Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ActivityWatch VS SelfControl

Compare ActivityWatch VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

ActivityWatch logo ActivityWatch

Log what you do on your computer. Simple (yet powerful), extensible, no third parties.

SelfControl logo SelfControl

V2 updates! - Custom time interval for distraction free mode - Ability to turn off ' always on' mode - Improved UI -- Self Control -- A simple app to keep you focused online by blocking sites that you spend way too much time on.
  • ActivityWatch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

ActivityWatch videos

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SelfControl videos

How to block websites that distract you ? Selfcontrol [Mac App review and tutorial]

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ActivityWatch and SelfControl)
Time Tracking
40 40%
60% 60
Invoicing
57 57%
43% 43
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ActivityWatch and SelfControl

ActivityWatch Reviews

49 Best Timesheet Alternatives - Features, pros & cons, pricing | Remote Tools
ActivityWatch tracks how you spend time on your devices. It can help you keep track of time spent on different projects, kick bad screen habits, or just understand how you spend your time.

SelfControl Reviews

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

SelfControl might be a bit more popular than ActivityWatch. We know about 75 links to it since March 2021 and only 52 links to ActivityWatch. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ActivityWatch mentions (52)

  • Basic computer logon tracking/monitoring tools?
    But have a look at https://activitywatch.net/. Source: 6 months ago
  • I am looking for an Ubuntu tool to keep track of time spent actively using the computer
    I have used a tool called Activity Watch, an open source project. But this is kind of too much for me. Source: 9 months ago
  • Ask HN: What apps do you use to focus?
    I am using Firefox extension "LeechBlock" . Free and very flexible. Also for better analysis, my laptop time spending using activity watch - https://www.proginosko.com/leechblock/ - https://activitywatch.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Do you accurately track your time?
    If you want to do this independent of the PSA agent you can look at ActivityWatch to run on your own systems. If you really want to you can go into the Activity section of the Dashboard and get a pretty detailed view of what you had open, and you can use the Category Builder to auto-assign things to work, social media, etc. Source: 11 months ago
  • Figuring out and keeping track of your Sims 2 playtime: A Reticulated Guide
    ActivityWatch is another free software that allows you to keep track of your playtime, although that's an oversimplification of what it really is because it keeps track of all the windows you've opened on your computer. The main purpose of this app is helping with productivity, as it gives you a clue of what you've done on your PC and for how long. Source: 12 months ago
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SelfControl mentions (75)

  • My 30-Year Quitting Addiction
    There is a free and open source app called SelfControl for macOS. It allows one to block access to any site one adds to the list in the app for the amount of time the user chooses. Attempt to use multiple browsers, restarting one's machine, deleting the app, etc. won't get around the block either. It's been super helpful for me, so I thought I'd just throw it out there. https://selfcontrolapp.com. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • App to prevent distractions at work
    It is SelfControl. It is open-source and free. You select the website you want to block and the time. The moment you click the button no matter what you do, you can forget about accessing those websites until the time is over; there is no cancel button. Restarted mac won't work, you can delete the app no luck. Source: 5 months ago
  • App to prevent distractions at work
    The SelfControl app lets you specify web sites that will be blocked. When you run the app, you specify a countdown timer, during which time those apps will be inaccessible. Source: 5 months ago
  • Finals season
    - https://selfcontrolapp.com/ this is free app. block off all social media and time wasters .. Only for mac. if there is nothing to be distracted... IMO I eventually be bored and I was able to get into the zone... Not right away... But I told my self... Today I study... And I stay in the study room. Source: 6 months ago
  • Looking for the right app
    Apps I have tried and are not enough: - https://heyfocus.com/ - https://freedom.to/ - https://selfcontrolapp.com/ - https://www.forestapp.cc/ - https://www.rescuetime.com/. Source: 6 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ActivityWatch and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

RescueTime - Time management software that shows you how you spend your time & provides tools to help you be more productive.

Cold Turkey - Cold Turkey is a free productivity program that you can use to temporarily block distractions so that you can get your work done!

Toggl - Toggl is an online time tracking tool. It features 1-click time tracking and helps you see where your time goes. Free and paid versions are available.

Focus - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.

ManicTime - Track your computer usage and use collected data to accurately tag time.

Freedom.to - Freedom is a productivity hack that lets you block apps, websites or the entire Internet on iPhones, iPads, Windows and Mac computers.