Website & app blocker · Comparison
IdleMac vs Cold Turkey Blocker
Cold Turkey forcibly blocks distracting sites. IdleMac does the opposite — it lets you use anything, but calls you out the moment you stop working.
IdleMac
$9 one-time
IdleMac is for people who don't need hard blocks, but do need a reminder that they've drifted.
Cold Turkey Blocker
Free / $49 Pro one-time
Cold Turkey is for people with zero willpower around social media — it physically prevents access.
Feature comparison
| Feature | IdleMac | Cold Turkey Blocker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9 one-time | Free / $49 Pro |
| Blocks sites | No | Yes, unblockable |
| Blocks apps | No | Yes |
| Idle detection | Yes | No |
| Voice alerts | Yes | No |
| Menu bar only | Yes | No |
| Overhead | Near zero | Moderate |
Where IdleMac wins
- +Doesn't fight you — just nudges
- +Tiny, invisible, no dock icon
- +Complements Cold Turkey well
Where Cold Turkey Blocker wins
- +Hard-blocks sites and apps
- +Scheduled blocks and allowlists
- +Frozen Turkey — locks you out of your whole computer
Which one should you pick?
Pick IdleMac if…
- You don't want to feel caged
- Your problem is zoning out, not Twitter
- You want a tool you barely notice
Pick Cold Turkey Blocker if…
- You compulsively visit the same handful of sites
- You need uncheatable blocks
- You want scheduled focus windows
FAQ
Should I use IdleMac alongside Cold Turkey?
Yes. Cold Turkey handles the hard blocks. IdleMac handles the soft drift — staring into space, chatting with a coworker, picking up your phone.