# Pause - Stop Mindless Browsing

> Pause distracting websites before they open. Be mindful and intentional with your browsing using this simple extension.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/pause-stop-mindless-browsing](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pause-stop-mindless-browsing)

## Overview

- **ID:** `pause-stop-mindless-browsing`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Freedom
- **Category:** tabs
- **Daily users:** 597
- **Weekly downloads:** 13
- **Rating:** 4.00 / 5 (18 ratings)
- **Version:** 0.2.8
- **Last updated:** 2020-06-23
- **First published:** 2019-09-27
- **Size:** 967 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-08
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/pause-stop-mindless-browsing/)
- **Website:** [https://support.freedom.to](https://support.freedom.to/)

## Description

Pause is a simple Chrome extension designed to break the cycle of distraction and promote mindful browsing habits. When you open a distracting website, Pause shows a calming green screen for a customizable pause time (default 5 seconds), encouraging you to make deliberate choices: continue to the site, stay on the green screen with the site temporarily blocked, or close the tab. 

Preloaded with 50 common distracting websites, Pause allows you to add or edit this list to suit your needs. It helps cultivate focus and productivity by nudging you to be intentional about your online time. Developed by Freedom Labs, Pause respects your privacy by keeping all data secure locally with no information sent to any servers.

## Rankings

- #4,475 — Overall
- #3 — pause
- #9 — browsing
- #15 — kindle
- #18 — cause
- #22 — stop

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `tabs`
- `storage`

### Content script matches

- `*`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** High risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Users appreciate Pause for its simple, gentle nudges that help build self-control over mindless browsing. The add-on is praised for its clean design and easy toggling. However, multiple reviews note drawbacks such as overblocking entire domains like Google, causing disruption to related services, and interruptions every time a new tab or window is opened. Issues with session handling and some ads for subscriptions are also mentioned, highlighting areas that could be improved for a smoother user experience.

### Pros

- Provides a helpful pause or nudge before accessing distracting sites, aiding self-control and mindfulness.
- Simple, aesthetically pleasing interface, and easy to disable temporarily.
- Allows users to build their own list of paused sites and customize their browsing experience.
- Improves browsing by adding friction without outright blocking, promoting better focus and control.
- Works as intended for adding extra friction on mindless websites initially.

### Cons

- Extension prompts on every new tab or window, leading to excessive waiting time, especially with monitored services.
- Blocking 'google.com' inadvertently blocks all Google services (like Gmail, Drive, Docs), which can be disruptive.
- No granular control for URLs within the same domain, leading to overblocking (e.g., blocking Google services when only searching is intended).
- Issues with pausing pages that were opened before turning Pause on, causing loss of session states like YouTube queues.
- Includes promotions for subscription services which some users find annoying.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Pause Stop Mindless Browsing A](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pause-stop-mindless-browsing-a) — 1 users
- [Intention - Stop Mindless Browsing](https://chrome-stats.com/d/intention) — 688 users, 4.92 / 5
- [Mindful Pause](https://chrome-stats.com/d/mindful-pause) — 1 users, 5.00 / 5
- [The 20s Rule - Break Bad Habits](https://chrome-stats.com/d/the-20s-rule-break-bad-habbits) — 34 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Break the Loop - Browser Extension](https://chrome-stats.com/d/break-the-loop-extension) — 1 users
- [Intentional Web Browsing](https://chrome-stats.com/d/intentional-web-browsing)
- [ZenBlock: Mindful Web Blocker & Focus Timer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/zenblock-mindful-web-blocker) — 4 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Mindful Browsing](https://chrome-stats.com/d/mindfulness-browsing) — 11 users, 4.00 / 5
- [Time Limit](https://chrome-stats.com/d/mindful-browse-) — 87 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Pause, Reflect](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pause-reflect) — 4 users
- [Take a Breath](https://chrome-stats.com/d/take-a-breath) — 7 users
- [Intent Loss Reminder](https://chrome-stats.com/d/intent-loss-reminder)

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pause-stop-mindless-browsing)