Comparison

Freedom vs
FocusJar

Freedom charges you monthly to block sites. FocusJar is free - and charges you only when you give in to distraction. Pay for accountability, not access.

Download FocusJar Free

The verdict

Freedom is a subscription. FocusJar is a consequence.

Freedom is a popular cross-platform blocker with scheduling and session features. But it runs as a browser extension or VPN, making it easy to bypass. And you pay monthly whether you use it or not. FocusJar blocks at the system level with no workarounds, and you only pay when you break your own commitment. That's accountability, not a subscription.

Feature comparison

Side by side

Feature
FocusJar
Freedom
System-level blocking (all browsers)
Financial accountability / unlock fees
Survives restarts
Bypass-proof (no incognito workarounds)
No account required
Free to use (pay only on unlock)
Session-based blocking
Preset site lists
macOS support
Windows support
iOS / mobile support
Browser extension alternative

Key differences

What sets FocusJar apart

System-level, not browser-level

Freedom primarily works through a browser extension or VPN-based filtering. Switch browsers or disable the extension and you're free. FocusJar blocks at the macOS system level - every browser, every app, no workarounds.

No subscription required

Freedom costs $3.33-$8.99/month. FocusJar is free - you only pay when you unlock early. If you stay focused, you never pay a cent. Your money goes toward accountability, not a recurring fee.

Consequences, not just barriers

Freedom creates a barrier you can work around. FocusJar creates a consequence you have to pay through. There's a reason financial commitments work better than locks - your brain takes money seriously.

Ready?

Ready to try real
accountability?

FocusJar is free during beta. The only thing you pay for is giving up.

Download for macOS

Free during beta · macOS 13+ · No account required

FAQ

Common questions

No migration needed. Download FocusJar, select your sites, and start a session. You can cancel your Freedom subscription whenever you're ready.
Freedom blocks sites through browser extensions and VPN filtering, requiring a monthly subscription. FocusJar blocks at the macOS system level (no browser tricks work) and is free to use - you only pay if you choose to unlock early. It's a fundamentally different accountability model.
Currently FocusJar is macOS-only, while Freedom supports Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Chrome. If you need cross-platform blocking, Freedom covers more devices. But on Mac, FocusJar provides stronger, bypass-proof blocking with financial accountability.

Stop negotiating
with yourself.

Every minute you spend deciding whether to check Twitter is a minute lost. Let FocusJar make the decision for you - or make you pay for it.

Download for macOS

Free during beta · macOS 13+ · No account required to start