Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Disconnect

Free

Disconnect lets you visualize and block invisible websites that track your browsing activity.

Our take

See the trackers and stop them with Disconnect.

Alright, let's dive into "Disconnect". This thing is all about giving you a little peace of mind on the internet. It's supposed to block trackers and keep your data private. Sounds pretty neat, right? So, I tried it out, and I'll tell you what — it does a solid job at cutting off those sneaky trackers that follow you around online. One of the best parts is how it works quietly in the background. You won't even notice it, but it’s doing its thing, and that’s a win in my book.

Now, don't get me wrong, it's not a magic bullet. While it blocks a lot of the obvious stuff, some trackers still manage to slip through the cracks. It’s kind of like having a bouncer at the door — most of the riffraff gets turned away, but a few might sneak in. So, if you're expecting total anonymity, you might want to temper those expectations a bit. It's definitely a solid layer of protection but not the only one you'll need if you're super serious about privacy.

One of the things I really appreciate is how easy it is to set up. You don't need to be a tech wizard to get it running. Just install it, and you're pretty much good to go. The interface is straightforward, which is a breath of fresh air. I mean, who has time to fiddle with complicated settings? I sure don’t. Plus, if you do want to tweak things, the options are there, but they don’t get in your face about it.

But here's the kicker — sometimes it can mess with certain websites. Some sites don't play nice when Disconnect is doing its thing. So you might find yourself having to pause it or whitelist a site, which can be a bit of a hassle. It's a tradeoff, for sure. You get to keep a lot of your data private, but at the cost of having to occasionally deal with these little hiccups.

Overall, if you're looking for an easy way to boost your online privacy without diving into the deep end of tech, Disconnect is a pretty solid pick. Just remember, it’s not a one-stop-shop for all your privacy needs. It's more like a good first step. If you're a bit skeptical about apps that promise the moon, like I am, you'll find Disconnect refreshingly honest in what it can and can't do. Give it a whirl if you're curious, but keep those expectations realistic, and you'll probably be pretty satisfied.

Free with premium options

$8.99/month

$10/month