Free internet blockers for Mac, and the toughest one
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You can block websites on a Mac for free with Screen Time or SelfControl, and turn off the internet with the Wi-Fi switch. Free tools either block a list of sites or are easy to undo. If you need your whole Mac offline until a timer ends, Vow does that, with 3 free sessions to try.
The quick answer
The best free options are Screen Time (built in, blocks sites you choose), SelfControl (free app, blocks a list of sites until a timer ends) and simply turning off Wi-Fi. None of them can take your whole Mac offline and keep it off until a timer ends. If you need that, Vow does it, with 3 free sessions to try.
Free ways to block the internet or websites on a Mac
| What it blocks | Timer you can’t cancel? | How easy to undo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn off Wi-Fi | All internet over Wi-Fi | No | One click |
| Screen Time | Websites you list, adult sites (Safari) | No | Easy if you know the passcode |
| SelfControl | Websites on your list | Yes | Hard until the timer ends |
| Cold Turkey (free version) | Websites on your list | Timed blocks; locking needs Pro | Easier without a lock |
| Browser extensions (like LeechBlock NG) | Websites, in that browser only | Sometimes | Open another browser |
| Family-safe DNS | Adult and harmful sites | No | A minute in Settings |
Turn off Wi-Fi
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and switch it off. It’s instant and free, but it’s one click to turn back on, there’s no timer, and an Ethernet cable or iPhone hotspot still gets you online.
Screen Time
Built into every Mac. Block the sites you choose, or turn on Limit Adult Websites.[1] Steps: how to block websites on a Mac.
SelfControl
A free, open-source Mac app. Add websites to a list, set a timer, and those sites stay blocked until it ends, even if you restart. It only blocks the sites on your list. More: Vow vs SelfControl.
Cold Turkey Blocker (free version)
The free version blocks websites on a timer. Blocking apps, schedules and its locking features need the paid Pro version. More: Vow vs Cold Turkey.
Browser extensions
Free extensions like LeechBlock NG block sites inside one browser. They’re easy to get around: open a different browser.
Family-safe DNS
Cloudflare’s free 1.1.1.3 blocks adult and harmful sites in every browser.[2] Steps: how to block adult sites on a Mac.
What free blockers can’t do
Every free option above has the same weak spot: it blocks a list, or it’s easy to undo. Block Instagram, and you open TikTok. Block TikTok, and you open YouTube. Turn off Wi-Fi, and you turn it back on.
The toughest blocker for Mac: the whole internet, off until the timer ends
Vow is a Mac app that turns off your Mac’s whole internet, from 5 minutes to 24 hours. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB adapters and iPhone hotspots all go off. Every browser and app goes quiet. Quitting Vow or restarting your Mac won’t bring it back. To end early, you ask, then wait 15 more minutes.
- Try it free: 3 full sessions, no account, no card.
- Then $9.99 once: no subscription, for up to 2 of your Macs.
- Needs: macOS 26 or later on Apple Silicon.
Vow isn’t the right pick if you want to block only some sites and keep the rest. Then a free blocker above is a better fit.
Questions
What is the best free internet blocker for Mac?
For blocking a few sites, Screen Time (built in) or SelfControl (a free app). For turning off the internet quickly, switch off Wi-Fi. None of them takes the whole Mac offline until a timer ends. Vow does, and you can try 3 sessions free.
Is Vow free?
You can try 3 full sessions free, with no account and no card. After that, Vow is $9.99 once. No subscription.
What is the toughest website blocker for Mac?
SelfControl and Cold Turkey Pro are strict about the sites on their lists. Vow is stricter about the whole internet: every site and app goes offline, quitting or restarting won’t end it, and ending early means a 15-minute wait.
Can I turn off the internet on my Mac for a set time for free?
Not with a timer that holds. You can switch off Wi-Fi, but it’s one click to undo. Vow’s 3 free sessions let you try a timer that holds before you buy.
Try Vow free
Vow is a Mac app that turns off your internet and keeps it off until your timer ends, from 5 minutes to 24 hours. Try 3 full sessions free, then pay $9.99 once. Requires macOS 26 or later on Apple Silicon.
Sources
- Apple. “Change Apps & Websites Restrictions settings in Screen Time on Mac.” Mac User Guide. support.apple.com
- Cloudflare. “Introducing 1.1.1.1 for Families.” Cloudflare blog, April 2020. blog.cloudflare.com