The short version
StayFocusd solved one problem extremely well over a decade ago: capping how long you can spend on time-sink websites. NGUMU is built for a different job — running a disciplined work rhythm where blocking is one of several tools, alongside timing, break enforcement and measurement.
Feature comparison
| NGUMU | StayFocusd | |
|---|---|---|
| Work-break timers | Pomodoro, 52-17, 90-20, 20-20-20, custom | None |
| Blocking model | Blacklist, whitelist, curated presets, active during focus sessions | Daily time budget per site |
| Break enforcement | Full-screen overlay | None |
| Eye health | Pre-break blink warning | None |
| Tab management | Limits distracting tabs during sessions | None |
| Analytics | Focus minutes, session counts, daily/weekly goals, long-term trends | Minimal |
| Languages | Multi-language UI | English |
| Dark mode | Yes | No |
| Data handling | Local storage, no personal data collected | Local |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge, Brave | Chrome |
| Price | Free, optional Pro | Free |
Where StayFocusd still wins
- Zero learning curve. Install, set a budget, forget it.
- The "nuclear option" is genuinely hard to undo, which some people need.
- If your only failure mode is duration — not context switching — a budget is sufficient.
Where NGUMU wins
1. Blocking that knows when you're working
StayFocusd's budget runs all day. NGUMU enforces blocklists only while a focus session is active, so your lunch break isn't policed and your work block genuinely is. Curated presets cover the usual suspects — social media, video streaming, news — so setup takes seconds.
2. Structure, not just restriction
Blocking removes the bad option. It doesn't create the good one. NGUMU's cycles (25/5, 52/17, 90/20, 20-20-20 or your own) give the session a shape, a finish line and a rest.
3. Breaks you actually take
A full-screen overlay makes it awkward to skip a break, and the pre-break blink warning nudges you to rest your eyes before it starts. Over a full day this is the difference between "finished" and "fried".
4. Evidence
NGUMU logs every session: focus minutes, counts, goal progress, history. You can see whether the week actually improved instead of guessing. StayFocusd tells you almost nothing.
5. It's on Edge and Brave too
NGUMU is published for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Brave.
Which should you pick?
- Pick StayFocusd if you want a one-setting daily cap and nothing else.
- Pick NGUMU if you want to structure your working day, protect your eyes, cut multitasking and see the numbers — with no account and no data leaving your browser.
- Use both? Possible, but redundant. NGUMU's session-scoped blocking covers StayFocusd's job.
For a wider field, see the 5 best focus extensions in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is NGUMU free?
Yes. Core timers, blocking, breaks and analytics are free. Pro adds deeper analytics, extended timer options, more granular blocklist control and persistent session history.
Does NGUMU collect my browsing data?
No. Session data lives in local browser storage and no personal information is collected.
Can I migrate my StayFocusd blocklist?
There's no importer, but NGUMU's curated presets usually cover the same sites in one click, and you can paste additional domains into your blacklist.
Does NGUMU work on Microsoft Edge?
Yes — NGUMU is available for Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Brave.