BlockSite alternatives: when Focus Mode fits, and when it doesn't

Choose BlockSite if you want to block websites and apps on your phone as well as in Chrome, with one blocklist synced across devices. Choose Focus Mode if the distraction is the browser itself (tabs, address bar) or the feeds on YouTube, X, LinkedIn and Reddit, and you would rather pay once. Focus Mode does not work on phones, and its site blocker is part of Pro ($7.99, one payment).

Facts about BlockSite below come from its store listing, website and privacy policy, read on October 22, 2026.

What each one is built for

BlockSite is a blocker. Its Chrome Web Store listing shows 1,000,000 users and a 4.5 rating from 32.4K ratings (October 2026). It lists a custom blocklist, scheduled blocking, password protection, uninstall prevention, site redirects, daily usage limits, a "Focus Mode" based on the Pomodoro technique, and sync to your phone. Its website adds blocking by category and keyword, and links iOS and Android apps and a desktop app.

Focus Mode is a different tool. The free core is one shortcut (Cmd+Shift+X on Mac, Alt+Shift+X on Windows, Linux and ChromeOS) that turns the current tab into a clean window: tab bar, address bar and bookmarks hidden, no full screen. Press Esc and everything returns. It works on every site and needs no account. Pro is $7.99, paid once, and adds feed controls for YouTube, X, LinkedIn and Reddit, a Pomodoro timer, a site blocker and focus stats.

Side by side

	BlockSite	Focus Mode
Built around	Blocking sites and apps	A clean browser window, plus Pro tools
Runs on	Chrome extension, iOS and Android apps, desktop app	Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Opera
Phone	Yes, with blocklist sync	No
Blocking	Blocklist, schedules, password protection, uninstall prevention, redirects	Site blocker (Pro)
Timer	Pomodoro-based "Focus Mode"	Pomodoro with auto-cycle and a session intention (Pro)
Social feeds	Not mentioned in its listing	Hides feeds on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Reddit (Pro)
Price	Lifetime $39.99 on its Chrome landing page; app subscriptions on the App Store	Free core; Pro $7.99 once
Data	Listing declares "Web history"	No account; no analytics or telemetry in the extension

Pricing: lifetime and subscriptions versus one payment

BlockSite sells both. Its Chrome landing page offers lifetime access for $39.99 ("One payment, zero subscriptions") with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and lists "Every device & browser" next to it. Its iOS app page lists monthly subscriptions from $3.99 to $14.99 and annual ones from $23.99 to $47.90. Both as of October 2026.

Focus Mode Pro is $7.99, one payment, no subscription, bought inside the extension. Do not read $7.99 against $39.99 as like for like. BlockSite's price covers a blocker on several devices. Pro runs in desktop browsers only.

Data

BlockSite's listing declares that it handles "Web history" and says the data is not sold outside approved use cases. Its privacy policy (last modified July 16, 2026) covers its website, apps and extensions. It lists browsing activity among the data collected and says some personal data goes to its affiliates "for market intelligence purposes", with consent where the law requires it. It also points to an opt-out in settings, "Your Privacy Choices". Read it if this matters to you.

Focus Mode's extension has no account and no analytics or telemetry. This website does count visits, as /privacy explains.

Choose BlockSite if

• You want to block on your phone too, with a synced blocklist.
• You need to block apps, not only sites.
• You want schedules, a password or uninstall prevention, so it is hard to cheat.
• You want to block by category or keyword.
• You want to start free: its listing calls the extension a "free site blocker extension".

Choose Focus Mode if

• The distraction is the browser, not one site. The free window hides the tab bar, address bar and bookmarks without going full screen.
• You want feeds hidden instead of sites blocked. With Pro, the X timeline, LinkedIn feed, Reddit's Home, Popular and All feeds (your communities stay) and YouTube's home feed, Shorts and recommendations go.
• You prefer one payment of $7.99 to a subscription.
• You want an extension with no account and no analytics.

What Focus Mode does not do

It does not work on phones, and it has no account to sync a blocklist to. The shortcut does nothing on the New Tab page or on chrome:// pages. Esc ends the focus window in one key press, so it removes clutter but does not stop you from leaving. If you need a lock, BlockSite's password protection and uninstall prevention are built for that.

FAQ

Is BlockSite free?

Its listing calls the Chrome extension a "free site blocker extension". On iOS, the App Store page marks keyword blocking, unlimited category blocking and password protection as Premium (October 2026). Check the plan page for what your platform includes.

Is there a BlockSite alternative with no subscription?

BlockSite itself offers a $39.99 lifetime option on its Chrome landing page (October 2026). Focus Mode Pro is $7.99 once, but it does different jobs: feed controls, a Pomodoro timer and a site blocker, in desktop browsers only.

Does Focus Mode block websites on my phone?

No. Focus Mode does not work on phones. For phone blocking, BlockSite's iOS and Android apps are the option on this page.