Work · alternatives · 2026
24 alternatives to ZenBlock - Mindful website blocker
Hey HN, A few months ago I noticed I was spending way too much time on YouTube + Reddit (like 4–5 hours per day). I tried a bunch of blockers, but most of them just hard-block everything… and when I actually need a YT for debugging, I end up disabling the blocker and never turning it back on. So I built ZenBlock to solve my problem: it blocks distracting sites, but when you try to open one, it shows a short breathing exercise, After that you can choose to get temporary access (5–30 min). The goal is to make you aware of distraction. this is more inclined towards Tech-wise: it’s built using…
Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes.
- 1
I wanted to find a way to use Instagram without ending up scrolling for two hours every time I open the app to see a friend's story. Most screen time apps I found focus on blocking the app itself instead of the addictive feed, so I created this app to allow me to keep using the "healthy" and "social" features and block the infinite scrolling (Reels) After implementing the block on Instagram Reels, I got addicted to YouTube Shorts and Reddit feed. So, I extended the app to cover these as well. To avoid replacing the scrolling for regular feeds, I also added a feature that shows a pop-up when…
2025 · scrollguard.app · its alternatives →
- 2
I'm a solo dev. A few years ago, I got addicted to Reddit. Spent months in that loop. Being a programmer, I thought I'd be clever. Redirected Reddit's domain to nowhere in my DNS file. Worked great until I'd just... open the file and undo it 20 minutes later. So I made it irreversible. Locked the DNS file so it can't be edited unless I boot my Mac in safe mode. And if I do that, there's a script that instantly locks it again. Haven't used Reddit since last year. Problem solved, right? Wrong. I just replaced Reddit with Twitch and YouTube. Started keeping streams running in the background…
Nov 2025 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →
- 3
Barrier▲373Stop doomscrolling by blocking your addictive apps!
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
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Nomoresurf▲87Block distracting websites & make it harder to unblock them
2022 · nomoresurf.com · its alternatives →
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LockIn MCP▲116I was tired of how bad distraction blockers are so I built my own. LockIn lets AI assistants (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, etc.) block websites by editing the system hosts file directly via MCP tools (via a secure cloudflare bridge). Why? Because chrome extensions don't work. Blocking it natively makes it unbypassable, and having your agent gatekeep your focus is the ultimate cheat code. Since everyone is using AI agents nowadays, but most people start scrolling or Reddit while waiting for Claude Code to finish, giving them control over your focus solves that. The MCP server exposes four tools:…
Jun 2026 · lockinmcp.com · its alternatives →
- 7
The solution concerns work/life balance. Many procrastinate during working hours, getting distracted by entertainment content and social media, or work on work-related sites during their free time instead of resting. This extension helps control work/life balance by setting time limits for accessing websites. Simply put, it's a Website Blocker with a focus mode and a timer. I use all my products myself, and this one is no exception. The results in numbers: 1. Sleep. I started going to bed 2-3 hours earlier = + 1 hour of sleep on average. 2. Peace of mind. Since I no longer access…
2025 · website-blocker.com · its alternatives →
- 8
Writeaholic▲75Stay focused & write daily. A different kind of site blocker
2021 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →
- 9
Commentblocks▲101Hey HN, I'm a freelance web developer and got tired of the endless email chains during website QA. Clients would send screenshots with red circles, or worse, Word docs with "the button on the page with the thing." I'd spend more time decoding feedback than actually fixing stuff. So I built Commentblocks. You add a script to your staging site, send clients a link, and they click anywhere on the page to leave a comment. That's it. No signup for them, no explaining how to use it. Each comment captures the exact element, viewport size, browser, and URL. Comments show up in a dashboard or can go…
Feb 2026 · commentblocks.com · its alternatives →
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2012 · blockr.me · its alternatives →
- 12
ScreenBreak▲125Hi HN, I built ScreenBreak after realizing that most app blockers failed in practice. “Hard blocks” were too rigid — I either locked myself out entirely or tapped Ignore Limit and kept scrolling. There was no useful middle state. In reality, people still need to open apps like TikTok or Instagram for specific tasks: looking something up, replying to someone, checking updates, etc. The problem isn’t intentional use; it’s the unplanned, unconscious scrolling that follows. I wanted a system that interrupts the impulse without fully preventing access. ScreenBreak uses soft blocking plus…
Dec 2025 · screenbreak.app · its alternatives →
- 13
SiteBlocker▲112Block distractions & stay focused | Chrome/Firefox extension
2025 · blockodile.app · its alternatives →
- 14
I built Focuser because I kept doom-scrolling when I was supposed to work What it does You pick any time-sink site Next visit, Focuser asks, “Do you really need this site?” If you tap Yes, you must 1⃣ Write why you need it 2⃣ Choose exactly how long you need access This 20 second friction is based on Shawn Achor’s habit-formation research Why it’s different Runs 100% client-side—no analytics, no external calls Uses Manifest V3 already (future-proof for June 2025 Chrome deprecation) Works offline Settings live in localStorage Ask Does the 20-second rule feel too long or too short? Any…
2025 · focuser.app · its alternatives →
- 15
Block distractions to eliminate wasteful browsing habits
2017 · selfcontrol.apki.io · its alternatives →
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Add an intelligent timeout to block distracting websites
2025 · accounts.google.com · its alternatives →
- 18
EvoCat▲17I’ve always struggled with mindless scrolling, even when I had important work to do. Timers and app blockers never stuck — they felt boring and were easy to bypass. I built EvoCat as a small side project to solve my own problem. It’s a simple iOS app that blocks distracting apps and websites, but adds a fun layer of gamification: • You earn XP for staying focused • You evolve a digital cat as your self-control grows • Each evolution makes the blocking stronger (harder to quit sessions) It’s still in early beta, but this approach has helped me stay more mindful with my phone use. Would love…
2025 · evocat.app · its alternatives →
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Hey! I always tried to overcome dopamine to improve productivity in my life, but I always failed. That's how I started this page. 1.Block sites that trigger your urges (Pxxx, ex profiles, etc.) 2.A popup interrupts and helps you regain control in seconds! If you're interested, please take a look at!
2025 · crushsuddenurges.vercel.app · its alternatives →
- 21
I wanted to use YouTube ,reddit etc.while using productivity apps but they block entire domains. So I built something that blocks distracting content based on my goals.Feedback would be really appreciated
2025 · dpwrk.app · its alternatives →
- 22
Youtube Shorts are pure evil. It just distract me whenever I open Youtube, I'll always waste my time in it and forget why I opened it. So I made a extension for myself and it works well, Still there is no improvement in my productivity but I'm not distracted. I made it for myself and personally using it, if you like you can use it too. I made it open-source, if you like it give a star -Vick
2025 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →
- 23
I built Recode because I realized I was spending 8-10 hours a day on my phone pretty consistently. I tried other screen time apps but I found them too easy to bypass and end my blocks whenever I wanted to use an app. My solution was to build an app blocker app that makes users have to scan a physical QR/barcode to take a break from their app blocks. This helped me be able to get my screen time down to just a few hours everyday since I didn't want to physically get up and go across the house to get my barcode. Anyways, since it worked for me I felt like sharing it. App store link:…
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 24
Plugp-in that blocks productive websites so you can relax
2022 · productivityblocker.com · its alternatives →
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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →