TECH SOLUTIONS: SOFTWARE, APPS, & HARDWARE
What they are
Applications and hardware to help with some aspect of the porn-quitting process. Common application features include tools for tracking progress, blocking access to pornographic sites, blocking specific apps on a device, and accessing communities for support. Some software and apps are designed to be used in combination with other methods, such as 12-step groups, online communities, or all-in-one quitting systems. Hardware-based services can filter all adult content entering your home at the level of your wifi router.
Ease of getting started
Varied depending on the application, but generally pretty easy to use. Porn blocking software may require careful attention to setup to be effective at blocking everything you want blocked.
Human contact
None to begin with, but some applications give access to communities, and its often most effective if you team with an accountability partner in setting up and using the application.
Anonymity/confidentiality
You have to download the software/apps from somewhere, so someone theoretically knows you've acquired it. Using software/apps can be done pretty anonymously, though as noted above, it's often most effective to team up with an accountabilty partner.
Cost
Varies depending on what solution you choose. There's everything from free apps to "clean" routers with monthly subscriptions.
Spiritual/religious component
Varied. Software and apps come in many different varieties, some with religious and spiritual components.
Pro tips
For a general overview of the behavioral science behind using apps to moderate your behavior around screens, see this excellent article by a Harvard Business School professor.
Despite the attractiveness of using screens to combat screen use, however, in our experience, filtering software or behavioral apps alone may not be the most effective way to quit porn over the long term. Software and apps are tools to deal with acute problems like your access to porn or your impulse to pick up your phone and use it, but they are not necessarily the most effective means of addressing issues that motivate your desire to look at porn in the first place.
No software or app is perfect, so if you find you are spending a ton of time trying to get around the software and find its weakness, or fiddling with an app to "game" it, that may be a sign you need to explore other options for quitting. In our experience, porn blocking software in particular works best if someone else "holds the keys." Even the most sophisticated blocking software gives users the ability to reset or recover a lost password. Having an accountability partner be the one who controls that function will prevent you from undermining the software.
Also be aware that filtering software has been known to block non-porn sites inadvertently. The technology is constantly improving, but it's still a good idea to find out beforehand whether and how software you're considering will allow you access to the "healthy" websites that you regularly use.
Once you install software, pay attention to how your mind and body react to being cut off from porn. Do you feel driven to find some other way to satisfy a need that porn was filling? This may be something to discuss with a person you trust such as a therapist, faith leader, in an online community, or in a group setting.
In addition to software and apps specifically designed to block pornography, explore whether the operating system you use allows for content filtering. Likewise, your internet accounts on major search sites like Google, Bing, etc. may be customized to prevent searches for pornography. Generally, these features are not as robust as porn blocking software, but they're a (free) place to start. As with the software, in our experience you will have the most success if you set up these features with someone else who controls access to changing the settings later.
With the caveat that we neither endorse nor oppose any religious or spiritual practice, this article from the LDS church provides a helpful explanation of how filtering software works.
This 2019 meta-study from a Germany-based research company compares some of the solutions listed below, and offers insight into the functionality of these solutions.
Despite the attractiveness of using screens to combat screen use, however, in our experience, filtering software or behavioral apps alone may not be the most effective way to quit porn over the long term. Software and apps are tools to deal with acute problems like your access to porn or your impulse to pick up your phone and use it, but they are not necessarily the most effective means of addressing issues that motivate your desire to look at porn in the first place.
No software or app is perfect, so if you find you are spending a ton of time trying to get around the software and find its weakness, or fiddling with an app to "game" it, that may be a sign you need to explore other options for quitting. In our experience, porn blocking software in particular works best if someone else "holds the keys." Even the most sophisticated blocking software gives users the ability to reset or recover a lost password. Having an accountability partner be the one who controls that function will prevent you from undermining the software.
Also be aware that filtering software has been known to block non-porn sites inadvertently. The technology is constantly improving, but it's still a good idea to find out beforehand whether and how software you're considering will allow you access to the "healthy" websites that you regularly use.
Once you install software, pay attention to how your mind and body react to being cut off from porn. Do you feel driven to find some other way to satisfy a need that porn was filling? This may be something to discuss with a person you trust such as a therapist, faith leader, in an online community, or in a group setting.
In addition to software and apps specifically designed to block pornography, explore whether the operating system you use allows for content filtering. Likewise, your internet accounts on major search sites like Google, Bing, etc. may be customized to prevent searches for pornography. Generally, these features are not as robust as porn blocking software, but they're a (free) place to start. As with the software, in our experience you will have the most success if you set up these features with someone else who controls access to changing the settings later.
With the caveat that we neither endorse nor oppose any religious or spiritual practice, this article from the LDS church provides a helpful explanation of how filtering software works.
This 2019 meta-study from a Germany-based research company compares some of the solutions listed below, and offers insight into the functionality of these solutions.
Links
apps.apple.com/us/app/self-censor/id1281434857Software, Apps, and Hardware for Filtering Porn/Holding Users Accountable
Filtering Solutions
Net Nanny - well-established blocking software with multiple features that an be applied across various devices within the home, available for all major platforms for a yearly subscription fee.
NetSanity - subscription-based app for iOS and Android devices that provides a wide array of parental control features, including app blocking, content filtering, and time-of-day and time-out controls.
NetSanityFree - free porn blocking solution for Apple iOS and Samsung devices from the creators of NetSanity.
Canopy - content control and filtering solution compatible with MacOS, iOS, Android, and Windows devices that detects, filters, and removes pornographic content from websites in real-time, among other features. Subscription fee.
Covenant Eyes - filtering software developed with a Christian/Catholic focus and specifically designed around principle of accountability, with helpful features like a "panic button" to cut off internet access when temptation strikes. Available for a monthly fee.
Cisco OpenDNS - free and premium pornography blocking through adjustment of internet router.
Clean Router - physical router - not software - that filters pornography across all of your devices for a monthly subscription.
SafeDNS - router-level internet filtering software to protect any network for affordable annual subscription.
Esafely - free software that integrates with major web browsers to block pornography.
Qustodio - free and premium software that blocks pornography, oriented towards keeping children safe online.
Porn Blocker for iOS - app for iPhone and iPad for blocking pornography on Safari browser.
Self Censor - app that blurs inappropriate images on iOS or Android mobile devices.
Shield - subscription-based app for iPhone for blocking pornography on Safari browser, from developer of Porn Blocker.
SPINSafeBrowser - browser app for iOS and Android devices, to be used in combination with Boomerang parental monitoring app.
Stop-It - browser add-on that filters adult content as well as malware, phishing sites, etc.
Activity/App Blockers
Freedom - a full-spectrum app and website blocker for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. Monthly subscription.
Cold Turkey Blocker - activity and app blocker for MacOS and Windows computers (not devices) that allows users to block access to all or part of the internet and to specific applications. Free and single-payment versions.
Flipd - a self-styled "behavioral change" app for iOS and Android that "nudges" users to stay off screens and on real-life tasks, includes feature to hide/block distracting apps. Free and subscription-based options.
Accountability Solutions
Lion Apps - Lion offers two apps for iOS to combat porn addiction: an accountability web browser that will send list of explicit websites you visit to an accountability partner, and a chat app for connecting with an accountability partner whenever you feel triggered.
Ever Accountable - accountability app for MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows PC, Chrome and Kindle devices that flags, but does not filter, questionable web content, leaving the decision of what is appropriate up to you and your accountability partner(s). Free to download for 14-day trial period, then subscription-based.
Truple - accountability solution and app compatible with Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux, and Kindle Fire that sends random screenshots of your screens to an accountability partner. Monthly fee.
x3Watch - subscription-based accountability software powered by Ever Accountable (see above) available on six major platforms, offered by xxxChurch as a companion to its Christian-focused "Pure" recovery programs (discussed on our All-in-One Systems and Religious Resources pages) and accompanied by video series and reading materials to enhance user experience.
Blue Label Challenge - "Beat porn by challenging a friend to a high stakes wager. The first one to fail pays the price. Winner takes all."
Apps for Helping You Quit Porn
brainbuddy - app for iOS with a variety of tools to track and share progress quitting porn.
r/tribe - app for Android and iOS with variety of tools and features for tracking and sharing progress quitting porn. This app is the core component of the r/tribe porn-quitting community.
themindfulhabit - companion app for The Mindful Habit porn-quitting system, discussed on our All-in-One Systems page, available for iOS and Android.
NF Emergency - app for iOS and Android developed by the NoFap online quitting community, containing content aimed at providing inspiration and encouragement for quitting when you need it most.
My SAA Toolkit - app for iOS and Android to be used as a companion to 12-step recovery program, includes literature from Sex Addicts Anonymous.
Overcome Porn 40 Day Challenge - app from the developers of Covenant Eyes presenting 40 days of educational materials to help you quit porn.
Rewire Companion - app for Android for quitting porn, includes a forum for app users to share their progress.
Guidance on Using Filtering Software
Configuring Apple Products - Part 1 (Part 2, Part 3) - three-part blog series on configuring Apple products to filter porn, including with K9 Web Protection, from Dr. Todd Love, mentioned on our Outpatient Therapy page.
Filtering Solutions
Net Nanny - well-established blocking software with multiple features that an be applied across various devices within the home, available for all major platforms for a yearly subscription fee.
NetSanity - subscription-based app for iOS and Android devices that provides a wide array of parental control features, including app blocking, content filtering, and time-of-day and time-out controls.
NetSanityFree - free porn blocking solution for Apple iOS and Samsung devices from the creators of NetSanity.
Canopy - content control and filtering solution compatible with MacOS, iOS, Android, and Windows devices that detects, filters, and removes pornographic content from websites in real-time, among other features. Subscription fee.
Covenant Eyes - filtering software developed with a Christian/Catholic focus and specifically designed around principle of accountability, with helpful features like a "panic button" to cut off internet access when temptation strikes. Available for a monthly fee.
Cisco OpenDNS - free and premium pornography blocking through adjustment of internet router.
Clean Router - physical router - not software - that filters pornography across all of your devices for a monthly subscription.
SafeDNS - router-level internet filtering software to protect any network for affordable annual subscription.
Esafely - free software that integrates with major web browsers to block pornography.
Qustodio - free and premium software that blocks pornography, oriented towards keeping children safe online.
Porn Blocker for iOS - app for iPhone and iPad for blocking pornography on Safari browser.
Self Censor - app that blurs inappropriate images on iOS or Android mobile devices.
Shield - subscription-based app for iPhone for blocking pornography on Safari browser, from developer of Porn Blocker.
SPINSafeBrowser - browser app for iOS and Android devices, to be used in combination with Boomerang parental monitoring app.
Stop-It - browser add-on that filters adult content as well as malware, phishing sites, etc.
Activity/App Blockers
Freedom - a full-spectrum app and website blocker for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. Monthly subscription.
Cold Turkey Blocker - activity and app blocker for MacOS and Windows computers (not devices) that allows users to block access to all or part of the internet and to specific applications. Free and single-payment versions.
Flipd - a self-styled "behavioral change" app for iOS and Android that "nudges" users to stay off screens and on real-life tasks, includes feature to hide/block distracting apps. Free and subscription-based options.
Accountability Solutions
Lion Apps - Lion offers two apps for iOS to combat porn addiction: an accountability web browser that will send list of explicit websites you visit to an accountability partner, and a chat app for connecting with an accountability partner whenever you feel triggered.
Ever Accountable - accountability app for MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows PC, Chrome and Kindle devices that flags, but does not filter, questionable web content, leaving the decision of what is appropriate up to you and your accountability partner(s). Free to download for 14-day trial period, then subscription-based.
Truple - accountability solution and app compatible with Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux, and Kindle Fire that sends random screenshots of your screens to an accountability partner. Monthly fee.
x3Watch - subscription-based accountability software powered by Ever Accountable (see above) available on six major platforms, offered by xxxChurch as a companion to its Christian-focused "Pure" recovery programs (discussed on our All-in-One Systems and Religious Resources pages) and accompanied by video series and reading materials to enhance user experience.
Blue Label Challenge - "Beat porn by challenging a friend to a high stakes wager. The first one to fail pays the price. Winner takes all."
Apps for Helping You Quit Porn
brainbuddy - app for iOS with a variety of tools to track and share progress quitting porn.
r/tribe - app for Android and iOS with variety of tools and features for tracking and sharing progress quitting porn. This app is the core component of the r/tribe porn-quitting community.
themindfulhabit - companion app for The Mindful Habit porn-quitting system, discussed on our All-in-One Systems page, available for iOS and Android.
NF Emergency - app for iOS and Android developed by the NoFap online quitting community, containing content aimed at providing inspiration and encouragement for quitting when you need it most.
My SAA Toolkit - app for iOS and Android to be used as a companion to 12-step recovery program, includes literature from Sex Addicts Anonymous.
Overcome Porn 40 Day Challenge - app from the developers of Covenant Eyes presenting 40 days of educational materials to help you quit porn.
Rewire Companion - app for Android for quitting porn, includes a forum for app users to share their progress.
Guidance on Using Filtering Software
Configuring Apple Products - Part 1 (Part 2, Part 3) - three-part blog series on configuring Apple products to filter porn, including with K9 Web Protection, from Dr. Todd Love, mentioned on our Outpatient Therapy page.