Should you build your own Freedom?
Cross-device website and app blocking for focused work
The visible distraction blocking loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Freedom earns its keep through polish, OS integration, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.
ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.
Build a deliberately narrow personal substitute for Freedom, not a full clone.
Use exactly this stack: Tauri 2 + React + TypeScript + SQLite.
Primary job: Build a local desktop utility that captures the essential distraction blocking workflow with keyboard-first controls and local storage.
Start from an empty folder and create the complete working project.
Make the default mode single-user and private.
Store user data locally unless the core job requires the declared self-hosted database.
Do not add analytics, telemetry, ads, or third-party accounts.
Put every secret and external credential in .env and provide .env.example.
Use realistic sample data that is clearly labelled and easy to delete.
Implement the smallest polished interface that completes the core loop end to end.
Include clear empty, loading, validation, success, and failure states.
Add import and export so the user is not trapped in the app.
Use accessible keyboard navigation, labels, focus states, and sensible contrast.
Validate untrusted input and never log secrets or private file contents.
Deliberately exclude these paid-product advantages: polished shortcuts and accessibility; vendor-maintained updates; cross-device sync.
Do not fake integrations, network effects, proprietary data, model quality, compliance, or security claims.
Where an external API is optional, keep the app useful without it and explain the degraded mode.
Write focused unit tests for the data model and the most important workflow.
Add one end-to-end smoke test that proves the core loop works.
Create a README with setup, permissions, architecture, data location, backup, and limitations.
Add scripts for install, development, test, build, and a production-style local run.
Run the tests and build before finishing, then fix errors rather than merely describing them.The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running. · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
What would building your own look like?
Build a local desktop utility that captures the essential distraction blocking workflow with keyboard-first controls and local storage.
What you will need
- macOS, Windows, or Linux development machine
- Node.js 22 and Rust toolchain
- Local filesystem access and OS permissions
Freedom: People keep paying because a utility used dozens of times a day must be instant, predictable, and compatible with every OS update.
xpolished shortcuts and accessibility
xvendor-maintained updates
xcross-device sync
xdeep operating-system edge-case coverage
Prefer something ready-made?
License, setup, and limitations for each alternative.
How much does Freedom cost?
- Monthly billing
- $3.33/mo$3.33/mo
- Per year
- $39.96/yr$39.96/yr
- On a Brazilian card, with 3.5% IOF
- R$17.40/moR$209/yr
Saved to My list. You will see a notice on this site when the price changes.
You complete the purchase on Freedom’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0 | $0 | Unlimited devices, cross-device sync, and custom blocklists; the public page does not state a numeric session-count or duration cap. |
| premium | $8.99≈ $8.99 | $3.33≈ $3.33 | Unlimited blocking sessions, including sessions longer than 2 hours, across all supported devices. |
| forever | custom | - | Lifetime Premium access across supported devices. |
Free tierUnlimited devices, cross-device sync, and custom blocklists; numeric session limits are not published.
Billing termsmonthly + annual + lifetime; 7-day Premium trial
Additional costsThe $3.33 figure on file is the annual-billing equivalent, not the month-to-month price of $8.99. The $99.50 lifetime price is a current 50%-off promotion rather than the displayed $199 regular price.
verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗
Is it cheaper to build or buy Freedom?
Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.
Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.
Starting hours estimated from the analysis (multi-day). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).
Can I rebuild Freedom?
Kinda. The core of Freedom is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: polished shortcuts and accessibility, vendor-maintained updates. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does Freedom cost?
Freedom costs about $3.33/mo (Premium, checked 10/20/2026), which is $39.96 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Freedom?
Honestly: polished shortcuts and accessibility; vendor-maintained updates; cross-device sync; deep operating-system edge-case coverage. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Freedom?
Yes: Apple Screen Time (Already installed on Apple devices, syncs limits, and is easier to override than Freedom.) ScreenZen (App and site blocking across phones and desktops, paid for by donations instead of guilt.) The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.