Website blocker comparison
torwache vs Cold Turkey Blocker
Cold Turkey is a desktop enforcement tool built to make blocks difficult to escape. torwache is a lightweight Chrome extension built to keep blocking understandable.
Fact-checked August 24, 2026
The short answer
Choose Cold Turkey when you need hard-to-bypass scheduled blocks across websites, applications, or the whole computer. Choose torwache when a simple Chrome blocklist is enough and you do not need desktop-level enforcement.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| What matters | torwache | Cold Turkey Blocker |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Chrome, as a standalone extension. | Windows and macOS desktop software with browser integration. |
| Blocking model | A persistent list of domains. Each entry is either on or off. | Websites, apps, the internet, and device actions with extensive strictness controls. |
| Schedules | None. No sessions, timers, allowances, or recurring schedules. | Recurring schedules, timers, locks, breaks, allowances, and rewards. |
| Account & sync | No account and no cloud sync. | Desktop-focused; settings and statistics are described as locally stored. |
| Insights | None inside the extension. | Local visit statistics with export and deletion controls. |
| Data model | Local extension storage, no content scripts, no host permissions, and no extension network requests. | Settings and statistics are described as local to the computer. |
| Price model | Free. No paid tier or trial. | Free basic blocker; paid Pro is a lifetime purchase. |
| Source code | Open source; the shipped JavaScript can be read directly. | Proprietary. |
Choose Cold Turkey Blocker if…
- Blocking both desktop applications and websites
- Locked schedules that resist uninstalling or changing settings
- Pomodoro breaks, allowances, rewards, and detailed strictness controls
- Windows and macOS users who need system-level enforcement
Choose torwache if…
- You need a small Chrome-only tool
- You want no desktop application or background service
- You prefer a persistent list over schedules and lock mechanisms
- You want the complete source code available to inspect
Sources and update policy
Competitor features and pricing change. This comparison was checked against the following official sources on August 24, 2026. Verify anything purchase-critical on the vendor’s current site.