TOP time and limit tracking apps
Shortly
A combo of timers, trackers and "focus" on the phone/PC turns self-control into a system. Use at least 3 levels: 1) system device restrictions, 2) time tracker with alerts, 3) bank and calendar reminders. Below are the best options for tasks.
1) System tools (built-in, free)
iOS / iPadOS — Screen Time
What he can do: daily limits by application/category, Downtime schedule, exceptions, reports.
How to use: create a category with casino/browsers → limit 60 min/day, "Downtime" 23: 00-08: 00, password code to change.
Pros: deeply embedded, cannot be bypassed without code. Cons: basic reports, few trigger events.
Android — Digital Wellbeing
What it can do: application timers, "Focus mode," "Do not disturb," screen data.
How to use: timer for game/browser applications 30-60 minutes, "Focus mode" on a schedule, gray screen at night.
Pros: free, native. Cons: "soft" behavior is possible on some shells.
Windows/macOS - Focus/Screen Time/Parallels
macOS Screen Time: app limits, schedule.
Windows Focus Sessions: 25-45 min sessions + auto-pauses.
How to use: select "game windows," turn on strict time stops.
2) Time and productivity trackers (detailed analytics)
RescueTime (Win/Mac/Linux/Android)
Strengths: automatic tracking, categories, time goals, alerts "exceeded N minutes," reports by day/week.
Scenario: goal "Gaming sites ≤ 60 min/day," alert at 50/60 min, weekly report on Sunday 20:00.
Toggl Track/Clockify (cross-platform)
Strengths: manual start/stop sessions, tags ("game," "breaks"), graphs.
Scenario: Session 45 min preset, auto pause notification, monthly statistics export.
Forest / Focus To-Do (Pomodoro)
Strengths: pomodoro sessions 25-30 minutes, forced pauses, "game" visualization.
Scenario: 2 × 30-min session + 5-min pause; after 2 cycles - 30-60 min break.
3) Blockers and access limiters (hard "friction")
Freedom (Win/Mac/iOS/Android)
What it can do: planned blocking of sites/applications, "Locked Mode" without instant cancellation.
Scenario: "Game Window" 19: 00-20: 00; outside the window - block. Night silence 23: 00-08: 00.
Cold Turkey (Windows/macOS)
Strengths: "ruthless" blocking for time, schedules, white/black lists.
Scenario: block casinos/forums/streams on weekdays; allow access only on weekends to the time slot.
StayFocusd (Chrome extension )/LeechBlock (Firefox)
Strengths: minutes/day limit on domains, day windows.
Scenario: 60 min/day total per casino domains; after the limit - block until tomorrow.
4) Financial and banking instruments (external "stop")
Bank/wallet with spending limits
What you need: a separate "entertainment card" with a daily ceiling, a ban on credit replenishment, fluff for each operation.
Scenario: daily write-off limit = daily deposit limit; exceeded → auto-fail.
5) Calendar and reminders (rhythm and pauses)
Google Calendar / Apple Calendar
What to do: event "Session 45 min," reminder after 25 min (micropause) and "Hard stop" at the end; separate slot "Recovery 2-4 hours."
Pros: simple discipline, graph visibility. Cons: no blocking - only reminders.
6) Combo presets (substitute your numbers)
A. "Short but frequent"
Digital Wellbeing/Screen Time: 60 min/day on games/sites.
Focus To-Do: 2 × 25 minutes with pauses of 5 minutes, after - a break of 2-3 hours.
Freedom: Night silence 23: 00-08: 00.
Bank: daily write-off ceiling = daily deposit limit.
B. "Rare sessions 1-2 times/week"
Calendar: slots Wed/Sat 7pm-8pm, "stop" at 8pm.
StayFocusd: access to casino domains only in these windows.
RescueTime: alert at 50 min; weekly report.
Bank: fluff per charge + transaction limit/day.
C. "Return after pause/red zone"
Cold Turkey: A block of all play outside the window Fri 7pm-8pm.
Pomodoro: 1 × 25 min, no second session per day.
Bank: Cut the daily limit to a minimum of 8 weeks.
Calendar: automatic event "Estimate of the week" Sun, 20:00 (revision only down).
7) Quick setup checklist (3 minutes)
- Device: Screen Time/Digital Wellbeing - 60 min/day limit, "night silence."
- Tracker: RescueTime/Toggl - target for the "game" category, alerts at 50/60 min.
- Blocker: Freedom/StayFocusd - access only to scheduled windows.
- Calendar: "Session 45 min" + "Hard stop," recovery window 2-4 hours.
- Bank: separate card, fluff for each write-off, daily payment ceiling.
8) Typical mistakes and how to avoid them
"I keep it all in my head." Solution: Automate timers and locks.
"I will remove the limit for one evening." Solution: 24-168 hours change delay.
"Pooches get in the way, shut everything down." Solution: leave only "safe" (limits/stops), promo - in the playoffs.
"Limit is the goal." Limit - ceiling; stopping early is a success.
9) Mini-guide by numbers
Session: 30-60 min; reality-check every 25-30 min.
Day: no more than 1-2 sessions; between them 2-4 hours.
Pre-alerts: 70% and 90% loss limit.
Night silence: 23: 00-08: 00.
Return after minus day: pause 24 hours.
The best tool is the one that is enabled by default and difficult to bypass. Combine system device limits, time tracker, access blocker, bank ceilings and calendar "hard stops." Then control will cease to depend on mood and will remain a matter of technology.