The fastest way to block distracting websites while you study is to use a free browser extension like StayFocusd, which lets you set time limits or completely block sites on a schedule. But browser extensions are just one option. Depending on how much willpower you trust yourself with, you can also use built-in tools on your Mac or iPhone, install cross-device blocking apps, or set up network-level filtering that covers every device in your home.
Browser Extensions for Quick Blocking
If you primarily study on a laptop or desktop, a browser extension is the simplest starting point. StayFocusd, available for Chrome, lets you block entire sites, specific subdomains, or even individual page elements like YouTube recommended videos, comment sections, and Shorts. You can set daily time allowances for distracting sites, and once your time runs out, the site is blocked for the rest of the day.
Two features make StayFocusd especially useful for studying. The first is the Nuclear Option, which blocks your chosen sites for a set number of hours on the days you pick. Once you activate it, you cannot cancel it, even if you change your mind 10 minutes later. The second is Require Challenge, which forces you to complete a difficult task before you can change any settings. Together, these make it genuinely hard to cheat your way back to social media mid-session.
The main limitation of browser extensions is that they only work in one browser. If you block Instagram in Chrome, nothing stops you from opening Firefox or picking up your phone. For many people, that gap is enough to undermine the whole system.
Cross-Device Blocking With Freedom
Freedom solves the one-browser problem by blocking distractions across all your devices simultaneously. It works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome. Start a blocking session, and the sites on your blocklist are restricted on your laptop, phone, and tablet at the same time. No more blocking Reddit on your computer only to immediately open it on your phone.
You can create multiple blocklists for different situations. One list might block social media and news sites for a two-hour study block, while another blocks everything except research databases for a deep-focus writing session. You can start sessions manually or schedule them in advance so your blocks activate automatically during your regular study hours. A lockdown mode prevents you from editing your blocklists while a session is running.
Freedom costs $3.33 per month when billed annually, $8.99 per month if you pay monthly, or $199 for lifetime access.
Built-In Tools on Mac and iPhone
If you use Apple devices, Screen Time can block specific websites without installing anything. On a Mac, open System Settings, click Screen Time, then click App Limits and turn it on. Click Add Limit, scroll to the Websites category at the bottom, and expand it. Any site you’ve previously visited will appear in the list. For sites that aren’t listed, click the plus icon and type in the URL. Set the daily time limit (even one minute if you want the site essentially blocked), check “Block at end of limit,” and click Done.
The drawback is that Screen Time is easy to override. You can bypass the limit with your device passcode. One workaround: have a friend or family member set a Screen Time passcode that you don’t know. This turns a soft block into a hard one, since you can’t disable it yourself during a weak moment.
On iPhone and iPad, Screen Time works nearly the same way through Settings. You can also use the Downtime feature to block access to all apps and websites except ones you specifically allow, which is useful if you want to lock your phone down entirely during evening study sessions.
Network-Level Blocking With DNS
DNS-based blocking works at the network level, meaning it covers every device connected to your Wi-Fi without installing software on each one. When you type a website address, your device asks a DNS server where to find it. A filtering DNS service like NextDNS can refuse to resolve addresses for sites you’ve blocked, so the page simply never loads.
NextDNS lets you create a custom denylist where you manually block specific domains like twitter.com, tiktok.com, or reddit.com. You can also enable category-based filters to block entire groups of sites at once. Setup takes a few seconds on most platforms since NextDNS is natively supported on all major operating systems.
The advantage of DNS blocking is that it has zero impact on your device’s CPU, memory, or battery life because the filtering happens before the content ever reaches your device. It also works across your entire network, so your phone, tablet, gaming console, and laptop are all covered. The disadvantage is that it’s relatively easy to switch your DNS settings back. For stronger enforcement, combine DNS blocking with a browser extension or app-level blocker.
Gamified Focus Apps
If you respond better to positive incentives than hard blocks, Forest takes a different approach. When you want to study, you plant a virtual tree. The tree grows as long as you stay focused and don’t leave the app. If you pick up your phone and navigate away before your session ends, your tree dies. Over time, successful study sessions build a virtual forest that visually represents your accumulated focus.
Forest adds a real-world incentive too. You earn virtual coins for completed focus sessions, and when you spend those coins on planting real trees, the Forest team donates to tree-planting partners on your behalf. It’s a lighter touch than hard-blocking tools, which makes it a good fit for people who just need a gentle nudge rather than a locked gate.
Choosing the Right Approach
The best blocking method depends on how easily you get distracted and how creative you are at finding workarounds. A browser extension works if your main temptation is a few websites on your laptop and you won’t bother switching browsers. A cross-device tool like Freedom is better if you find yourself reaching for your phone the moment your laptop is locked down. DNS filtering makes sense if you want whole-home coverage without managing multiple apps.
Layering methods is often the most effective strategy. Use Screen Time to restrict your phone, a browser extension on your laptop, and DNS filtering on your home network. The more friction between you and a distraction, the more likely you are to just keep studying.