LeechBlock NG and DeepZone solve the same distraction problem at different layers. LeechBlock is a free extension that applies detailed rules inside each supported browser. DeepZone is a native Mac app that applies website rules across browsers from one profile and can also block Mac apps in Pro.
The practical choice is not “free versus paid.” It is whether your distraction stays inside one supported browser, or moves among Safari, Chromium browsers, and native apps.
Quick verdict: Choose LeechBlock NG for granular, free browser rules in Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi. Choose DeepZone when one Mac-level profile should cover every browser—including Safari—or when Slack, Messages, games, and other native apps also need to disappear.
Verified September 1, 2026: LeechBlock’s official site says Safari is not supported and no Safari version is planned. Its documentation supports up to 30 block sets, recurring time periods, usage allowances, Lockdown, passwords or access codes, exceptions, and keyword rules. DeepZone’s official pages describe cross-browser local website blocking plus Pro app blocking and lock controls.
DeepZone vs LeechBlock at a Glance
| Decision factor | DeepZone | LeechBlock NG |
|---|---|---|
| Blocking layer | Mac system and network settings | Browser extension |
| Browser coverage | One profile across installed browsers | Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Chromium-based browsers; not Safari |
| Native Mac apps | Available in Pro | Not its purpose |
| Rule structure | Named profiles, categories, exceptions, keywords, schedules | Up to 30 independently configured block sets |
| Commitment tools | Lock Mode and friend-held password workflow in Pro | Lockdown, option restrictions, passwords, and access codes |
| Account and storage | No account for core use; blocking data stays on the Mac | Settings stored locally unless experimental browser sync is enabled |
| Price model | Free tier plus Pro licence | Free extension |
The Core Difference Is the Blocking Layer
LeechBlock NG Browser extension
LeechBlock checks navigation inside the browser where its extension is installed. The official installation page lists Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, while its FAQ also names Chromium-based browsers such as Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi. Safari is excluded. If you regularly change browsers, install and configure the extension in every supported browser you intend to use.
DeepZone Mac system level
DeepZone says website blocking uses local DNS resolution and system network settings rather than a browser extension. The same profile therefore applies across Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, and other installed browsers. Pro can add Mac applications to the same boundary.
This is where a buyer can decide quickly. If the only problem is opening news or social feeds in Firefox, LeechBlock may be enough. If the escape route is Safari, another browser, Discord, Slack, Steam, or a game executable, extension-only coverage leaves the larger workflow untouched.
Which Tool Has Better Rules and Schedules?
LeechBlock is unusually granular for a free extension. Each block set can use scheduled time periods or usage limits, select days, define exceptions, match keywords, use regular expressions, and choose what the blocking page does. Its documentation also describes delaying pages, temporary overrides, and controls for private or inactive tabs.
DeepZone organizes rules around named modes such as Writing, Study, or Morning. Each profile can hold its own sites, categories, exceptions, and recurring hours. Keyword blocking and whitelist mode are available in Pro. The difference is conceptual: LeechBlock exposes a rule engine per browser; DeepZone exposes a reusable work mode for the Mac.
Choose by maintenance cost: LeechBlock rewards people who enjoy detailed browser rules. DeepZone suits people who want to maintain one profile and have it follow them when they switch browsers or open a native app.
Lock Controls Are Different—Test Both
LeechBlock can run a Lockdown and can restrict access to block-set options or all options during chosen periods. It supports predefined passwords, random access codes, and a separate override password. Firefox-specific settings can also prevent access to extension-management and troubleshooting pages while a set is blocked.
DeepZone Pro offers Lock Mode with a password and timer. FocusMate Lock lets another person set a password through a link so the user does not know it. These controls act on the broader DeepZone profile rather than on one browser’s extension settings.
| Test | LeechBlock NG | DeepZone |
|---|---|---|
| Open another browser | Confirm the extension is installed and active there | Confirm the site remains blocked without an extension |
| Use a private window | Confirm permissions and the block-set private-tab option | Confirm the system-level rule still applies |
| Change settings | Try the selected access-control restrictions | Try profile edits during the chosen lock |
| Open a native app | Outside LeechBlock’s scope | Test the selected Pro app rule |
No absolute claim: extension permissions, browser policies, macOS permissions, administrator access, and product versions can change behavior. Start with a five-minute reversible session and test the exact browsers, private windows, apps, quit paths, and settings controls that matter on your Mac.
Privacy, Permissions, and Setup
LeechBlock needs broad browser permissions so it can inspect navigation and apply rules. Its official permissions FAQ says it accesses browser tabs, navigation activity, and data for all websites; keyword blocking can require page-content access. The same FAQ says information is not sent to external sites and settings remain local unless the user enables experimental sync storage.
DeepZone’s privacy policy says profiles, schedules, blocked lists, keywords, exceptions, and focus history remain on the Mac. It says the app does not collect browsing history or record visited or blocked sites, while disclosing anonymous TelemetryDeck product-usage events. Its terms describe website blocking through local DNS resolution and system network settings.
Neither permission model is automatically “more private.” LeechBlock needs browser access because that is where it works; DeepZone needs Mac-level permissions because that is where it works. Review the permission prompt, install only from the official source, and choose the smallest layer that covers your real distraction routes.
Choose LeechBlock NG If...
- Your distraction happens in Firefox, Chrome, Edge, or another supported Chromium browser.
- You want a free tool with detailed schedules, usage limits, exceptions, and up to 30 block sets.
- You are comfortable configuring each browser you use.
- You do not need Safari or native Mac app blocking.
- You prefer browser-level access controls, Lockdown, and override options.
Choose DeepZone If...
- You use Safari or regularly switch among several browsers.
- You want one named profile to cover websites across the Mac.
- Native distractions such as Slack, Messages, Discord, Steam, or games need blocking too.
- You want a recurring work-mode schedule rather than separate extension setups.
- You want an optional timed lock or a password held by another person.
Verdict: LeechBlock wins inside the browser; DeepZone covers the Mac
LeechBlock NG is a strong free choice when the problem is browser-contained and its supported-browser list matches your setup. Its rule depth is real: multiple block sets, time windows, allowances, keyword and exception logic, Lockdown, and option access controls.
DeepZone is the better fit when browser hopping is itself the workaround, Safari matters, or native Mac apps are part of the distraction loop. Its advantage is not having more browser-extension settings; it is moving the boundary to one Mac-level profile.
Install the smallest tool that closes every route you actually use. If one supported browser is the whole problem, start with LeechBlock. If the problem spans the Mac, test one DeepZone profile.
Official Sources and Further Reading
- LeechBlock official documentation
- LeechBlock official installation guide
- LeechBlock browser support FAQ
- LeechBlock permissions and storage FAQ
- LeechBlock NG official Firefox listing
- DeepZone product page and documentation
- DeepZone privacy policy
- DeepZone terms and technical description
- Best Website Blockers for Mac
- Best SelfControl Alternatives for Mac
- How to Block Social Media Across Mac Browsers