BetBlocker vs NoGambling.app: Free Blocker vs Full Recovery App
TL;DR
BetBlocker is a free UK-charity-run gambling site blocker. If money is tight and you need something blocking betting sites tonight, install BetBlocker — it is free, the mission is honest, and it works. NoGambling.app is a paid iOS recovery stack covering the part BetBlocker does not touch: daily tracking, 5-step panic button, debt and savings dashboard, and an anonymous community. NoGambling.app includes a 3-day free trial (no card required) so you can test the full experience, then lets you pick monthly, yearly, or a one-time lifetime purchase. The two pair naturally: BetBlocker for the wall (free, forever), NoGambling.app for the recovery (paid, with a lifetime option so the app cannot lapse on you).
At a glance
| BetBlocker | NoGambling.app | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Gambling site and app blocker | Integrated recovery stack |
| Pricing model | Free (charity) | 3-day trial + monthly / yearly / lifetime |
| Free trial | Fully free | 3 days (no card) |
| One-time lifetime option | N/A (already free) | Yes |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chrome | iOS only |
| Block list | Smaller than Gamban; dated UX | iOS Screen Time guidance |
| Clean-day tracker | No | Real-time counter |
| Panic button | No | 5-step crisis flow |
| Savings dashboard | No | Yes |
| Debt paydown | No | Snowball method |
| Community | No | Anonymous peer |
| Relapse flow | No | Compassionate 4-step modal |
| Offline-first | Partial | Yes |
| Account required | No | No |
What BetBlocker does really well
BetBlocker is run by a UK-registered charity and it is free. That matters. Most of the people reading a "how to stop gambling" article at 2am do not have $30 to spare for a Gamban subscription — often because gambling already took whatever was spare. BetBlocker lowers the floor: no credit card, no subscription, no decision to delay. Download, install, and the most common gambling sites are blocked on your device.
The mission is explicit and non-commercial. BetBlocker is not trying to upsell you or capture your data. For people who want a simple, charity-backed tool with no strings, BetBlocker is a legitimate and principled choice.
Where BetBlocker shines
- Completely free — no subscription, no trial, no upsell.
- UK-registered charity; clear non-commercial mission.
- Cross-platform: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chrome.
- No account required.
- Accessible to people with literally zero budget.
Where BetBlocker falls short
- Interface and flows show their age.
- Block list is smaller than Gamban's — some offshore sites slip through.
- No tracking, no savings dashboard, no community, no crisis tools.
- Some users report it is easier to bypass than Gamban.
- Once installed, no engagement loop — it is invisible.
What NoGambling.app does differently
NoGambling.app covers the territory BetBlocker intentionally does not: the daily recovery work. BetBlocker is about access control; NoGambling.app is about the arc of recovery — the urge at 11pm, the savings coming back, the relapse that happens despite your best efforts, the peer who knows exactly how it feels. NoGambling.app is a paid app (BetBlocker is free), but it gives you 3 days to test the full experience before you pay — and a one-time lifetime purchase option so you are not locked into a recurring subscription. They are not competing; they are complementary.
Real-time clean counter
A live count of every second you have been gambling-free. Paired with a daily "Just for today" promise. This is the visible evidence BetBlocker cannot give you — the proof that something is working.
5-step panic button
Urge assessment → 4-4-4 breathing → financial reality check → urge-wave education → optional SMS to a trusted contact. BetBlocker cannot help when the urge is already peaking. NoGambling.app is built for that exact moment.
Savings and debt dashboard
Track debts with the snowball method, watch daily savings projections climb, and see net worth move the right direction. The long-term motivator BetBlocker does not provide.
Anonymous community
Moderated, anonymous peer support. Not a blocker feature — because blockers do not do community.
Relapse flow
If you slip, NoGambling.app walks you through a compassionate 4-step modal: log, identify trigger, reset, keep your history. Motivational-interviewing aligned. BetBlocker has nothing comparable.
Pricing
BetBlocker: Free. Registered UK charity. No paywall, no upsell.
NoGambling.app: Paid app with a 3-day free trial (no card required to start). After the trial, pick a monthly subscription, a yearly subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. The lifetime option is unusual in this category — it means you pay once and own access forever, so the app cannot lapse because a card expired. Current prices are on the App Store listing.
Platforms
BetBlocker: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chrome extension.
NoGambling.app: iOS only. If your gambling is desktop-based, stack BetBlocker on your laptop with NoGambling.app on your iPhone for the best of both.
Who should pick BetBlocker?
- You need something blocking betting sites tonight and have zero budget.
- Most of your gambling is on a laptop/desktop (NoGambling.app is iOS only).
- You want a charity-backed tool with no commercial motive.
- You are Android-based (NoGambling.app is not available on Android).
Who should pick NoGambling.app?
- You want one iOS app that covers tracking, crisis tools, savings, and community.
- You want a visible recovery loop, not an invisible wall.
- You need crisis-moment tools (panic button) when the urge peaks.
- You are rebuilding finances and want to see debt and savings move.
Frequently asked questions
Is BetBlocker really free?
Yes. BetBlocker is a UK-registered charity and the app costs nothing. There is no premium tier and no upsell. NoGambling.app is a paid app, but includes a 3-day free trial (no card required) and offers a one-time lifetime purchase alongside monthly and yearly subscriptions.
Can I use BetBlocker and NoGambling.app together?
Yes. BetBlocker handles site-level blocking. NoGambling.app handles the daily recovery stack. They do not conflict and many users run both.
Is BetBlocker as strong a blocker as Gamban?
BetBlocker's list is smaller than Gamban's and some users find it easier to bypass. However, BetBlocker is free. If you need something blocking sites tonight and cannot afford Gamban, BetBlocker is a legitimate first step.
What platforms does BetBlocker support?
BetBlocker supports iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Chrome. NoGambling.app supports iOS only.
Does NoGambling.app block gambling sites?
NoGambling.app does not maintain its own large site block list. It guides users through iOS Screen Time and app-level controls to remove betting apps. For deep site blocking, stack BetBlocker (free) or Gamban (paid).
If I can only install one free app, which should I pick?
If you want the single tool that covers the most ground — tracking, crisis, community, savings — pick NoGambling.app. If you need hard site-level blocking tonight, pick BetBlocker. Better answer: install both, they are complementary and both free.
Stack a free blocker with a paid recovery app — try the trial first
Install BetBlocker (free) for blocking. Start the free trial of NoGambling.app for the full recovery stack.
Start free trial of NoGambling.app → iOS 15 or later · Free trial · Lifetime purchase option · Offline-first