---
title: "torwache vs Cold Turkey Blocker"
canonical_url: https://torwache.com/compare/cold-turkey/
md_url: https://torwache.com/compare/cold-turkey/index.md
---
[Guides & comparisons](https://torwache.com/guides/)

Website blocker comparisonFact-checked August 25, 2026

# 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.

On this page

[The short answer](https://torwache.com/compare/cold-turkey/#short-answer)[Feature comparison](https://torwache.com/compare/cold-turkey/#features)[Choose Cold Turkey Blocker if](https://torwache.com/compare/cold-turkey/#choose-competitor)[Choose torwache if](https://torwache.com/compare/cold-turkey/#choose-torwache)[Sources](https://torwache.com/compare/cold-turkey/#sources)

## 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.

Different jobs

This is not a winner-takes-all ranking. It compares the products as currently documented and highlights which kind of user each design serves.

## 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, host permissions, remote assets, or background 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; strict TypeScript is compiled by WXT into an inspectable browser-native package.

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 separately installed desktop application or 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 25, 2026. Verify anything purchase-critical on the vendor’s current site.

-   [Cold Turkey feature overview](https://getcoldturkey.com/features/)
-   [Cold Turkey pricing](https://getcoldturkey.com/pricing/)

## Block the site. Keep everything else.

torwache is free and open source, keeps its blocklist local, and has no account, ads, timers, streaks, or analytics inside the extension.

[Add to Chrome](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ibffnlnhgaoppogfnaejknianccnknlj)

[Read the source](https://github.com/alexgutjahr/torwache)