Cold Turkey Alternatives for Blocking Porn (2026)
Cold Turkey is one of the strictest website blockers for Windows and Mac, and a lot of people use it to block porn. It has two gaps for that job: it doesn't run on phones, and it doesn't block porn until you build the list yourself. The best Cold Turkey alternative for blocking porn is QuitPorn, which locks your phone and computer with porn blocked from the start. Below are the five alternatives worth looking at, and who each one suits.
Why People Look for a Cold Turkey Alternative
- No phone app. Cold Turkey runs on Windows and Mac only. There is no Android or iPhone version, so the phone stays open.
- It is a focus tool. It is built to block social media, games and distractions while you work. To block porn, you add the sites or keywords yourself and keep the list up to date.
- Browser extensions. Its blocking in browsers depends on extensions. Some users report extensions being switched off, or blocks arriving late on Mac.
None of this makes Cold Turkey a bad app. It just means that for porn, many people need something that covers more.
The Best Cold Turkey Alternatives at a Glance
| App | Phones | Computers | Blocks porn from the start | Can be ended early |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 QuitPorn | Android, iPhone, iPad | Windows, Mac | Yes | No |
 Freedom | Android, iPhone | Windows, Mac | With its adult list | Not in Locked Mode |
 Covenant Eyes | Android, iPhone | Windows, Mac | Reports to a partner | Yes |
 SelfControl | No | Mac only | No, you build the list | No, until the timer ends |
 LeechBlock NG | No | Browser only | No, you build the list | Depends on your settings |
1. QuitPorn: Best Overall for Blocking Porn
QuitPorn is built for one job: blocking porn on every device you own. You choose a lock from 1 day up to 365 days, and it can't be ended early. Our support team can't end it either.
- Covers your phone and computer. Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows and Mac, up to 5 devices on one account.
- Porn is blocked from the start. There is no list to build. You can add your own triggers on top, such as Instagram or Reddit.
- Every browser is covered. A new browser or incognito doesn't get around it. On Android, a VPN doesn't either.
- It ends on the date you chose, by itself.
Plans are $15 a month, $78 for six months, or $120 a year. If you haven't started a lock yet, you can get a refund within 7 days.
Best for: anyone quitting porn, especially if the phone is where it happens.
2. Freedom: Best for Focus Across Devices
Freedom blocks websites and apps on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone, and syncs your block lists between them. It has ready-made lists, including one for adult sites, and a Locked Mode that stops you ending a session early. It is a subscription, at about $40 a year.
Like Cold Turkey, it is a focus tool first. Blocks run as sessions you schedule, so outside a session, nothing is blocked.
Best for: people who mainly want to block distractions on every device.
3. Covenant Eyes: Best for Accountability
Covenant Eyes takes a different approach. It watches screen activity and sends reports to a partner you choose, so someone else sees what you looked at. It runs on phones and computers, and costs about $18 a month.
It doesn't stop you seeing porn. It relies on you knowing someone will be told. That works for some people, and it depends on having a partner who reads the reports.
Best for: people who want a friend, spouse or mentor involved. Our QuitPorn vs Covenant Eyes comparison goes deeper.
4. SelfControl: Best Free Option for Mac
SelfControl is a free, open source app for Mac. You add sites to a list, set a timer and press start. Until the timer ends, the sites stay blocked, even if you restart the Mac or delete the app.
It has no phone version and no ready-made porn list, so you build and update the list yourself. It is also Mac only.
Best for: Mac users who want a strict free blocker for set periods.
5. LeechBlock NG: Best Free Browser Extension
LeechBlock NG is a free extension for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. You choose sites to block and when, and you can add a lockdown so blocks can't be changed for a while.
It only works inside the browser it is installed in. Another browser, or an app, isn't covered. Our guide to blocking porn in Chrome explains why browser-only blocks are easy to get around.
Best for: a free first step on a computer.
What to Look for in a Cold Turkey Alternative
For blocking porn, ask these questions about any app:
- Does it run on your phone as well as your computer?
- Does it block porn from the start, or do you build the list?
- Can you end the block early?
- Does a VPN or a new browser get around it?
- Does it cover every browser and app, or one browser?
Cold Turkey answers most of these well on a computer. The phone is where it has nothing to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cold Turkey block porn?
Only the sites and keywords you add. Cold Turkey has no built-in porn filter, and it only runs on Windows and Mac.
Is there a Cold Turkey app for Android or iPhone?
No. Cold Turkey is desktop only. QuitPorn and Freedom both have phone apps.
What is the best free alternative to Cold Turkey?
SelfControl on Mac, or LeechBlock NG as a browser extension. Both need you to build your own block list. On a phone, Private DNS is a free way to block adult sites. See our Private DNS guide.
Can I use Cold Turkey and QuitPorn together?
Yes. Some people keep Cold Turkey for focus on their computer and use QuitPorn to block porn on every device.
Which Cold Turkey alternative can't be switched off?
QuitPorn. During a lock it can't be switched off, uninstalled or ended early, on your phone or your computer.
For the full comparison, read QuitPorn vs Cold Turkey or the ranking of the best porn blockers.
This is general information, not medical advice. For help with your own situation, talk to a doctor or therapist.
