Buyer's guide

Choosing a focus app for Mac

"Focus app" covers everything from a bare pomodoro timer to a full distraction blocker. If your problem is drifting off rather than losing track of time, these are the six things that actually matter.

It blocks apps, not just websites

Most distraction on a Mac isn't in a browser tab. Slack, Messages, Mail and native clients pull just as hard. A focus app that only handles URLs leaves the biggest doors open.

It covers every browser you use

Browser extensions block one browser. If you have Safari, Chrome and Arc installed, a single-browser block is a five-second workaround away from useless.

It runs on a timer, not a toggle

A permanent block list invites negotiation. A timed session removes the decision entirely: you set the intention up front, and the block lasts as long as the work does.

It has presets for different kinds of work

Writing, deep work and admin need different block lists. Saving them as presets means starting the right session is one click, not a five-minute setup.

It shows your focused time adding up

A pomodoro timer counts down. A focus app should also count up — session history and streaks are what make showing up daily feel worth it.

It keeps your data on your Mac

What you block and when you work is sensitive. Prefer apps that keep focus settings and history local, with integrations strictly opt-in.

How Intentional handles it

Intentional is a native macOS app that blocks distracting apps and websites for the length of a timed focus session. It works across Safari, Chrome, Arc, Brave and Edge, closes blocked desktop apps automatically, saves presets, and keeps a running history of your focused hours — all from the menu bar.

Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel. Free to download. Compare it with the built-in ways to block websites on a Mac.