Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Distraction Blocking Software

Cold Turkey Blocker vs ScreenZen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Cold Turkey Blocker #5 in Distraction Blocking Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Cold Turkey
ScreenZen #6 in Distraction Blocking Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit ScreenZen

Cold Turkey Blocker leads on 0 checks, ScreenZen on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCold Turkey Blocker · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Cold Turkey Blocker
  • Most featuresCold Turkey Blocker · 4 of 4

Cold Turkey Blocker scores higher on our rubric for distraction blocking software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

On mobile apps, ScreenZen gives you Ios and android where Cold Turkey Blocker offers None.

Cold Turkey Blocker is the better fit for desktop users needing hard-to-bypass blocks. ScreenZen is the better fit for users wanting a capable free blocker.

  • Cold Turkey Blocker fits best

    Desktop users needing hard-to-bypass blocks

  • ScreenZen fits best

    Users wanting a capable free blocker

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cold Turkey Blocker 9.0/10 Visit ↗ ScreenZen 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #5 in Distraction Blocking Software #6 in Distraction Blocking Software
Best for Desktop users needing hard-to-bypass blocks Users wanting a capable free blocker
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Desktop, Browser extension Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email Email, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Cold Turkey Blocker 4/4 · ScreenZen 3/4
Scheduled blocking ✓ ✓
Recurring schedules ✓ ✓
Locked sessions ✓ ✓
Browser extensions ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Block targets Websites and apps Websites and apps
Mobile apps None Ios and android
Devices included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Blocks websites, applications, games, searches, and computer access
  • Supports recurring schedules, timed blocks, allowances, and exceptions
  • Locked blocks can prevent disabling or uninstalling
  • Free plan covers app and website blocking with no subscription required
  • Combines schedules, daily limits, delays, lock mode, and usage tracking
  • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Cons
  • No mobile apps or Linux support
  • Application blocking and locking features require Blocker Pro
  • Browser extensions are limited to supported browsers
  • Browser-extension coverage is a limitation
  • Optional Halo hardware is separate from the core software
  • No AI features
Our verdict

Cold Turkey Blocker is a Windows and macOS desktop application for restricting distracting websites, applications, games, searches, and computer access. It suits desktop users who want more control than a simple browser blocker,…

Read the review →

ScreenZen is a free digital-wellbeing app for people who want to reduce mindless scrolling, improve focus, or create phone-free periods. It blocks selected apps and websites, supports scheduled blocking periods and daily usage limits, and…

Read the review →
  1. Cold Turkey BlockerDistraction Blocking Software 9.0Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. ScreenZenDistraction Blocking Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cold Turkey Blocker — where it wins

    • Blocks websites, applications, games, searches, and computer access
    • Supports recurring schedules, timed blocks, allowances, and exceptions
    • Locked blocks can prevent disabling or uninstalling

    Where it doesn't

    • No mobile apps or Linux support
    • Application blocking and locking features require Blocker Pro
    • Browser extensions are limited to supported browsers
  • ScreenZen — where it wins

    • Free plan covers app and website blocking with no subscription required
    • Combines schedules, daily limits, delays, lock mode, and usage tracking
    • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Browser-extension coverage is a limitation
    • Optional Halo hardware is separate from the core software
    • No AI features

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update