer and hence you should go through all the tools before downloading any one or more of these. Use the tool(s) that satisfy your needs at most.

1. Wipr- Adblock Safari Mac

Wipr is the first name on this list of the best ad blockers for Mac. With the help of this tool, you can easily block the ads as well as improve the loading speed of the browser and battery of your Mac. Hence, this tool is at the top of this list. Additionally, the app is an expert in making the browser run faster without reading your personal information.

With the help of this free ad blocker for Mac, you can get rid of ads permanently without having any problems. Additionally, the smart build of this tool allows the tool to get data about ads and block the same in the future as well.

Download Wipr for Mac

Also Read: Best Mac Cleaner Apps

2. Adblock Plus for Safari ABP- Best AdBlock Safari

Second, comes Adblock Plus for Safari ABP is among the top ad blockers for Mac. This is a great tool that provides you to remove all kinds of video and infographic ads with a single click. If you are using the Safari browser to surf the internet, then this tool is the best one for you. This tool is the most downloaded solution and hence can be relied on very easily.

The tool is very safe and keeps your privacy very secure from outsiders. Here is the best part about the tool. When you use Adblock Plus for Safari ABP, you don’t have to worry about excessive battery usage as it uses very low power to work. This tool comes in quite handy when you are playing a game using the best Nintendo DS emulator for Mac .

Download Adblock Plus for Safari ABP for Mac

3. AdLock- Best AdBlock Safari Mac Chrome

If you are a professional or use Mac to surf the internet regularly, then you should try AdLock. This is among the best ad blockers for Mac. With the help of a single click, you can protect your Mac from all kinds of ads. Additionally, the tool also provides other information on your device like traffic.

amongst the best features of the tool is its amazing interface with attractive bits and top-notch display properties. You can get this best free ad blocker for Mac to get data about how many ads have been received and blocked over the period.

Download AdLock for Mac

4. AdBlock- Free Ad Blocker for Mac

If you are looking for amongst the best ad blockers for Mac, especially for Chrome, then you can use AdBlock. Just like the name of the tool, it works quite perfectly to hide and block all the ads from your Chrome browser. The tool will remove the ads while surfing the internet, but that’s not the only thing it does. The tool will also remove all the ads from social media websites like Facebook and streaming platforms like Youtube.

Adblock Mac Chrome is the single most and the greatest solution that provides you to sync settings and account ad preferences online. This way, even if you change the device, you can still get the customized settings at once.

Download AdBlock for Mac Chrome

5. AdBlock One: Tube Ad Blocker- Best AdBlock Safari Mac

The next best ad blocker for Mac is AdBlock One. This is a great solution for all of you who are looking for some efficient ad-blocking features. The tool is very customizable and provides you to modify the interface preferences according to your requirements with ease.

With a single click, you can set up this best ad blocker for Mac on your device. After this faster webpage loading, optimal safety while surfing, etc. are some of the best features that you get with the tool.

Download AdBlock One: Tube Ad Blocker for Mac

Also Read: Best Free Auto Clicker For Mac

6. AdGuard by Adguard Software Limited- Best Ad Blocker for Mac

We are ending this list with AdGuard by Adguard Software Limited. This is one of the most amazing best free ad blockers for Mac. This is a cross-platform tool that allows you to control the ads of different websites and on different browsers.

Using this tool, you can also remove other annoying website components apart from the ads. Apart from browsers, you can also download this tool for operating systems like Windows, macOS, and other devices.

Download AdGuard by Adguard Software Limited for Mac

7. NordVPN CyberSec- Best Adblock Mac Chrome/Safari

If you are willing to pay something to get amazing ad-blocking features, then NordVPN CyberSec is the best alternative for you. The tool is an amazing addition to this list of the top best ad blockers for Mac in 2024. The goodwill Nord along with an easy-to-use interface is what makes this tool so reliable at ad-blocking.

NordVPN CyberSec is not a standalone tool but a part of the NorVPN tool. With the help of this among the best VPN tools , you can also avail the benefits of effective ad-blocking. The tool also jumps off the hackers and meddlers for additional security.

Download NordVPN for Mac

8. Poper Blocker (Chrome)- Adblock Mac Chrome

If you are unsatisfied with the AdBlock tool provided above for Chrome, then you can also consider Poper Blocker (Chrome). This tool is among the best ad blockers for Mac with a simple user interface but great and reliable ad-blocking features.

The app can easily remove pop-ups and overlays of any kind from your Chrome browser with a single activation. However, this best ad blocker for Mac is available for Chrome only, so you may go ahead to get one for other platforms.

Download Poper Blocker for Mac Chrome

9. MacKeeper- Best Ad Blocker for Mac

Just like NordVPN , MacKeeper is not one of the standalone ad blockers for Mac. You can download this uninstaller and performance booster for Mac and avail the benefits of the ad-blocker. Mackeeper is among the most trusted and popular tools that you will find on various Macs.

The tool also provides you to get rid of excessive and unnecessary data from your device and improve its performance. Although MacKeeper can work as a free ad blocker for Mac, you may need to get the paid version for more features.

Download MacKeeper for Mac

10. uBlock Origin- Adblock Mac Chrome

If you want amongst the best ad blockers for Mac Firefox or Chrome, then you can use uBlock Origin. This is an amazing tool that offers some of the most reliable ad-blocking features. The tool is not only free but also available as an open-source tool. This means that you can edit the coding of the app to use it as you may.

You can get the source code of this free ad blocker for Mac from GitHub. The extension also provides information about the performance of the CPU and its memory efficiency.

Download uBlock Origin for Adblock Mac Chrome

11. Ad Block by Magic Lasso- Best Ad Blocker for Mac

Ad Block by Magic Lasso is the next name on this list of the best ad blockers for Mac. A great alternative to blocking ads on Mac, Ad Block provides you to get the smoothest and most interruptions-free experience on your device while surfing. Additionally, you can also steam freely once you get your hands on the tool.

Although this free ad blocker for Mac is last on the list, is not at all the worst of the above products. It’s just that the features offered by Ad Block by Magic Lasso are quite different from that of others.

Download Ad Block by Magic Lasso for Mac

Also Read: Best Startup Manager Apps for Mac

12. Clario – Adblocker Mac

Another best Ad blocker for Mac in 2024 is Clario. It works equally well with both Google Chrome and Safari. The Ad blocker prevents users from ads, phishing attacks, or any fraud links. To maintain privacy it offers VPN and stops malware attack automatically.

Therefore, Clario’s feature is not just restricted to Ad blocking it also offers anonymous browsing. It also offers 24*7 customer support to resolve all your concerns. And all these features do not affect ensure that your browsing experience is improved.

Download Clario for Mac

13. Total AdBlock – Best Adblocker for Mac

Total AdBlock is one of the excellent ad-blocking solutions for Safari on iOS devices. Although this ad-Safari blocker’s extension is unfortunately not currently accessible for Mac devices, it effectively gets rid of all kinds of annoying ads on iPhones and iPads. But don’t worry! If you’re a Mac user, you can still use this ad-blocker with all the other popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera.

Total Adblock also takes proper care of your online privacy by blocking trackers and third-party cookies. So you can surf on Safari (and other browsers) without worrying that some advertisers and third-party companies might snoop on your activities or collect your data. Additionally, thanks to its unique features like YouTube ad-blocker, your entire online experience is improved and becomes faster and much safer.

If you want to enhance your whole browsing experience, then consider relying on the premium version, which lets you block unlimited ads. In addition to this, you will also get anti-virus and anti-malware protection for free, and a complete 30-day money-back guarantee.

Download Total AdBlock for Mac

14. 1Blocker – Amazing AdBlocker for macOS

1Blocker is the next best Free Ad Blockers for Mac that you can consider if you are seeking for one of the finest ad blockers for Mac, particularly for Chrome and Safari. When it comes to providing you with the ability to synchronize your settings and account preferences for advertisements online, 1Blocker Mac Chrome is the single most and the ideal option. In this manner, even if you switch devices, you will still be able to get the previously configured settings all at once.

When it comes to concealing and blocking all advertisements from your Chrome browser, the program performs very well, just as its name suggests. In addition to removing advertisements while you are browsing the internet, the program has a number of other features as well.

Additionally, the technology will eliminate all advertisements from social networking websites such as Facebook and streaming platforms such as YouTube among other websites.

Download 1Blocker for Mac

Top Best Ad Blockers for Mac in 2024: Listed

So, we hope now that you are familiar with the best ad blocker for Mac tools of all time, you can surf the internet without any obstructions. You can download and use any of the tools provided for the best experience. However, if any doubts or questions related to the guide are troubling you, then you can write the same in the comments below. We will help you with every possible solution.

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13 Best Free Website Blocker Apps for Boosting Your Productivity (2023)

How often do you check your email or phone notifications in the midst of doing work? So often it’s embarrassing to count? Yeah, we thought so.

Now, if you’re wondering why you’re struggling to get things done and why you’re not your most efficient self at the office, then it’s very likely the fault is in the little, “innocent interruptions” of checking email or Facebook at work.

We tend to excuse this behaviour, as it’s often only a few 5-10 minutes of “taking a break”, but the true cost of it is quite devastating. Studies show that every time you check your phone, email or social feed and then return to your work, this switching from one task to another causes your focus to drop, a phenomena called “attention residue”, as introduced by Cal Newport in his bestselling book “Deep Work”. In fact, your mind requires about 23 minutes to re-focus and get back to work, fully-focused on the task at hand. That’s a lot of time to lose, and a lot of money.

While there are many roundabout ways to fix the productivity issue, the most immediate solution is simply – stop browsing web. Like for any problem there’s a problem-solving product. So here’s our ultimate list of 13 best website blocker apps that will help you avoid distractions for enhanced office productivity.

Related: 15 Simple And Super Productive Steps How To Master ‘Deep Work’ For Team Leaders And Executives

1. Mindful Browsing

Source: Mindful Browsing

Mindful Browsing is a free Chrome extension that helps you become more productive and selective about the sites you visit. The extension doesn’t actually block you from the websites you list, however, it gives you a gentle nudge to decide whether you really want to visit the page in question. A great bonus is that it lets you create a list of activities you’d rather spend time on, and whenever the need to check Facebook comes back, Mindful Browsing reminds you about your goals and the promises you made yourself. If you do need to visit the site, then in 10 minutes’ time it reminds you should get back to doing something useful. Mindful Browsing is an open source extension and doesn’t track your online activity.

Supported by: Chrome

Pricing: FREE

2. Block Site

Source: Block Site

A favorite of many, Block Site  is a Chrome extension and cross-platform app that helps you blacklist sites that you feel are distracting your productive workflow. The duration of the block depends on you, as you can toggle the app on and off. As long as the extension is active and synced on all the necessary devices, pictures of disappointed pugs and angry grandmas will encourage you to put an end to your ill habits. The Android app runs outside the web browser, meaning that you’ll be able to block URLs in Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other possibly distracting apps on your phone. Block Site also allows you to set timers for your blocks, which can be very useful to keep a specific schedule of work and rest .

Supported by: Chrome/Mozilla/Android

3. StayFocusd

Source: StayFocusd

StayFocusd is a Google Chrome browser extension that may come in handy if you want to be a little more strict to yourself when it comes to procrastination. The best feature of StayFocusd is that you can set the maximum amount of time you allow yourself to spend on specific websites. When your limit is reached, you’re blocked out from the site. The only downside is that it’s limited to Chrome browser, but as long as you’re using Google Chrome, the extension will work on various platforms (Mac, Windows, Linux, etc.).

4. LeechBlock

Source: LeechBlock

If you’re a fan of Mozilla Firefox, then LeechBlock is pretty much the same as StayFocusd, only for Firefox exclusively. LeechBlock is versatile and has extensive customization options. It allows you to create groups of restricted websites and then assign them to six different time blocks. For each time block, you decide which sites to block, when to block them, and how to block them. You can also choose to set up complex passwords that you’d have to type in before visiting distracting websites, which will make the desire to check your news feed a much more complicated process.

Supported by: Mozilla

Source: Freedom

If you find that you’re blocking sites on your desktop, but reaching for your phone, then Freedom is a great multi-platform website and app blocking solution. Freedom runs on on any kind and any number of devices, blocking all kinds of apps and websites, be it on your computer, phone or browser. You can commit to your focus by scheduling your block sessions in advance or by creating recurring sessions to make productivity a habit. Locked mode helps you commit to your block sessions by making it impossible to quit an active block session. There’s also the function of whitelisting certain sites, and it also generates reports to see where you’re spending most of your time online.

Supported by: Mac/Windows/Android/iOS

Pricing: FREE TRIAL, $2.24-$6.99/month

6. Y-Productive

Source: Y-Productive

For more advanced statistics and an all-in-one tool, take a look at Y-Productive which is a fully-featured productivity app that also blocks sites and applications. Focus mode allows to block distracting websites on Safari, Firefox or Chrome, while you can log tasks in your to-do list and track time for them. Using this data, Y-Productive 

tracks the amount of time you spend procrastinating and actually working, compiles your behaviour in beautiful charts and counts the number of your distractions. The app not only helps to steer you away from distracting websites, but also provides a useful insight on what’s keeping you from making progress, so that you can measure to improve.

Supported by: Mac/Windows

Pricing: FREE TRIAL, $6-$7/month

7. WasteNoTime

Source: WasteNoTime

If you’re looking for a simple free extension that blocks sites and shows you useful stats without all the colorful jazz, then WasteNoTime  is a really good tool for that. Available for both Safari and Chrome web browsers, this free extension is designed to block distracting websites and also track your time online so you can manage it more efficiently. The extension shares your settings across multiple browsers and/or computers you use for your convenience. You can also set time ranges to apply to the blocks, dividing your days into working and non-working hours. 

Supported by: Chrome/Safari

Source: Focus

Another productivity solution lies in this neat looking Chrome website blocker – Focus . Focus lets you manage your to-do list and block any distracting sites. The interface is clean and minimal, however, blocking the sites isn’t a straight-forward process, as you have to first list the sites you want to block and then click on “Start working”, which sets off a 25-minute timer blocking the sites for the period. Although its functionality is not that complex like other website blocker apps, it does its job, and the implementation of pomodoro technique is definitely a plus.

9. Cold Turkey

Source: Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey blocks websites, nevertheless if you’re browsing from Windows or Mac OS, Chrome, Mozilla or Safari. It lets you set up all the various filters you want to use to block distracting websites. When a website is blocked, you’ll see a motivational quote to remind you that you should be working. However, the pro version lets you customize the block page however you wish, be it a nice and sweet or a harsh reminder from your past self to stop slacking around. There are also time limits and schedules, and the app also provides you with beautiful charts to see where your time goes.

Supported by: Windows/Mac/Android

Pricing: FREE TRIAL, $22/lifetime

10. Focus Me

Source: Focus Me

FocusMe  is another all-in-one productivity tool that works as a website blocker, time tracker and also includes pomodoro-style timer functionality. FocusMe allows you to set schedules for blocking and other items weeks in advance. One of the best features is that FocusMe is well-equipped for teams and can be installed on multiple computers. Another thing that really comes in handy when trying to assess the productivity of your team is their generated reports, graphs and visual representations of the collected data.

Supported by: Windows/Mac

Pricing: FREE TRIAL, $9/month

11. Site Blocker

Source: Site Blocker

If you value function over form, then you’ll just as much benefit from the sharp and straight to the point extension – Site Blocker . Site Blocker, running on all major browsers, may not have stock photos of sad puppies or state of the art interface, but the lack of it actually makes the extension super light (only 579 KiB compared to the 10.18MiB that makes up Block Site) without losing any of the important functionality. With this free extension you can easily block any site you want, domains or subdomains, and add a password protection, if you like. It also can recognize and block sites by entered keys.

Supported by: Chrome/Mozilla/Safari/Opera

12. Anti-Social

Source: Anti-Social

For data nerds and phone addicts, Anti-Social  is perfect for gathering useful insights and blocking distracting websites and apps in your phone. Anti-Social involves a bit of gamification, as it makes refraining from using apps a fun competition between your friends. It encourages you to be more anti-social, i.e., waste less of your time on games and social media than your peers. Anti-Social counts minutes spent on your favorite apps and how often you unlock your phone, it also gives you a score to assess how addicted you are to your phone. That should serve as a perfect reminder to change your habits.

Supported by: Android

13. FamiSafe

Source: FamiSafe

FamiSafe is a website blocker app suited to block websites for a target device. FamiSafe will be especially fit for parents who want to help their children reduce their phone use (or ground them super effectively), or employers who are left no other choice than to limit their employees usage of social media and similar distractions. The app features website filtering, screen time control, location tracking and even geo-fencing, to effectively monitor the target device.

Supported by: Android/iOS

Pricing: FREE TRIAL, $9.99/month

In conclusion, there are a lot of free and paid tools to choose from for effective website blocking during your office working hours. The paid versions, obviously, feature a more complex functionality ranging from advanced time tracking and stats reports to location tracking. However, we find that most free extensions work just as well in ensuring you don’t visit the distracting websites – given that you don’t “break the rules” and uninstall them.

Anyway – no matter which extensions or website blocking apps you use, you’re already one step further in the journey of maximizing your productivity. We hope this article helps you in figuring out the best app for your needs!

Do you want to build and maintain new habits? Get your free PDF version of the Don't Break The Chain calendar and start today!

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15 Best Website Blockers: Top Picks For Staying Focused & Productive in 2022

Have you ever sat at your desk, ready to conquer the day only to find yourself scrolling through your social media accounts and news sites?

"How did I end up here?" you ask yourself as you click another meme.

It's hard to stay focused on the task. Distractions are everywhere! How are you supposed to get anything done? 

Website blockers may be the solution. With a website blocker, you need not rely on feeble willpower to keep yourself focused. Instead, these tools wall off distraction sources, making it impossible for you to get sidetracked.  

Forced to focus on work, you'll find you finish jobs faster and have more time for the things that matter; you know, like watching cat videos. 

1. Friday Chrome Extension

What if you had a planner/to-do list and a website blocker with the same Chrome extension? That way you could block a distracting website while also checking off your to-do list items.

The Friday Planner and Chrome extension does exactly that.

You can set focus time and also block websites during those focused, deep work sessions.

Add a list of sites that you want to block and set Focus Time in the Friday Chrome extension. It will keep you from distracting websites while also letting your colleagues know you're in deep work via Slack. You'll stop Slack notifications, too!

And what happens if you try to visit one of the sites you've blocked during focus time?

You'll get a friendly reminder like this one...

The Friday website blocker will keep you on task because with every new tab, you can plan your day and stay focused on the work that matters most. Friday users can install a Chrome extension to see their workday, schedule, and to-do list in each new tab.

The nice thing about the Friday Chrome extension is that it connects directly with the Friday planner. Keep track of your meetings, join video meetings directly, keep a running to-do list, and integrate the collaboration tools you use most.

It also lets you set "focus time sessions," during which the app will block access to distracting sites. 

Format: Web-based (Chrome Extension) 

Top Features

• Stop all distractions! Focus Time Sessions block distractions on websites, and sets you to DND on Slack.
• See your to-do list in every tab
• Join meetings on Zoom or Google Meet directly from your browser
• You can customize which sites to block
• Free Forever.  To-Do List + Calendar Sync + Check-ins + Posts + Unlimited Users.
• Individual Pro : $4 per month.  Planner View + Task/Calendar sync + Posts + Goals + Reporting
• Teams :   $6/per person /month.  Planner View + Posts + Task/Calendar sync + Check-Ins + Reporting + Kudos/Icebreakers.
• Company/Enterprise : A modern intranet & business communication tool customized to your business needs

Download the free Friday Chrome Extension .

Freedom blocks distracting websites and apps across all of your devices at once. You can block the entire internet if you want! 

If you decide to block Instagram, for example, Freedom won't solely block the site on your phone. You'll also be unable to view it from your computer and tablet, making for a distraction-free environment. 

Top Features:

• Blocks distracting sites across all your devices at once
• Lock Mode stops you from quitting a block session 
• Block All Mode allows you to block the entire internet
• Free: 7-day trial
• Monthly Plan ($6.99/month): Unlimited access to all tools
• Yearly Plan ($29/year): Unlimited access to all tools 

3. RescueTime

RescueTime wants to improve your time management skills. The app delves into your data, analyzing how much time you spend on various sites. Then it generates reports to help you better manage your time.  

At the end of each day, the app gives you a "Productivity Pulse" score. Shown as a percentage, this score tells you how much time you spent on productive tasks. 

Format: Available in iOS, Mac Desktop, Android, and Web-based formats

• Analyzes and reports on your online activity 
• Productivity Pulse makes managing time game-like
• Lite (free): Basic reporting, weekly goals, 3-month reporting history 
• Premium ($9/month): In-depth reports, weekly goals with goal alerts, unlimited reporting history, website blocking 

4. Cold Turkey Blocker

Cold Turkey is a traditional website blocker. You tell it which sites are sources of distraction for you, and it blocks them accordingly. 

Cold Turkey also puts up a motivational block page. If your fingers find their way to a distracting site, you'll see a motivational quote that essentially says, get back to work!

Format: Mac Desktop

Top Features 

• Unlimited website blocking 
• Motivational block page 
• Block scheduling (with premium version) 
• Free: website blocking, website exceptions, unlimited block duration, motivational block page 
• Premium ($29 life access): all free inclusions plus scheduling blocks, Pomodoro breaks , device lockouts, and custom block page 

5. StayFocusd

If you want some time to browse online but hope to avoid a full-blown internet spiral, StayFocusd might be perfect for you. The app asks you to set a time limit for distracting sites. When you reach the limit, a block goes into place. That means you still get to check your feed now and then, just not for too long or too often. 

Format: Web-based format (Chrome Extension)

• Works on time limits 
• Set limits for unlimited sites

6. SelfControl

With SelfControl, you create a list of blocked sites for a specific period. Alternatively, you can build a list of websites you're allowed to visit for a specific time, effectively blocking the rest of the internet. 

Unlike other apps, there is no way to exit the block with SelfControl. Once you start the timer, you'll be unable to access any blocked site from that device, even if you uninstall the app!

Format: Mac Desktop 

• Create a list of sites to block or a list of sites to allow
• No way to get around the block 

7. FocalFilter

FocalFilter is a straightforward, extra-feature-free website blocker. You pick the websites to block, you set how long to block them for, and that's it. This app won't provide reports or motivational screens; it's basic website blocking. 

Format: Web-based formats

• Unlimited website blocking
• Unlimited time duration for blocks 

FocusMe is more than a website blocker; it's a way to retrain your brain. You set a daily work schedule, and FocusMe ensures you stick to it by blocking distractions. Over time, the app supposedly changes your brain patterns so that you're better at focusing for longer chunks of time. 

Format: Mac or Windows Desktop, Android 

• Blocks websites and pushes you to work on your priorities first
• Keeps you to the schedule you set 
• May change your brain, helping you find flow states faster
• Free Android App
• Desktop Downloads: $6.99/month, $39.99/year, $79.99/three years 

9. Blocksite Chrome Extension

Blocksite is a basic website blocker with a dash of humor. The designers added jokes to mock and entertain should you try to access a blocked site. Otherwise, this works like any other website blocker. Give it a list of sites you know distract, and it will keep you off of them. 

• Straightforward website blocker with scheduling and timer 
• Includes funny images if you attempt to enter a blocked site 

Free: Focus timer, scheduling, password protection

Premium ($9/month): All free features, sync block across devices, custom site redirect, insights

10. Limit Chrome Extension

Limit places a time limit on sites that distract. When you hit your limit for the day, the app will block the site. To get back in, you have to wait until the next day or uninstall the extension entirely. 

• Comes with a list of ten popular, distracting sites built-in
• Configurable time limit up to 500 minutes

11. WasteNoTime

With WasteNoTime, you create a schedule to block sites and distractions. For example, you can set it so that your favorite online poker site is only available Saturdays after 3 pm. 

WasteNoTime includes a TimeTracker which gives insight into where you spend your time online. It also has a LockDown setting which blocks you from accessing the web. 

Format: Chrome Extension

• Set block schedules by day and week
• Time Tracker gives insights on time management
• LockDown feature blocks the entire internet

Forest is an app blocker that keeps you focused by making time management into a game. The app encourages you to keep working by planting virtual trees that grow as long as you stay off your phone or tablet. 

If you try to use your device while the app is running, it will encourage you to wait. If you ignore the warning, the app won't stop you, but it will kill off one of your trees! 

Format: iOS, Android

• Interactive, game-like tool helps change behavior
• Allows you to connect with other users and encourages team productivity 

13. Pause Chrome Extension

Pause breaks the distraction cycle by promoting mindful browsing. The extension comes with a customizable list of distracting websites. If you try to visit one of them, the extension will interrupt by presenting a calming green screen. 

After five seconds, the extension asks if you would like to proceed to the distracting site or temporarily block it. It's incredible how often we ended up blocking the site; mindfulness makes all the difference when you're trying to stay focused online. 

• Customizable, pre-seeded list of distracting sites
• Promotes better browsing habits by forcing you to pause 

14. 1 Focus

This iOS app allows you to create a list of distracting websites and applications. Then, you create a work schedule. During "work," the app will block all your listed distractions. It also has a quick block feature so that you can block sites for one minute, thirty minutes, or an hour whenever you need to. 

Format: iOS

• Blocks based on work schedule 
• Quick Block feature for short-term, one-off blocking 
• Free (with in-app purchases available) 

Serene is an app that includes three different features that will help you keep your focus during your workdays. You can start your day by answering Serene’s prompts where you must prioritize your tasks. You can allow Serene to block distracting websites, apps, and other things that might disturb you by downloading the Chrome extension. Lastly, Serene includes focus enhancers that can help you stay focused for long periods of time.

Format: macOS, Coming soon to Windows

• Website blocker and  desktop app blocker with reminders to stay focused
• Reflect on your productivity by answering Serene’s questions after work
• Set one goal daily
• Special feature that silences notifications, texts, and calls on your phone

How Do I Block Websites on Google Chrome? 

So, how do you go about blocking websites? Installing a website blocker varies depending on your internet browser and device.

Google Chrome is the most popular web browser, so we'll focus on website blockers that are Chrome extensions, though we include other versions as well. 

By choosing one of the tools above, you'll stop distractions in their tracks; you just have to download the right app!

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