Reading online, you’ll see stories of novelists disabling the Internet entirely on their computers. Unfortunately, not everyone can do this. If you need to access the Internet for your work, your only option is to selectively block distractions. That’s easier said than done, but Freedom is an app meant to do just that.
What Does Freedom Do?
Like most apps meant to block distractions, one of the main features of Freedom is blocking websites. If you want, you can use the app to block the entire Internet for a period of time, but for most people that’s overkill. Freedom can also help you out by blocking you from running certain apps. If you keep compulsively checking social media on your work computer, this can be a major timesaver.
Supported Devices
There is a Freedom desktop app available for both macOS and Windows devices. You’ll also find a browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Mobile devices are a major source of distraction, so Freedom is available for these as well. You’ll find the Freedom app in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Pricing
When you first see Freedom, whether on the App Store or on its website, you may be under the impression that it’s free. This isn’t the case. The free download is really just a free trial. After seven trial sessions, you’ll need to pay to continue using the app. You can pay a few different ways, but it’s all the same service. You can pay a monthly fee of $6.99 per month, or you can save a fair amount of money by paying $29 per year. Finally, you can pay for a lifetime license, which usually costs $129 but will occasionally pop up on sale.
Features
Choosing certain websites and apps to block may work for some people, but others may require more extreme measures. In this case, you can choose to block everything by whitelisting sites and apps. This means you can allow access to certain apps you need for work but nothing else. Depending on the type of person you are, you may be tempted to simply turn Freedom off. In this case, you can enable Locked Mode, which keeps you from disabling restrictions for the period of time you’ve chosen. You can add sites to a blacklist, but you can’t remove any.
Limitations
Freedom shares a major pitfall with other distraction-blocking apps: it’s too easy to turn off. This isn’t really a downside, but it’s worth keeping in mind. You can enable Locked Mode all you want, but you can also restart your device or just enable the app. You can’t rely on the app all the time. If you had the willpower to install it, you have the willpower to keep it installed. You just need to make sure to stick with it when times get tough.
Is the Freedom App Right for You?
Not everyone is going to need an app to block distractions. Before you start asking whether this app is for you, you need to ask yourself whether you need this type of app at all. If you never find yourself distracted, you probably don’t need to spend a monthly fee to keep distractions at bay. Freedom isn’t the only app of its type. There are other options like OFFTIME and Self Control, but neither of these is as full-featured. On the other hand, they’re considerably cheaper. Distraction blockers aren’t the only way to enhance your focus, either. Everything from listening to the right type of music to working at certain times of the day can help you focus on getting serious work done. If you’re looking for some more tools, take a look at our list of the best mobile apps to help you focus.
