A minimalist macOS app that helps you stay on task by reducing distractions without adding pressure or complexity.
Have you ever found yourself unable to concentrate on the one thing you are supposed to be focusing on? There are so many digital distractions out there that having a handy little utility to help tune out the noise can be essential especially when you work from home. Even though some people might say that it just takes discipline when it comes to blocking out distractions, I think it’s smart to use tools like Focus Firewall when you need to center in on your work.
About Focus Firewall
Focus Firewall is a distraction-blocking app for macOS designed to help professionals stay focused, build healthier browsing habits, and reclaim time lost to social media and recommendation algorithms. Built with simplicity and effectiveness in mind, it offers a lightweight, native experience with minimal configuration. Whether you’re a developer, designer, student, or writer, the utility runs quietly in the background to support deep work without rigid rules or interruptions.
Focus Firewall was created by an independent developer and the design draws heavily from the philosophy of Sindre Sorhus’s menubar utilities. The goal of the app’s design was to create a tool that does one thing, but does it exceptionally well. The idea of the app stemmed from turning a personal productivity trick into a public-facing tool.
It’s is built entirely with Swift and SwiftUI, using Xcode to create a 100% native macOS experience. It relies on Apple’s Network Extension API to block content system-wide without needing browser extensions or insecure proxies. This approach is more difficult to implement, but provides safer and more seamless integration with macOS.
Development began in March 2024, and the app has been available for 11 months. It was created to address the growing challenge of staying focused in a digital world dominated by attention-grabbing content. Unlike many focus apps that are overly strict, require constant setup, or gamify the experience, Focus Firewall was designed to be minimal, passive, and forgiving. With built-in blocklists, a smart pause feature, and a strong emphasis on maintaining a native Mac look and feel, it helps users make daily progress without overwhelming them.
Accessibility and usability were key goals during development. The onboarding process is quick, and the interface is designed to feel like a built-in macOS feature. The app avoids complexity by focusing on core functionality: one schedule, one toggle, one pause button.
Down the road, the developer hopes to expand Focus Firewall to iPhone and iPad with the same minimalist philosophy. On macOS, the team is working on custom categories, improved notification behavior, localization, and additional small refinements to enhance the user experience. The utility continues to evolve based on user suggestions. The Mindful Nudge notification feature was refined into a native macOS alert based on user input. Other improvements include hiding unused categories and streamlining the interface. Customers can reach out to the app support via email.
Main Features
System-wide distraction blocking: Blocks 155+ websites and 8 apps across all browsers and macOS apps — no browser extensions required. Built-in blocklists: Preloaded with 7 curated categories (e.g., Social Media, Streaming, Dating) so you can start blocking right away. Simple and minimal interface: Just a blocker switch, a pause button, and a single schedule. Native macOS design: Built with SwiftUI for a polished Apple-like experience, using native fonts, sizing, and components. Passive and forgiving approach: Encourages mindful use by allowing users to pause or turn off the blocker, avoiding overly strict rules. No personal data collection: Works entirely offline, with no login required and no tracking. Optional anonymous analytics only with consent. Lightweight and efficient: Uses less than 80MB of memory and has nearly zero impact on battery life or CPU usage. Mindful Nudge notifications: Occasional native notifications offer encouragement when distractions are blocked. Pause feature: Lets users take intentional breaks without disabling the app entirely. Smart scheduling: One recurring schedule automatically starts and stops the blocker based on your work hours. Reliable network extension: Uses Apple-recommended APIs for secure and stable system-wide blocking. User-driven improvements: Features like native notifications and customizable blocklist categories were added based on user feedback.Pricing and Availability
Focus Firewall has four different options for purchase.
Monthly $1.99 Annual $17.99 Lifetime $24.99 Annual + Family $19.99Privacy Policy
Focus Firewall does not collect personal data, does not require sign-in, and all processing happens offline. Anonymous analytics are opt-in and used solely for improving the product. The app avoids features that would require access to browsing history or other sensitive data. Even the Privacy information listed in the App Store indicates that absolutely no data is collected from the app. The full privacy policy can be found here.
User Experience
I have to admit that when I started using Focus Firewall, I wasn’t sure how much I would use it. I didn’t want yet another utility to toggle on and off, which in itself becomes a distraction. That said, Focus Firewall has fit smoothly into my regular workflow. I have been using it during my day job as well as at night while I write content. I kind of started thinking of it as a gentle hand smack when I go to a page that is not work-focused.
For me, Facebook is a big issue. I often find myself drifted over to the social media platform, scrolling for a few minutes and then trying to get back on track with work. Sometimes it helps with my creative flow because it gets my brain unstuck, but most of the time, it’s just a distraction. With Focus Firewall, I can block sites like that completely, so the temptation doesn’t even come up. I like that I can fine-tune the settings and add exact URLs to target exactly what disrupts my focus.
One of the biggest advantages of the app is its simplicity and minimalism. It sits quietly in the macOS menu bar, always within reach but never intrusive. The controls are straightforward, and if I need to pause or turn it off, it only takes a second. I think it would be even more convenient if there were keyboard shortcuts for toggling Focus Firewall on and off. Then again, it does make me wonder if a shortcut would have the same effect as a ‘pause’ does when it comes to giving people a reason to leave Focus Firewall running.
The app feels like a native app Mac and that makes it even less intrusive in my opinion. Its design is clean and easy to navigate. I think the Settings could be integrated into the main interface to reduce the number of open windows, but that’s a minor suggestion. I also appreciate the dashboard insights that show what has been blocked. Still, I would like the option to dig deeper. For example, if it says 24 minutes of streaming video were blocked, it would be helpful to know which sites or services were involved.
When it comes to actually blocking content, Focus Firewall is very effective. The first time I used it, I just turned it on and tried to go to Facebook out of habit. The site wouldn’t load at all. It gave me an error that looked like a connectivity issue, which made it easier to break the pattern without giving it too much thought.
What stands out most is the app’s thoughtful approach to building better habits. I’ve only been using Focus Firewall for a short time, but it has already become one of my favorite tools. I use social media as part of my work in marketing, but when I’m not actively posting or doing research, I can turn the app on and let those distractions fade away. Since I started using it, I’ve noticed I’m trying to access Facebook less often. Knowing I can’t get to it easily has made it less of an automatic action. That shift in behavior is exactly what Focus Firewall is designed to encourage.
While Focus Firewall is built primarily for work and studying, I also see its potential as a helpful tool for families. Parents could enable it for their children and protect the settings with a lock code. This would help minimize distractions during homework time or create screen-free hours without needing to micromanage each moment.
Even though it only takes a few clicks to disable Focus Firewall, that bit of added effort can be enough to give someone pause. That small moment of friction is part of what makes it so effective. This gentle, realistic mindset is what sets Focus Firewall apart. It’s not about punishing yourself or cutting off access forever. It’s about nudging you toward healthier habits, one step at a time.
Conclusion
Focus Firewall proves that simplicity can be powerful. It doesn’t overwhelm users with complexity or strict enforcement, but instead offers a realistic, thoughtful approach to reducing digital distractions. Even though there is always room for improvement, the app already delivers a strong and intentional experience. It’s one of the few focus apps that respects user autonomy and helps you make small, meaningful changes over time. Whether you’re looking to reclaim time from social media or help a family member stay on track, it’s an excellent addition to any productivity toolkit.
For more information, visit focusfirewall.com
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