Focuh vs Cold Turkey: 2026 Comparison
An honest comparison of Focuh and Cold Turkey Blocker. Both block distracting websites, but they take very different approaches — Cold Turkey focuses purely on blocking, while Focuh combines blocking with task management and focus timers.
What is Cold Turkey Blocker?
Cold Turkey is a dedicated website and application blocker for Windows and macOS. It's known for its strict blocking modes that are nearly impossible to bypass once activated. The app lets you create blocklists of websites and desktop apps, then schedule blocking sessions that lock you out until the timer expires.
Cold Turkey has been around since 2013 and has built a reputation as one of the most uncompromising blockers available.
What is Focuh?
Focuh is a free macOS app that combines website blocking with a focus timer, kanban-style task management, and Google Calendar sync. It uses Tauri and macOS Accessibility APIs to block websites and apps at the system level during focus sessions.
Rather than just blocking distractions, Focuh gives you a complete focus workflow — plan tasks, start a timer, block distractions, and track your progress.
How does website blocking compare between Focuh and Cold Turkey?
Both apps block websites effectively, but the mechanisms differ. Cold Turkey modifies system files and uses kernel-level techniques to enforce blocks. Its "Frozen Turkey" mode can lock your entire computer except for allowed apps. Once a Cold Turkey block starts, you cannot disable it — even uninstalling the app won't help.
Focuh blocks websites and apps through macOS Accessibility permissions. Blocking activates when you start a focus session and ends when the session completes. You can technically disable blocking by revoking Accessibility permissions in System Settings, but this requires deliberate effort.
| Feature | Focuh | Cold Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Website blocking | Yes (macOS) | Yes (Windows + macOS) |
| App blocking | Yes (macOS) | Yes (Windows + macOS) |
| Unbreakable blocking mode | No | Yes (Frozen Turkey) |
| Schedule-based blocking | Via focus timer | Yes, with recurring schedules |
| Focus timer | Yes, built-in | No |
| Task management | Yes, kanban board | No |
| Google Calendar sync | Yes | No |
| Platforms | macOS | Windows, macOS |
| Price | Free | Free (limited) / $39 Pro |
Which has better scheduling features?
Cold Turkey offers more flexible scheduling. You can set recurring daily or weekly block schedules (e.g., block social media every weekday 9am-5pm). Schedules run automatically without you needing to start them each time.
Focuh ties blocking to focus sessions. You start a focus session, set a duration, and blocking activates for that session. There's no recurring schedule — you decide when to focus in the moment. This works well if your schedule varies day to day, but less well if you want always-on blocking during work hours.
Does Cold Turkey have task management or a focus timer?
No. Cold Turkey is purely a blocker. It doesn't include a timer, task manager, or any productivity features beyond blocking. You'd need separate apps for those — like Todoist for tasks and a Pomodoro app for timers.
Focuh bundles all three: task management (drag-and-drop kanban board), focus timer (with session tracking), and website/app blocking. If you want an all-in-one focus tool, Focuh saves you from juggling multiple apps.
How does pricing compare between Focuh and Cold Turkey?
Focuh is completely free with no premium tier or subscription.
Cold Turkey has a free version that includes basic website blocking. The Pro version costs $39 as a one-time purchase and adds app blocking, the Frozen Turkey mode, and other advanced features. There's no subscription — you pay once and own it.
For a pure blocker, Cold Turkey Pro at $39 is reasonable. But if you also need task management and a focus timer, Focuh gives you more functionality at no cost.
When should you choose Cold Turkey over Focuh?
Choose Cold Turkey if:
- You need cross-platform support (Windows + macOS)
- You want unbreakable blocking that you literally cannot disable
- You prefer scheduled, always-on blocking rather than session-based
- You already have a task manager and timer you're happy with
Choose Focuh if:
- You're on macOS and want blocking + task management + timer in one app
- You prefer session-based blocking tied to focused work periods
- You want Google Calendar integration
- You want a free solution
- You have ADHD and benefit from visual timers and structured task planning
The bottom line
Cold Turkey is the stronger pure blocker — it's cross-platform, nearly impossible to bypass, and supports recurring schedules. If all you need is ironclad website blocking, Cold Turkey Pro is worth the $39.
Focuh takes a different approach by combining blocking with focus sessions and task management. If you're on macOS and want a single app for your entire focus workflow, Focuh is free and covers more ground. You trade some blocking strictness for a more complete productivity system.
Many users actually use both — Cold Turkey for always-on background blocking of the worst distractions, and Focuh for structured focus sessions with task tracking.