vs
ColdTurkey
GentleLimit · A calmer Cold Turkey alternative
GentleLimit vs Cold Turkey Blocker
Cold Turkey is the heavyweight of distraction blocking — it'll stop you cold and keep you stopped, even from yourself. GentleLimit is the opposite philosophy: awareness without enforcement, floating widgets that show how the day's going, and the trust that you can decide.
At a glance
| GentleLimit | Cold Turkey Blocker | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $6.99 one-time, 7-day trial | Free tier + Pro one-time |
| Approach | Awareness via widgets + limits | Hard blocks with high-friction unlock |
| Force-quit apps | Never | Yes — fully blocks while session is active |
| Floating widgets | Yes | No |
| Recovery from urge | Visible signal, choice yours | Locked out by design |
| Distribution | Mac App Store, sandboxed | Direct download |
| Visual style | Calm, glassy | Utilitarian, scheduling-focused |
Where they're similar
Both want you to spend less time in distracting apps
Both apps care about the same outcome — fewer minutes in the apps that pull you away from real work. Both let you pick the apps you want to be careful with.
Where they differ
Wall vs. window
Cold Turkey is a wall. When a session starts, the app is gone — and the unlock friction is intentionally high (typing long passwords, "Frozen Turkey" mode). For people who genuinely need that level of intervention, it works because nothing else has.
GentleLimit is a window. The app stays open. A floating widget tells you how much of your day's limit you've used. The decision to keep going stays with you. For most people most of the time, that level of friction is enough — and it doesn't create the resentment that hard blocks sometimes do.
Pricing model
Cold Turkey has a free tier with paid Pro features (one-time license). GentleLimit is $6.99 once, full app, with a 7-day trial.
Pick the right one
Which should you choose?
Choose Cold Turkey if your problem is severe — addictive patterns that genuinely require an external wall — and you want the most powerful blocker available on Mac.
Choose GentleLimit if you want awareness instead of enforcement, a calmer aesthetic, and a one-time price for a Mac App Store app.
FAQ
Will GentleLimit force-quit my apps?
No. GentleLimit never quits or blocks apps. It surfaces awareness, you decide what to do with it.
Can I lock myself out of apps with GentleLimit?
No. If you need a tool that genuinely prevents access — Cold Turkey or a similar hard blocker is the right fit.
Is GentleLimit enough on its own?
For most people, yes. Awareness is often what was missing. If awareness alone hasn't worked for you, a hard blocker may be a better fit.
One-time price?
Yes — $6.99 on the Mac App Store with a 7-day trial.
If hard blocks make you resent the tool
GentleLimit is the version that trusts you. Awareness, not enforcement — and you keep working without the wall.