GambleGuard vs Gamban
Both tools help you stop gambling, but they solve the problem in different ways. Gamban is paid software that blocks gambling apps and websites across your devices. GambleGuard is a free Chrome blocker and web app that adds recovery tools. Here is an honest, side by side look so you can pick what fits your situation.
The short version
Gamban is a well established, paid blocker that works across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It blocks gambling apps as well as websites at the device level, is partnered with GamCare and the UK National Gambling Helpline, and is designed to be difficult to remove. It is focused on blocking, so it does not include recovery features like a coach or journaling.
GambleGuard is free. It is a Chrome browser extension plus a web app that blocks more than 200,000 gambling sites at the browser level, and it pairs that with recovery support: an AI recovery coach, a streak tracker, a trigger journal, calming tools, and an optional commitment vault. The honest tradeoff is that it protects Chrome on your computer rather than every app on every device.
GambleGuard vs Gamban at a glance
| Feature | GambleGuard | Gamban |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no card required | Paid subscription |
| Platforms | Chrome browser extension and web app | Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS |
| Blocks gambling websites | Yes, 200,000+ sites at the browser level | Yes, at the device level |
| Blocks gambling apps | No | Yes |
| Recovery tools and AI coach | Yes, AI coach, journal, calming tools | No, blocking focused |
| Streak tracking | Yes | No |
| Commitment vault | Yes, optional | No |
| Ease of setup | Add to Chrome in seconds | Install the app on each device |
| Best for | A free browser blocker with recovery support | Cross-device and app blocking for someone who will pay |
Where GambleGuard wins
- It is free. There is no subscription and no card required, so cost is never a reason to go without help.
- It adds recovery support, not just blocking. The AI coach, trigger journal, streak tracker, and calming tools are built to help you understand your triggers and stay stopped, not only to put up a wall.
- Setup takes seconds. Add it to Chrome and sign in, and your blocked attempts sync to your dashboard right away.
- An optional commitment vault. If you want real stakes, you can commit funds on your own terms for extra accountability.
Where Gamban wins
- It covers phones and apps. Gamban blocks gambling apps as well as websites, which matters if most of your gambling happens on a mobile device.
- It is cross-device. One tool protects Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, rather than a single browser.
- It is hard to remove. Gamban is designed to resist being uninstalled in a weak moment, which some people specifically want.
- It is well established. Gamban is partnered with GamCare and the UK National Gambling Helpline, with a long track record.
Which should you choose?
Choose Gamban if your main need is strong, hard to remove blocking that follows you across your phone and computer and covers gambling apps, and you are comfortable paying a subscription for it.
Choose GambleGuard if you want a free browser blocker that also gives you recovery tools, or if the sites you are trying to avoid are the ones you reach for on your computer. Because GambleGuard is free, it is also an easy complement to Gamban: you can run Gamban for device and app blocking and use GambleGuard for the AI coach, journal, and streak tracking on top.
If you are not sure, you can start with GambleGuard for free today and add device level blocking later if you need it. You can also read our guide to the best gambling blockers of 2026 or compare GambleGuard vs BetBlocker for another free option.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Gamban?
Yes. GambleGuard is a free alternative to Gamban. It is a Chrome extension plus web app that blocks more than 200,000 gambling sites at the browser level and adds recovery tools like an AI coach, a streak tracker, and a trigger journal. The tradeoff is that GambleGuard works in Chrome on your computer, while Gamban is a paid app that also covers phones and gambling apps.
Does GambleGuard block gambling apps like Gamban?
GambleGuard blocks gambling websites inside the Chrome browser, so it stops the sites you would open on your computer. It does not block standalone mobile gambling apps. Gamban is designed to block gambling apps as well as websites across your devices, so if app blocking on a phone is your main need, Gamban is the stronger fit.
Can I use GambleGuard and Gamban together?
Yes, and many people do. You can run Gamban for device and app level blocking across your phone and computer, and use GambleGuard for a free browser blocker plus recovery support like the AI coach, journal, and streak tracker. They complement each other well.
Which is harder to bypass, GambleGuard or Gamban?
Gamban is built to be difficult to remove and works at the device level across platforms, which makes it hard to get around, especially on a phone. GambleGuard adds a Strict Mode that increases accountability in Chrome, but because it is a browser extension it protects Chrome rather than the whole device. For the most resistant blocking across devices, Gamban has the edge.
Which is better for someone on a budget?
GambleGuard is free, with no subscription and no card required, so it is the easy choice when cost is a concern. Gamban is a paid subscription. If you want a free browser blocker with built in recovery tools, start with GambleGuard. If you can pay and need cross-device or app blocking, Gamban is worth the cost.
Start your recovery today
Whichever tool you pick, the important step is starting. GambleGuard is free to try, takes seconds to set up, and meets you with support rather than judgment. If you have questions, our support page is here to help, and you can always learn more about the whole project on our home page.
Take back control. Start free today.
GambleGuard blocks every gambling site and gives you the tools to stay stopped. Free, no card, no catch.