PulsePomWho made this list: we make PulsePom, and it's on this list. We've tried to be fair: every app here is the best choice for someone, and each entry says what it does well and what to keep in mind.
The short answer
For a blocker where every feature is free with no ads, and that also blocks YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, PulsePom; for completely free, gentle screen-time friction, ScreenZen; for the longest feature list (with ads), Stay Focused; for location and Wi-Fi schedules, AppBlock; for websites in your browser too, BlockSite; and for polished schedules across iPhone, Mac and Android, Opal.
| App | Best for | Price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PulsePom | every blocking feature free, with no ads, made for studying | Free; Premium (monthly, yearly, or Lifetime on Android) adds PulsePom AI and Calendar Pro | Web, Android, Windows; iPhone, iPad and Mac in the browser |
| 2. ScreenZen | completely free screen-time friction | Completely free; donations welcome (its FAQ) | Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows |
| 3. Stay Focused | the longest list of blocking features | Free with in-app purchases ($0.49–$99.99 per item on Google Play) | Android |
| 4. AppBlock | schedules by location and Wi-Fi | Free, with Premium ($0.99–$119.99 per item on Google Play) | Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome and Edge extensions; desktop |
| 5. BlockSite | blocking websites in the browser and on the phone | Free; Premium ($0.49–$199.99 per item on Google Play) | Android, iPhone, iPad; browser extensions; desktop app |
| 6. Opal | polished focus sessions on iPhone, Mac and Android | Free to try; Opal Pro ($2.99–$79.99 per item on Google Play) | iPhone, Mac, Android |
| 7. Forest | gamified blocking that grows a tree | Free; Forest Plus subscription | Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome and Firefox extensions |
How we chose
- What's free, and whether there are ads
- Blocking apps, websites, Shorts and Reels
- Schedules, limits and Strict Mode
- Whether it also helps you study
We compared each app's own Google Play and App Store listings and official website, on the date shown under Sources, and PulsePom from the app itself. We haven't tested every app hands-on for this list: when we call an app the best for something, it's because its own listing describes that most fully among the apps here.
Blocking features side by side
| Feature | PulsePom | ScreenZen | Stay Focused | AppBlock | BlockSite | Opal | Forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App blocking | Android: apps and websites, during focus, on schedules or when a usage limit runs out Free | A pause before opening apps and websites, and scroll interruptions | Apps and websites, schedules and Strict Mode | Apps, websites and social media | Free: up to 5 apps, block lists, schedules and blocking by words | Focus sessions that block apps, and recurring schedules | Deep Focus app blocking; a custom allowlist with Forest Plus |
| Shorts and Reels blocking | Android: YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok and Facebook Reels; YouTube University Free | Not listed | YouTube Shorts, and Reels on Instagram and Facebook | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| More blocking tools | Android: Study Mode, Strict Mode, scroll and app-launch limits, notification blocking, location and Wi-Fi triggers, adult-site blocking Free | Daily usage goals per app, settings by day and time, mindful prompts, website blocking | Location blocking, daily app limits, notification blocking, adult-content and keyword blocking | Schedules by time, location or Wi-Fi; Strict Mode; adult-site blocking | Premium: category blocking (adult, social and more), password protection, redirects and uninstall prevention | Daily app limits, and parental controls | Time Guard schedule blocks: one app or site free, more with Forest Plus |
| Focus timer | Pomodoro timer, and a Normal stopwatch or countdown; every session is saved to a subject | Not listed | Pomodoro study timer with automatic app blocking | Not listed | Focus Mode: a Pomodoro-style timer | Pomodoro timer | Countdown timer and stopwatch that grow a virtual tree |
| Ads | No ads | Not listed | Yes (Google Play label) | No “Contains ads” label on Google Play | Yes (Google Play label) | No “Contains ads” label on Google Play | In the free version (Google Play label); Forest Plus is ad-free |
| Price | Free; Premium (monthly, yearly, or Lifetime on Android) adds PulsePom AI and Calendar Pro | Completely free; donations welcome (its FAQ) | Free with in-app purchases ($0.49–$99.99 per item on Google Play) | Free, with Premium ($0.99–$119.99 per item on Google Play) | Free; Premium ($0.49–$199.99 per item on Google Play) | Free to try; Opal Pro ($2.99–$79.99 per item on Google Play) | Free; Forest Plus subscription |
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1. PulsePom
Best for every blocking feature free, with no ads, made for studying
A free study app that puts a Pomodoro and Normal timer, study groups with chat, a planner, a weekly and monthly habit tracker, stats and leaderboards in one place, with no ads. Its Android app adds a free blocker for apps, websites, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. The Timer, Stats and Planner work without an account and offline.
Good
- Study groups, group chat, challenges and leaderboards, all free
- Every Android blocking feature is free, Shorts and Reels blocking included
- Web, Android and Windows apps with one account, and no sign-up needed to start
Keep in mind
- No App Store app: on iPhone, iPad and Mac it runs in the browser
- Blocking is Android-only
- No focus sounds, video study rooms or smartwatch app
- The AI study coach is part of Premium
Price: Free; Premium (monthly, yearly, or Lifetime on Android) adds PulsePom AI and Calendar Pro · Platforms: Web, Android, Windows; iPhone, iPad and Mac in the browser
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2. ScreenZen
Best for completely free screen-time friction
ScreenZen makes you pause before opening a distracting app or website, interrupts long scrolling, and sets daily goals per app. Its website says it is completely free, with optional donations.
Good
- Completely free, per its FAQ
- Gentle friction that builds intention
- Android, iPhone, Mac and Windows
Keep in mind
- Made for screen time only: no timer, groups or planner in its listing
- Adds friction rather than strict blocking by default
Price: Completely free; donations welcome (its FAQ) · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows
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3. Stay Focused
Best for the longest list of blocking features
Stay Focused is a feature-packed Android blocker: apps and websites, Shorts and Reels, schedules, location blocking, app limits, notification and keyword blocking, Strict Mode and a Pomodoro study timer with focus sounds.
Good
- A very long list of blocking features
- Shorts and Reels blocking
- Pomodoro timer with automatic blocking and focus sounds
Keep in mind
- Shows ads (Google Play label)
- Its listing doesn't say which features are free
- No study groups or planner in its listing
Price: Free with in-app purchases ($0.49–$99.99 per item on Google Play) · Platforms: Android
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4. AppBlock
Best for schedules by location and Wi-Fi
AppBlock blocks apps, websites and social media on schedules set by time, location or Wi-Fi, with a Strict Mode that's hard to undo and adult-site blocking.
Good
- Location and Wi-Fi schedules
- Strict Mode
- Phone, browser and desktop apps
Keep in mind
- Premium is a paid upgrade
- No study timer, groups or planner in its listing
Price: Free, with Premium ($0.99–$119.99 per item on Google Play) · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome and Edge extensions; desktop
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5. BlockSite
Best for blocking websites in the browser and on the phone
BlockSite blocks websites and apps on your phone and in your browser. The free version blocks up to 5 apps, with block lists, schedules, a Pomodoro-style Focus Mode and blocking by words; Premium adds category and adult-site blocking, password protection and uninstall prevention.
Good
- Blocks in the browser and on the phone
- Clear list of free and Premium features
- Block by keyword
Keep in mind
- Free blocks up to 5 apps
- Adult and category blocking need Premium
- Shows ads (Google Play label)
Price: Free; Premium ($0.49–$199.99 per item on Google Play) · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad; browser extensions; desktop app
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6. Opal
Best for polished focus sessions on iPhone, Mac and Android
Opal is a screen-time and focus app: focus sessions block apps, schedules repeat them, app limits cap your daily use, and weekly reports and streaks show progress. Its listing says it works locally on your device.
Good
- Polished focus sessions, schedules and app limits
- Runs on iPhone, Mac and Android
- Its listing says your data stays on your device
Keep in mind
- Opal Pro is a paid subscription
- No study groups or planner in its listing
- Made for screen time, not for studying
Price: Free to try; Opal Pro ($2.99–$79.99 per item on Google Play) · Platforms: iPhone, Mac, Android
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7. Forest
Best for gamified blocking that grows a tree
Forest grows a virtual tree while you stay off your phone, and the tree withers if you leave to scroll. It has a countdown timer and stopwatch, Deep Focus app blocking, Plant Together rooms with friends, a global leaderboard and ambient sounds, and the coins you earn can plant real trees.
Good
- A simple, motivating idea that works
- Plants real trees with Trees for the Future
- Native Android and iPhone apps, plus Chrome and Firefox extensions
Keep in mind
- The free version shows ads (Google Play label)
- The custom allowlist, multi-app Time Guard and Focus Analytics need Forest Plus
- No to-do list or habit tracker in its listing
Price: Free; Forest Plus subscription · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome and Firefox extensions
Questions
Is there a completely free app blocker for Android?
Yes. Every blocking feature in PulsePom's Android app is free with no ads, and ScreenZen's website says it is completely free. The other blockers here are free with paid upgrades, and some show ads, according to their Google Play labels.
Which app blocks YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels on Android?
PulsePom blocks YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok and Facebook Reels for free. Stay Focused also lists Shorts and Reels blocking.
Do Android app blockers need the Accessibility permission?
Most do. PulsePom uses Android's Accessibility Service for most blocking and keeps what it sees on your phone. Forest, Opal, ScreenZen and AppBlock also say in their listings that they use it.
Sources and disclaimer
PulsePom's column comes from the app itself. The other apps' details come from their own store listings and websites, checked on 9 November 2026. "Not listed" means we didn't find the feature in those sources, not that the app lacks it. Apps change often, so check each app for its latest features and prices.
- ScreenZen (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, screenzen.co (FAQ: completely free), App Store listing
- Stay Focused (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing
- AppBlock (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, appblock.app, App Store listing
- BlockSite (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing (free and Premium features), blocksite.co, App Store listing
- Opal (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, opalapp.com, App Store listing
- Forest (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, forestapp.cc (Free vs Plus plans), App Store listing
ScreenZen, Stay Focused, AppBlock, BlockSite, Opal, Forest are trademarks of their owners. PulsePom isn't affiliated with them.
Ready to focus together?
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