7 Time Management Apps & Extensions for Your Web Browsing

Set web browser time limits and minimize distractions with these tools

Time management apps and extensions for web browsers can be helpful if you aren't disciplined enough to resist online distractions. If you want to start being more productive, here are some tools that let you set time limits on web browsers and web apps.

These tools are available for various desktop and mobile web browsers. Check individual product descriptions to make sure they are compatible with your browser and operating system.

01
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RescueTime: Set Time Management Goals

Rescue Time website
What We Like
  • Set and monitor time-management goals.

  • Lite version is free.

What We Don't Like
  • In-depth reporting requires pricey premium version.

  • No iOS version.

RescueTime is an application for desktop and mobile devices that tracks how much time you spend on specific websites and apps. A free membership comes with the option to set goals for how you want to spend your time, as well as weekly and quarterly reports. You can also use RescueTime to get alerts for when you've spent enough time on a certain activity, block specific websites, log achievements throughout your day, and more.

02
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Trackr: Block Distractions on Chrome

A pie chart

Walker and Walker / Getty Images

What We Like
  • Unobtrusive.

  • Won't track activity on pages you're not focused on.

What We Don't Like
  • Lacks customization options.

  • Doesn’t track time spent passively (e.g., watching a movie).

Want to see exactly how much time you're spending on specific websites? Trackr is a simple Google Chrome extension that displays a pie graph to give you a visual idea of how you're spending your time. According to the developer, it only tracks active time on a web page. Therefore, if you leave lots of browser tabs open in the background, it won't detect mouse movement or any other actions on the web page.

03
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StayFocused: Set Time Limits on Websites

Illustration of a business man flying with arrow representing productivity

akindo / Getty Images

What We Like
  • Blocks access to websites according to limits you set.

  • Interspersed with humor.

What We Don't Like
  • Limited options.

  • Ad-supported.

StayFocused is also a Chrome extension that works by limiting your access to time-wasting websites. This particular extension allows you to limit access for a specified amount of time. You also can set a daily maximum time allowed for access, but when that time is up, those websites will be inaccessible for the rest of the day. 

04
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SelfControl: Time Management App for Mac

illustration of hand holding sign with skull and crossbones on it

erhui1979 / Getty Images

What We Like
  • Completely free.

  • Simple and straightforward.

What We Don't Like
  • Restarting your device doesn’t deactivate settings.

  • Doesn’t block subdomains.

SelfControl is a free Mac app that allows users to block pretty much anything they want including websites and mail servers. Be warned, though: Unlike the Chrome extensions mentioned above, which can be bypassed just by deactivating them, SelfControl keeps working even after you restart your Mac. Before you set a time limit to block something, make sure you really don't need it during that period of time. 

05
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Forest: Stay Productive Through Gamification

Illustration of a forest

mashuk / getty Images

What We Like
  • White noise feature.

  • Visual progress display provides motivation.

What We Don't Like
  • No free option.

  • No ability to pause.

Forest is a premium app available for iOS and Android that takes a unique approach to beating smartphone addiction. Whenever you want to focus on your work, you plant a “tree.” As you focus on work, the tree grows; if you leave the app, the tree wilts. There are browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox too, so you can grow your forest while working on the web.

Download For:

06
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Moment: Distraction-Free Mobile Browsing

Moment logo

Moment

What We Like
  • Get insight into what draws your attention most.

  • Attractive interface.

  • Can track time spent browsing on iPhones and Android phones.

What We Don't Like
  • Counts screen time when you’re not interacting with an app.

  • Reminders and notifications may be too intrusive.

If you're an Android or iPhone addict just looking for a simple, free app to help you kick your bad habit of constantly checking your phone, consider Moment. It allows you to see exactly how much time you're spending on your phone, set alerts to remind yourself to get off, and set a daily limit that warns you when you've reached it. You can also track which apps you use most frequently to get an idea of what's most distracting to you.

Download For:

07
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Cold Turkey: Best Premium Time Management App

Illustration of a thanksgiving turkey with leaves falling behind it

id-work / Getty Images

What We Like
  • Highly customizable.

  • Set the timer to end at a specific time (rather than after an interval).

What We Don't Like
  • Advanced features require purchase of the pro version.

  • Unintuitive interface.

Cold Turkey is another all-in-one time management tool built for desktop browsers. With the free version, you get to set a maximum block period, create multiple custom groups for blocklists that cater to specific occasions, and enjoy a convenient work/break timer.

The pro version gives you a lot more including a scheduling tool, the ability to block applications, the option to set up exceptions, and a feature called "frozen turkey" for locking yourself out at specific times of the day.

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