Gamban Alternatives for Windows: Six Options and What Each Vendor Says

If you want an alternative to Gamban on a Windows PC, six products publish a Windows version: BetBlocker, GamBlock, OFFBET, DigitalZen, Cold Turkey, and GuardianBlock. They are not interchangeable. Each one prices differently, ends a block differently, and involves another person differently, so the right one depends on which of those matters most to you.

We make GuardianBlock, one of the six, and publish this page. It describes what each vendor publishes; it is not an independent review.

Vendor pages rechecked October 17, 2026. This comparison describes published information, not installation tests. Current GamBlock and OFFBET prices could not be read, so no amounts are quoted for them. Where the pages reviewed leave a question open, that is written as not disclosed, never as missing from the product. Check the vendor's current offer before buying.

Our pick for Windows: GuardianBlock

GuardianBlock for Windows will be available soon. For a personal Windows 11 PC, GuardianBlock is our pick, the best Windows gambling blocker of these six for what it does. A keyholder, an adult you choose, approves or denies changes that weaken protection during your commitment, from their own signed-in account. Gambling stays blocked: a temporary exception cannot open a gambling site, even with your keyholder's approval. Custom Blocks cover any other site you choose. It protects browsing in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on an eligible Windows 11 PC, and on the protected Windows account its application controls block known alternative browsers from running as an alternate route. It does not alter your DNS, VPN, or network settings. If you need a phone or a Mac covered, use Windows 10, or want a free tool, Who should pick which names another product for that need.

Who this page is for

• You had Gamban at no cost through TalkBanStop in the United Kingdom and want to know what changed.
• You are pricing Gamban against the other Windows options before you pay for a year of anything.
• You want a different arrangement from a fixed licence period: a password another person holds, a waiting period, or a person who decides each request.

This page is about Windows PCs. A program installed on Windows does not reach your phone. Gamban lists Android, iOS, and macOS apps beside its Windows one, so if the pull is on your phone, plan that device separately. Our guide to blocking gambling apps on iPhone covers that side, and the wider guide to blocking gambling sites on Windows covers free filters and browser extensions that this page leaves out.

What Gamban says about itself

An alternative is easier to judge once the starting point is clear. Here is Gamban's published information in the same fields used for every product further down.

• Windows and installing. Gamban's Windows install guide88 says “Windows 7 or later,” while its apps page99 says “Windows Vista SP2 and newer.” The guide says to run the installer with administrator rights and that “Gamban cannot be installed if other blocking tools are present.”
• Price. Gamban's March 31, 2026 post gives a United Kingdom price of “£4.99 a month or £29.99 a year.” Its pricing page66 is served by region: the Canadian storefront showed CAD 9.99 monthly or CAD 59.99 annually, with CAD identified in the page data. It lists a 7-day free trial, and the knowledge base says there are no differences between paid and trial accounts77. Check the amount Gamban shows you in your own country.
• How a block ends. The knowledge base says installations are final for the licence period1010 and that the software is removed from the device when that period ends, with no action needed from you. A separate article says Gamban is “not able to remove Gamban from your device for you.”1111
• Another person. Gamban says its software “doesn't include password protection,”1212 and that other people on your network “will not be able to see that you have Gamban installed on your devices.”1313 An approving person or a waiting period is not disclosed on the pages read.
• DNS and VPN. Gamban's blocking page1515 discusses layered self-exclusion, not its Windows filtering mechanism. The Windows method is not disclosed on the pages reviewed. Its licence agreement1414, last updated July 20, 2026, says that using a VPN, proxy, or similar technology alongside it “may reduce the effectiveness or stability of the Software.” That is the vendor's written statement about its own product, not a test result.
• Browsers and what is blocked. The Windows install guide names Chrome, Edge, and Firefox as examples for checking an installation, rather than an exhaustive compatibility list. The category list1616 is fixed, in Gamban's words “It is not possible to choose which content is blocked,” and it includes prediction markets.
• Data. The privacy policy1717 lists inferred gambling-addiction status as special category data and says it does not use analytics, advertising, or tracking cookies. It gives retention criteria, but not a fixed retention duration.
• Its own hedge. On coverage: “new sites appear every day and occasionally some may be missed.” On removal, the licence agreement says the software is designed to be difficult to remove and that Gamban “cannot guarantee that the Software is impossible to uninstall.”

For observed Windows changes beside these vendor descriptions, see our October 2026 Gamban and BetBlocker Windows test. It covers Gamban 5.8.4 and BetBlocker 3.6.7 on our test PC; its findings do not establish what every version changes.

What changed with TalkBanStop

TalkBanStop was a United Kingdom partnership that gave people Gamban at no cost. Gamban's own post11 says the partnership ended on March 31, 2026, moving Gamban to paid subscriptions in England and Scotland, with free access continuing in Wales. A second Gamban page22 gives the same date, and the partner sign-up link33 now displays an invalid-link notice.

If your free licence came through TalkBanStop, Gamban says blocking continues until the end of its selected duration. Its announcement changes the next subscription's cost in England and Scotland, not the duration of that existing licence.

The charity pages reviewed describe the offers this way: GambleAware's blocking page44 describes Gamban as a seven-day free trial followed by a paid subscription, and BetBlocker as free. GamCare's blocking-software page55 lists BetBlocker and Gamban, and says some tools are free while others may require payment.

The Wales statement is Gamban's own. If you live in Wales, confirm the current arrangement with Gamban before relying on it.

How to read the six entries

Each entry below uses the same eight fields, in the same order, and the fields were fixed before the entries were filled in. They are the things a vendor's own pages can answer: which Windows it names and what installing needs, what it costs and in which currency, how a block ends, whether another person is involved, what it says about DNS and VPNs, which browsers and categories it names, what data it says it collects, and the hedge it puts on its own promise.

The entries describe what each vendor publishes; the pick above is our own. There is no column for how hard a product is to remove, how many sites it blocks, or how well it works, because the entries are not installation tests and a vendor's marketing is not a measurement. Two of the six, DigitalZen and Cold Turkey, are general distraction blockers and not gambling-specific tools, and their entries say so.

BetBlocker: free, anonymous, and run by a charity

• Windows and installing. BetBlocker publishes a Windows app. A Windows version number and what installing requires are not disclosed on the pages read.
• Price. Free. Asked what it costs, the BetBlocker FAQ1818 says it costs nothing and can be used anonymously without registration. The current English site identifies BetBlocker US, Inc as a nonprofit.
• How a block ends. You choose a period from one day to five years. BetBlocker's published policy is that an active restriction runs for the selected period. Restrictions of two months or longer continue after that minimum until you request an end, followed by a one-week Cooling Off Period. These are the vendor's restriction rules, not our guarantee of enforcement.
• Another person. You select your own restriction. A separate Parental Control mode uses a password held by the person managing that mode. Notifications to another person or a request-approval workflow are not disclosed on the pages reviewed.
• DNS and VPN. The desktop block types page1919 describes a Local Block inside the machine, a VPN Server Block through BetBlocker's VPN, or both. It warns that the VPN option does not work on some wifi networks. Its Local Network FAQ1818 ties the printer and local-device warning specifically to versions using a VPN. The exact settings Local Block changes are not disclosed on these pages.
• Browsers and what is blocked. No browser is named on the pages read. Gambling is the product's stated purpose.
• Data. The privacy policy2020, last updated February 27, 2026, says the app gathers the type and length of block you select, your geographic location, and your language, and that “Individual users cannot be identified via the above data.” For website visitors it lists items including IP address.
• Its own hedge. About the Local Block: “This type of block can be easier to bypass if you are tech savvy.”

GamBlock: password options depend on the edition

• Windows and installing. The Multiple Platforms section of GamBlock's agreements names Windows 7 and above. Its Windows Personal agreement2626 conditions installation on full installation and administrator permissions for the person installing it, including on a managed system. That is the Personal agreement's condition, not permission to install on an employer's computer.
• Price. The former Windows Personal pricing address now leads to a download and pricing page2121 where we could not read current amounts or licence choices. Confirm the price, currency, edition, and term with GamBlock. It says it “does not offer an evaluation version,”2222 and explains on a separate page why it does not offer refunds2323.
• How a block ends. The Windows Personal agreement says GamBlock “is not obliged to remove GamBlock® from a Customer's operating system upon request by the Customer.” When a protection period ends, “a ‘Remove’ button will appear when the PC is started.”2525
• Another person. For Gold and higher, the installation page2424 describes password creation and a choice to protect yourself or another person. Silver does not have the password feature. GamBlock says it does not release passwords or change installation choices on request. Notifications to another person are not disclosed on the pages reviewed.
• DNS and VPN. The product overview2727 states that GamBlock does not use VPNs and is not a simple DNS blocker. It describes heuristic analysis of requested pages, but does not specify the exact Windows integration. These are vendor descriptions, not independently tested results.
• Browsers and what is blocked. GamBlock's browser question2828 names Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. Gambling is the product's stated purpose.
• Data. The privacy statement2929 has no data-category inventory. The separate licence in its agreements says it may collect operating-system type, IP address, and browser version. Neither page displays an update date.
• Its own hedge. GamBlock's licence includes warranty and liability qualifications. Its promotional statements are not independent proof of coverage or removal resistance.

OFFBET: a DNS-layer blocker with a PIN and email alerts

• Windows and installing. The OFFBET Windows page3030 lists “Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit).” Whether installing needs administrator rights is not disclosed on the pages read.
• Price. OFFBET advertises pricing that varies by country. Its pricing page3131 lists one Premium licence including Companion and a 3-day trial with no card. We could not read a current Canadian amount from that page, so check the offer shown in your own country.
• How a block ends. A PIN protects uninstalling, and the support page3232 describes a trusted contact holding the PIN, a 12-, 24-, or 48-hour cooldown, and a Lifetime option. That general support page is largely illustrated through Android; confirm which arrangements apply to its Windows version before choosing one.
• Another person. Besides the trusted-contact PIN, the included Companion feature3333 sends email alerts to up to three people. No approval of a protection-ending request is described. The Companion FAQ says alerts carry the event type, the time, and your given name, without URLs or browsing history.
• DNS and VPN. OFFBET says its Windows service “runs a local DNS resolver right on your PC,” switches Secure DNS off in browsers and in Windows, resets a changed DNS setting, and blocks about twenty consumer VPN apps while protection is on, while “a work or company VPN keeps working.” Those are the vendor's statements. How it tells a work VPN from a consumer one is not disclosed.
• Browsers and what is blocked. The Windows page names Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Brave. Gambling is the product's stated purpose. These are the vendor's named examples, not our compatibility test.
• Data. The privacy policy3535, displaying an update date of 01/10/2026, lists email address, display name, country, IP address, and usage logs in its web-application section. It has no dedicated Windows-product section.
• Its own hedge. The terms of use3434, also displaying 01/10/2026, say “No guarantee against every possible bypass,” in a clause written around its Android app.

DigitalZen: a general blocker with a gambling category

• Windows and installing. The DigitalZen Windows page3636 names Windows 10 and 11 and says “No admin rights required for daily use.” It also makes no-admin setup statements; we have not tested installer privileges.
• Price. The pricing page3737 lists a free Basic plan, Premium at $3 a month billed annually, and a one-time plan at $119, shown beside higher struck-through prices of $5 and $199. No currency code appears on the page. Its terms3838 tie “Lifetime” access to the product's commercial lifetime, without a promise of lifetime maintenance, support, updates, or compatibility. They give a 30-day refund from the original purchase. A fixed trial length is not disclosed on the pages reviewed.
• How a block ends. The Windows page says there are six lock types and names five: code, cooldown, friend approval, schedule, and money fine.
• Another person. “Friend approval” is listed as a lock type, and DigitalZen's pages do not describe how it works, who the friend is, or what they see. So approval by another person is listed by more than one vendor on this page.
• DNS and VPN. A DigitalZen blog post3939 argues for moving “away from DNS-based blocking” and enforcing “at the browser and application layers.” Its Windows page and FAQ mention VPN use as privacy advice, not as tested compatibility evidence.
• Browsers and what is blocked. It names Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, and Opera. Gambling appears once, as one of three example categories: “Block by category: gambling, adult content, social media.” This is a general distraction blocker, and no gambling list size, source, or update schedule is disclosed.
• Data. The privacy policy4141 covers the website, desktop app, and browser extensions, and describes usage analytics and server logs with IP addresses.
• Its own hedge. The DigitalZen FAQ4040 calls the product a “coach, not a prison guard” and “a speed bump big enough to save you from your own impulses.”

Cold Turkey: a focus blocker you pay for once

• Windows and installing. The system requirements page4242 lists Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7 SP1. Asked whether admin rights are needed, it answers “Yes, there's no way around this.”
• Price. Cold Turkey sells Blocker Pro as a one-time purchase4444 with a free version, a 7-day Pro trial, and a 30-day refund. The readable pricing page did not show an amount or currency; check its checkout before buying.
• How a block ends. The user guide4343 lists several lock types, including a Timer lock that keeps changes locked until a chosen time and can be extended. It also describes optional charitable breaks and a setting that excludes them.
• Another person. The paid version adds a Password lock for use with a parent or accountability partner. Partner notifications or a separate approval workflow are not disclosed on the pages reviewed.
• DNS and VPN. Not disclosed on the pages read.
• Browsers and what is blocked. The requirements page lists more than twenty Windows browsers, counting preview channels separately. Gambling appears once, as the goal “Avoid gambling”4545 in a list of personal goals. The guide describes adding sites and importing website categories; the pages reviewed do not identify the contents of a gambling category.
• Data. The privacy policy4646, effective October 15, 2026, describes purchase and licence records, anonymized website analytics, block-page cookies, and temporary security logs. Block settings and usage statistics stay local, according to its policy and guide.
• Its own hedge. Its Terms5252, effective October 15, 2026, warn that third-party changes can affect functionality and do not guarantee that every issue can be fixed.

GuardianBlock: keyholder decisions on sensitive changes

• Windows and installing. Your personal Windows 11 Home or Pro PC (x64). The system requirements page has the detail.
• Price. USD $99/year, billed yearly up front and not refunded on early cancellation, or USD $12/month, billed monthly, cancel anytime. Annual is the default. Either interval covers one protected adult, one accountability partner, and up to three eligible personal Windows 11 devices.
• How a block ends. During your agreed commitment, turning protection off follows a supported path: Keyholder approval, a 24-hour cooling-off period, a signed single-use authorization, and the local uninstall. The install and uninstall page describes that sequence. Support and safety recovery stay available, and once the commitment ends, you no longer need your keyholder's yes.
• Another person. GuardianBlock needs a keyholder: an adult you choose as your accountability partner, who approves or denies sensitive changes from their own signed-in account with multi-factor authentication. There is no password for them to hold. They see protection health, accountability alerts, explicit requests, declared Custom Block domains and categories, and their change decisions; there is no browsing-history feed. A reviewed recovery path covers an unavailable or abusive keyholder, account loss, and related safety cases.
• DNS and VPN. GuardianBlock works at the browser and device layer: supported-browser policy, browser extensions, and a local Windows service. It does not alter DNS, VPN, firewall, proxy, or network-drive settings; the no DNS, VPN, or firewall blocking page explains how.
• Browsers and what is blocked. We protect browsing in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. On the protected Windows account, our application controls also block known alternative browsers from running as an alternate route. Private-browsing differences are explained on the browser support page. Gambling is the core: a temporary exception cannot open a gambling site, even with your keyholder's approval. Custom Blocks cover any other site you decide is off-limits.
• Data. It collects device and enforcement information such as policy and agent versions, browser-coverage status, and tamper or integrity signals, plus declared Custom Block domains and categories, change requests, and what is needed to run your account and your accountability-partner relationship. It does not collect page titles, browsing URL paths, full browsing history, screenshots, keystrokes, or a feed of every blocked attempt. The privacy summary sets out the rest.
• Its own hedge. GuardianBlock's system requirements page sets out what it supports and what it does not.

Who should pick which

Start from the constraint that applies to you.

• You want it free, with no account: BetBlocker says it costs nothing and can be used anonymously. DigitalZen and Cold Turkey also publish free versions as general blockers, without establishing the same anonymous-use arrangement.
• You want a free, self-selected restriction: BetBlocker publishes that option. Read its restriction periods and end rules before choosing a duration.
• You want to stay with Gamban: read its current price in your country and its 7-day trial, and if you live in Wales, ask Gamban about the free route.
• You also need your phone or a Mac covered: Gamban lists apps for both, BetBlocker's desktop page names Apple and Linux computers as well as Windows, and GuardianBlock covers neither.
• You are on Windows 10: DigitalZen, OFFBET, and Cold Turkey each name Windows 10, and Gamban's guide says Windows 7 or later. GuardianBlock does not support Windows 10.
• You want someone else to hold a password: GamBlock describes this for Gold and higher, not Silver. OFFBET's general support page describes a trusted-contact PIN, and Cold Turkey's paid version has a Password lock. Confirm the chosen Windows edition and arrangement before installing.
• You want a waiting period: OFFBET's general support page describes a 12-, 24-, or 48-hour cooldown; confirm its Windows scope. BetBlocker documents a one-week Cooling Off Period after the minimum period on restrictions of two months or longer.
• You want someone told, but not deciding: OFFBET includes Companion email alerts to up to three people and describes no protection-exit approval step.
• You want a general focus tool you pay for once and are willing to configure what it blocks: Cold Turkey.
• You want a person to approve or deny changes that weaken protection during your commitment, on a personal Windows 11 PC, and you have an adult willing to take that role: that is what GuardianBlock is built for, and how gambling blockers lock explains how that differs from a held password.
• The computer belongs to an employer or school: GamBlock's Windows Personal agreement conditions installation on full installation and administrator permissions, and GuardianBlock does not support managed devices. Ask the IT team before installing any of these, and read gambling blockers without a VPN or DNS for why the network layer matters there.

Whichever you shortlist, the longer checklist in questions to ask before you trust a gambling blocker is worth ten minutes before you pay for a year.

Where blocking software fits

Blocking software makes gambling harder to reach. A 2026 peer-reviewed paper4747 describes it as a harm reduction tool rather than treatment for gambling disorder.

Respondents to a Gambling Commission call for evidence told the regulator4848 that blocking software “is most useful in conjunction with other support such as treatment and self-exclusion.” A blocker sits beside those, and why self-exclusion works, but leaks explains how the two differ.

How this page was made, and who keeps it current

Vendor facts come from the vendors' own websites; each numbered source records its access date and any unresolved price or scope limit. No review site, listicle, or one vendor's page about another supplies a vendor fact here. Our separate Windows test is linked where it helps, with its own tested versions; the entries on this page remain a reading of published information.

We recheck the vendors' pages about every 30 days. The update date at the top changes when the article changes substantively; source access dates record when a page was read. Prices, regional programmes, and charity listings change fastest.