dimmer and the alternatives
most focus tools block. dimmer turns sites down instead. here is how it compares with the tools people weigh it against, including when the other one is the better pick.
| tool | how it works | where it runs | accountability partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| dimmer | pauses and dulls sites, never blocks | Chrome on a computer | yes |
| BlockSite | blocks sites and apps | browsers, iOS, Android, desktop | not mentioned on its site |
| Cold Turkey Blocker | blocks sites and apps | Windows and macOS | not mentioned on its site |
| Freedom | blocks apps and sites in sessions | computers and phones, synced | not mentioned on its site |
| LeechBlock NG | blocks sites on schedules and limits | Firefox, Chrome, Edge and more | not mentioned on its site |
| one sec | a pause before opening | iOS, Android, browsers | not mentioned on its site |
- dimmer vs BlockSitepick BlockSite for blocking across browsers and your phone, and dimmer when you need the sites at times but want them to stop pulling.
- dimmer vs Cold Turkey Blockerchoose Cold Turkey when you need a block you can’t talk your way out of, and dimmer when you need the sites sometimes but want them to stop pulling.
- dimmer vs Freedompick Freedom when you need the same block on every device, and dimmer when your laptop is the problem and you still need the sites now and then.
- dimmer vs LeechBlock NGchoose LeechBlock NG for a free, precise blocker in any of those browsers, and dimmer when blocks keep getting lifted and you want the sites to pull less.
- dimmer vs one secchoose one sec if your phone is the main problem, and dimmer if your laptop is and you want the sites themselves turned down.