Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AdGuard VS SelfControl

Compare AdGuard VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

AdGuard logo AdGuard

Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

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.
  • AdGuard Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12

AdGuard is the best way to get rid of intrusive ads and online tracking, and to protect your computer from malware. Make your web surfing faster, safer and more comfortable with AdGuard!

  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

AdGuard features and specs

  • Effective Ad Blocking
    AdGuard effectively blocks intrusive ads, pop-ups, banner ads, and video ads, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
  • Privacy Protection
    AdGuard helps protect user privacy by blocking third-party trackers, preventing websites from collecting personal data.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize the level of filtering and create their own rules to block specific types of content or to whitelist particular websites.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    AdGuard is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, etc.
  • Additional Features
    In addition to ad blocking, AdGuard offers features like parental control, safe browsing, and spyware protection.

Possible disadvantages of AdGuard

  • Subscription Cost
    While offering free versions, most of AdGuard's advanced features require a paid subscription, which may not be suitable for all users.
  • Resource Usage
    AdGuard can consume a noticeable amount of system resources, which may affect the performance on less powerful devices.
  • Potential Website Breakage
    Some websites may not function properly when AdGuard is enabled, requiring users to manually whitelist such sites.
  • Learning Curve
    For users who want to fully utilize AdGuard's customizability, there is a learning curve associated with understanding and configuring its advanced settings.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    On iOS, AdGuard's functionality is somewhat limited compared to its Android counterpart due to Apple's restrictive policy on system-wide ad blockers.

SelfControl features and specs

  • Effective Website Blocking
    SelfControl blocks access to distracting websites based on a customizable blocklist, helping users stay focused.
  • Timer Functionality
    Users can set a timer for how long they want websites to remain blocked, ensuring focused work periods without distraction.
  • Free to Use
    SelfControl is open-source and free to download and use, making it accessible to anyone without financial barriers.
  • Easy to Use
    The interface is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing users to quickly set their preferences and get started.

Possible disadvantages of SelfControl

  • Mac-Only
    SelfControl is only available for macOS, excluding Windows and Linux users from using the application.
  • No Undo Option
    Once the block period is set and started, it cannot be undone even by restarting the computer, which could be an issue if access to blocked sites is needed unexpectedly.
  • Limited Feature Set
    The app primarily focuses on website blocking, lacking additional productivity tools or features like app blocking or usage analytics.
  • No Scheduled Blocking
    SelfControl does not offer the ability to schedule block sessions in advance, meaning users must manually start each session.

Analysis of AdGuard

Overall verdict

  • AdGuard is generally considered a good choice for those looking to block ads and enhance their online privacy. Its range of features and cross-platform support make it a robust solution for most users.

Why this product is good

  • AdGuard is known for its effective ad-blocking capabilities, shielding users from intrusive advertisements across websites and apps.
  • It also provides additional features such as privacy protection, blocking of trackers, and optional parental control.
  • The software is compatible with various platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and browser extensions, offering flexibility for users.
  • AdGuard has a user-friendly interface and offers both a free version and more comprehensive paid options.

Recommended for

  • Users who want to block ads and enhance their browsing experience on different devices.
  • People concerned about privacy and data tracking while browsing online.
  • Parents looking for tools to implement parental controls and regulate internet content for their children.
  • Individuals who prefer customizable settings in a straightforward interface.

Analysis of SelfControl

Overall verdict

  • Overall, SelfControl is a highly recommended tool for individuals looking to enhance their productivity by minimizing digital distractions. Its open-source nature and no-nonsense approach make it a popular choice among students, freelancers, and professionals alike.

Why this product is good

  • SelfControl is considered a good application because it effectively blocks distracting websites, helping users focus on their tasks without getting sidetracked by online distractions. It's simple to use, efficient, and highly customizable, allowing users to specify which sites to block and for how long, ensuring a tailored productivity experience.

Recommended for

    SelfControl is ideal for students who need to concentrate on studying, remote workers who want to avoid procrastination, freelancers who require discipline in managing their time, and anyone who needs a simple solution to reduce digital distractions during focused work periods.

AdGuard videos

AdGuard for Desktop and Android: Why We Use the Full Version

More videos:

  • Review - Bye Bye To Annoying Ads...Using AdGuard [Review]
  • Review - AdGuard Youtube ads killer and others Lifetime Deal

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 AdGuard and SelfControl)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

AdGuard Reviews

The Best Ad Blockers for YouTube 2024
AdGuard’s Chrome extension was effective in removing multiple types of ads, such as pop-up ads and chatbots. We also tested the macOS application when using Safari and saw the same results: no ads. We used AdGuard while watching a few videos on YouTube and were pleasantly surprised not to encounter ads while using the platform. AdGuard was able to remove pop-up ads, video...
List of 10 Best Ad Blockers in 2024
In thе еvеr-еxpanding digital landscapе of 2024, AdGuard еmеrgеs as onе of thе bеst ad blockers availablе. With its powerful fеaturеs and robust pеrformancе, AdGuard еffеctivеly shiеlds usеrs from intrusivе and unwantеd advеrtisеmеnts across various platforms. This advanced tool еmploys a combination of filtеrs, including AdGuard’s own databasе, to block ads on wеbsitеs,...
Best Ad Blockers in 2023: Adblock Plus vs AdGuard vs uBlock Origin and More
I made sure to include several excellent browser extensions, which are all better than AdGuard. On the other hand, I also wanted to include a full-fledged desktop app, which is where AdGuard performs admirably, hence its place on the list.
10 Best FREE Anti Tracking Software In 2023 [TOP SELECTIVE]
AdGuard is a tool with various features which allow users to work efficiently without worrying about their data privacy. This tool provides a faster browser as it disables all ads and trackers on the browser, enabling a faster browsing speed.
Best AD Blockers for Android [ 2022 ]
Then Adguard is a great alternative Not only does it block ads on both your browser and apps, but it’s also the only ad blocker that removes the spaces where the ads used to be.

SelfControl Reviews

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

AdGuard might be a bit more popular than SelfControl. We know about 87 links to it since March 2021 and only 79 links to SelfControl. 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.

AdGuard mentions (87)

View more

SelfControl mentions (79)

  • Oregon School Cell Phone Ban: 'Engaged Students, Joyful Teachers'
    A combination of https://selfcontrolapp.com/ and Hammerspoon automation and you can lock yourself out of pretty much everything. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Kiki – The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted
    Happy to see it still exists, and free https://selfcontrolapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • How do you fight YouTube addiction and procrastination? I'm struggling with it
    I have found that a useful method for getting distractions off my work laptop has been https://selfcontrolapp.com/ (if you're on mac). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Using an $8 smart outlet to avoid brainrot
    Pro tip for macos/ios folks: - Macos: Install https://selfcontrolapp.com/, add every website and their alternatives you know, set it to 24 hours. Really hard to bypass this even if you know networking stuff - iOS: Enable downtime 24/7 ask someone else to set the password. I'm down to about 35 minutes a day of mobile usage, and laptop usage is only work related things. You really need two or three days to clear... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • 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 / over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

Adblock Plus - AdBlock Plus is a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and several other popular browsers that prevents intrusive ads like pop-ups and malicious code from appearing on websites you visit.

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!

uBlock Origin - Popular and efficient blocker for Chromium, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Thunderbird.

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

AdBlock - Ad blocker for Chrome, Safari and Opera on desktop and Safari for iOS devices.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat