should you use LeechBlock NG or dimmer?

LeechBlock NG is a free, configurable site blocker. dimmer covers some of the same ground, distracting sites in the browser, with a different idea about what to do with them.

what LeechBlock NG is

according to its own site, LeechBlock NG is a browser extension for blocking time-wasting sites. you can set up to 30 sets of sites, each with its own schedule, time limits, and wildcards or exceptions. it works in Firefox, Chrome, Edge and other Chromium-based browsers such as Brave, Opera and Vivaldi, and it’s free.

its site also notes a detail worth knowing: it prevents you from browsing blocked sites, but the browser may still briefly connect to them.

how dimmer is different

dimmer doesn’t block. on the sites you choose in Chrome, it puts a short pause before the page appears, which grows each time you continue the same day, turns the site gray from the first frame and hides its recommendation feeds. with pro, it slows videos, makes scrolling take more effort and adds a short check-in every few minutes. you can also add an accountability partner who gets an email if you break the promise you set.

it’s less configurable than LeechBlock NG on purpose. there are three strengths rather than detailed schedules, and turning things down always waits 24 hours.

	LeechBlock NG	dimmer
approach	blocks sites on schedules and limits	pauses and dulls sites, never blocks
browsers	Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi	Chrome
configuration	up to 30 sets with detailed rules	three strengths, per-site scope
accountability partner	not mentioned on its site	yes
pricing	free	free plan, optional pro subscription

when LeechBlock NG is the better choice

• you want a hard block on a precise schedule, and you like setting the rules yourself.
• you use Firefox, or several browsers.
• you want everything free, with no paid tier at all.

when dimmer is the better choice

• you keep turning blocks off because you need the site for something legitimate.
• what pulls you in is the feed, the color and the autoplay, and you want those turned down rather than the whole site gone.
• you want someone else in the loop.

if what you want is Instagram off your laptop but on your phone, our guide on blocking Instagram on desktop only covers both LeechBlock-style blocking and gentler options. for the bigger picture, see the three kinds of browser tools.

what we say about LeechBlock NG comes from its own site, checked in october 2026.LeechBlock NG is a trademark of its owner; dimmer isn’t affiliated with it. if something here is out of date, tell us and we’ll fix it.