A free alternative to AppBlock
AppBlock is the closest thing on this list to what Otto does, and it does more of it. The catch is the free tier: three schedules, a daily usage limit that stops at 30 minutes, and statistics for your top three apps. Otto's free tier is the whole app.
| AppBlock | Otto | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier, then $4.99/mo, $29.99/yr, $89.99 lifetime | Free, all of it |
| Free tier limit | 3 schedules, 30 min daily limit | No limit, there is no paid tier |
| Daily time limit per app | Yes, capped free | Yes |
| Scheduled hard block | Yes | Yes |
| Blocks by location or Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Locked settings | Yes, Strict Mode | Yes, after 10 days |
| Greyscale | No | Yes |
| Desktop and browser | Yes, Mac and extensions | No |
Where AppBlock is the better buy
AppBlock triggers blocks on conditions Otto has no concept of: where you are, which Wi-Fi network you joined, which day it is. Add the Mac app and the browser extensions and it covers a working day properly. If you want blocks that follow you between the office and the couch, this is the one to pay for.
Where Otto is the better fit
If your rules are the same everywhere, you are paying $29.99 a year for conditions you will never set. Otto gives you the daily budget uncapped, the schedule uncapped, and greyscale, which AppBlock does not have at any tier.
Otto is free, on both stores
No paid tier, no trial that expires, no account. There is a tip jar in the settings and that is the whole business model.
