Comparison · Desktop app for Windows and Mac

ZenTab vs Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey Blocker is a desktop app for Windows and macOS, known for blocks that are genuinely hard to undo. The free version blocks websites; Pro is a one-time purchase. ZenTab is a Chrome extension that blocks distracting sites, hides endless feeds and turns focus time into a streak, free to start with a $10 one-time Pro.
Prices and features checked on . Sources are listed below.

At a glance

Price
ZenTab: Free; Pro is $10 once, with a 14-day refund
Cold Turkey: Free version; Blocker Pro is a one-time $39 to $45 depending on country, with a 30-day refund
Where it works
ZenTab: Chrome, Edge and Brave on desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS)
Cold Turkey: Windows and macOS, with extensions for each browser
Website blocking
ZenTab: 10 sites free; unlimited, page-level rules and allowlist mode with Pro
Cold Turkey: Yes, with exceptions
Schedules and time limits
ZenTab: Schedules and daily limits with Pro
Cold Turkey: Scheduled blocks with Pro
Hard to undo in a weak moment
ZenTab: Strict Mode; Nuclear mode and commitment locks with Pro
Cold Turkey: Locked blocks by timer, time range, restart or random text; Frozen Turkey locks the computer
Hide feeds, keep the site
ZenTab: YouTube Shorts free; 15 feeds on 9 sites with Pro
Cold Turkey: Not a dedicated feature
Focus timer
ZenTab: Pomodoro presets free; Flowtime and custom timers with Pro
Cold Turkey: Breaks and allowances with Pro
Motivation
ZenTab: GitHub-style focus streak, Earned Time, achievements
Cold Turkey: Usage statistics
Adult content
ZenTab: Adult sites blocked free; urge challenges, SafeSearch and a 30-minute lock with Pro
Cold Turkey: Blocks any site you add; not a dedicated feature
Blocks desktop or phone apps
ZenTab: No: browser only, plus a free DNS guide for phones
Cold Turkey: Yes with Pro, plus whole-device blocks
Account needed
ZenTab: No; optional Google sign-in for sync
Cold Turkey: Not required

Where Cold Turkey is better

  • Blocks desktop apps and every browser on the computer, not just Chrome.
  • Very hard to bypass: locked blocks, random-text unlocks and anti-uninstall protection.
  • One purchase covers all the Windows and Mac computers you personally use.

Where ZenTab is better

  • A browser extension: nothing to install on the system, works on Chromebook and Linux too.
  • Feed Eraser hides feeds instead of blocking whole sites.
  • $10 once versus $39 to $45.
  • A streak graph, ambience, tasks and urge challenges for adult content.

Which should you pick?

Choose Cold Turkey if…

You need to block desktop apps or games, or want the strongest lock available on Windows or Mac.

Choose ZenTab if…

Your distractions are in the browser and you want a lighter tool that also builds a daily habit.

Sources

Checked on from Cold Turkey's own pages. Prices can change and may differ by country or app store. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@zentab.live and we'll fix it.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cold Turkey a one-time purchase?

Yes. When we checked, Cold Turkey Blocker Pro was a one-time purchase of $39 to $45 depending on your country, covering all the computers you personally use, with a 30-day refund.

Can ZenTab block apps like Cold Turkey?

No. ZenTab works inside Chrome. If you need to block desktop apps or games, Cold Turkey is the better tool.

Is ZenTab as hard to bypass?

Less so, because any browser extension can be removed. ZenTab's Strict Mode, Nuclear mode and 30-minute adult-protection lock slow you down in a weak moment, which is often enough.

Try ZenTab free

Block distracting sites, hide endless feeds and grow a focus streak. Free forever, with a 7-day Pro trial and no card. Pro is $10 once, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.