Review

Cold Turkey Blocker review (2026)

Cold Turkey Blocker is good if you need an unbreakable lock on Windows or macOS — once a block is set, you can't undo it, even by uninstalling. The tradeoff is a dated interface and a learning curve to configure schedules and Frozen Turkey mode. If you want lighter friction instead of a hard lock, look elsewhere.

Disclosure: we make FutureSelf, a Cold Turkey alternative. This review is based on Cold Turkey’s public pricing and feature pages and independent roundups, and the prices were checked in October 2026.

One honest note from actually using it: the interface feels dated, and getting the stricter settings configured (schedules, passwords, Frozen Turkey) isn't intuitive. That friction is probably why some people, us included, uninstall within the first few days, before they've set up the modes that make it worth the price.

Cold Turkey Blocker is built for people who don’t trust themselves around the internet. It blocks websites and apps on Windows and macOS, and once you lock a block it’s very hard to undo.

What it does

The free version blocks websites with timed blocks, website exceptions and basic statistics. Cold Turkey Pro adds application blocking, scheduled blocks, an application password, breaks and allowances, and the locking features. Its signature mode, Frozen Turkey, locks you out of your computer until the timer ends.

Pricing

Pro is a one-time purchase with lifetime updates, and one license covers all the computers you personally use. Current listings put it at about $39, though older sources quote $29 to $35, so check getcoldturkey.com/pricing. The free version includes a 7-day trial of the Pro features, and listings mention a 30-day refund guarantee.

Pros

  • One-time price, no subscription.
  • A real hard lock, which most extensions can’t offer.
  • Blocks apps as well as websites.
  • A usable free tier.

Cons

  • Windows and macOS only, with no mobile app.
  • The strictness that helps some people makes others resent it and uninstall.
  • It’s a desktop program rather than a lightweight extension.
  • It adds no friction at the moment you choose a distraction, because it simply locks the door.

Who should pick it

Choose Cold Turkey if you’re on a computer, you know you will break any soft rule, and you want to be locked out until the timer ends. Choose something else if your problem is a habit loop in Chrome, where a pause matters more than a wall. Compare options in our Cold Turkey alternative page or the full best website blockers for Chrome list.

FAQ

FAQ

Is Cold Turkey free?

There’s a free version that blocks websites with timed blocks. Pro is a one-time purchase.

Does Cold Turkey work on a phone?

No. It runs on Windows and macOS only.

Is Cold Turkey worth it?

If you need a hard lock on a computer, the one-time price is low compared with subscription blockers. If you mostly need a nudge, a lighter tool may fit better.

The tab can wait.
You know it can.

Questions. Facts. Breathwork. The occasional roast. A 10-second pause. Then you decide.

Try FutureSelf Free $19 Lifetime