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Anki VS SelfControl

Compare Anki VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Anki logo Anki

Anki is a program which makes remembering things easy. Because it's a lot more efficient than traditional study methods, you can either greatly decrease your time spent studying, or greatly increase the amount you learn.

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.
  • Anki Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-13
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Anki features and specs

  • Spaced Repetition System
    Anki uses a powerful spaced repetition algorithm to optimize learning and retention by scheduling reviews at increasing intervals.
  • Customizability
    Users can create their own flashcards, import shared decks, add images, audio, and even HTML to personalize and enhance their study experience.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    Anki is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, providing seamless learning across different devices.
  • Extensive Community Support
    Anki has a large and active user community that provides free shared decks, add-ons, and resources, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    Anki can be integrated with other study tools and platforms, such as AnkiWeb for online sync, and various plugins that extend Anki's functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Anki

  • Initial Learning Curve
    Beginners may find it challenging to learn how to use Anki's advanced features and customization options effectively.
  • User Interface
    The user interface is functional but may be considered outdated and less intuitive compared to more modern applications.
  • Dependence on User-Generated Content
    The quality of shared decks can vary significantly, which means users may need to spend time curating or creating high-quality content.
  • Cost for Mobile Apps
    While the desktop versions of Anki are free, the iOS app is paid, which might be a barrier for some users considering mobile access.
  • Time-Consuming Setup
    Creating highly effective and personalized flashcards can be time-consuming, especially for complex subjects.

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 Anki

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Anki is considered a good application for those looking to enhance their learning and retention capabilities. Its customizable flashcard system, community support, and robust synchronization features make it a valuable resource for learners worldwide.

Why this product is good

  • Anki is widely regarded as a highly effective tool for memorization and learning due to its use of spaced repetition, a technique that helps reinforce information by presenting it just as you are about to forget it. This method significantly enhances long-term retention and is particularly beneficial for studying large volumes of information.

Recommended for

  • Students preparing for exams
  • Language learners
  • Professionals needing to memorize large amounts of information
  • Anyone interested in improving their memory retention skills

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.

Anki videos

+ Add

How I Learn Everything : Anki Tutorial

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use Anki Effectively - Flash Card Basics for Pre-Med and Med Students [Part 1]
  • Review - Anki Review App | Resource Review

SelfControl videos

+ Add

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 Anki and SelfControl)

Anki

SelfControl

Studying
100 100%
Studying
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100
Education
100 100%
Education
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
Time Management
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Anki and SelfControl. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

Anki Reviews

The Best New Flashcard Apps to Learn and Study in 2024: A Market Overview
If you look at the communities, they are beloved by most and others resent them for what they offer. Anki is feature rich, but is web native and does not offer an out of the box mobile App. In a modern world of on the go learning this might be a no go for some. Others prefer serious stuying on the laptop.
Source: medium.com
The 10 Best Duolingo Alternatives You NEED to Try
Anki is free for Android users but costs $20 for iOS. This is just a one-time payment. The app is completely free if you use it on the desktop version.
Source: happilyevertravels.com
10 Duolingo Alternatives to Boost Your Language Skills
Since you can create your own cards, Anki works with any language you might want to learn. With so many existing cards available, thereโ€™s also a strong chance that someone has already made cards for your target language.
Source: www.fluentu.com
10 Best Anki Alternatives 2022
Like Anki, it adopts the spaced repetition method too, however, Brainscape has a few features that Anki does not, such as the ability to import images into your flashcards. This can be very helpful for learning new things, as it can make the process more visually engaging.
Source: rigorousthemes.com
Anki Alternatives โ€“ 9 Similar Learning Apps You Need To Know
Mochi also proves to be a suitable alternative due to its good compatibility with the popular flashcard app Anki. Itโ€™s easy to import your Anki decks into Mochi, so you can immediately use all shared Anki decks in Mochi.
Source: tools2study.com

SelfControl Reviews

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Anki seems to be a lot more popular than SelfControl. While we know about 850 links to Anki, we've tracked only 79 mentions of 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.

Anki mentions (850)

  • Show HN: Coding-Flashcards โ€“ Learn Rust, SQLite, or Godot from First Principles
    Thanks! I'm using [Anki Panky](https://github.com/kamalsacranie/anki-panky) for generating the flashcards and then [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/) itself for learning them. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Learning Languages with the Help of Algorithms
    Careful using the Anki name, the original author of the app recently registered a trademark. > Anki is a registered trademark of Ankitects Pty Ltd. https://apps.ankiweb.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • AnkiBuddy: Automating Flashcard Creation for Medical Students
    AnkiBuddy transforms the way medical students create study materials by using AI to generate high-quality Anki flashcards from PDF documents in minutes - eliminating hours of manual card creation. Built by Dr. David Topf and using Anvil, AnkiBuddy went from initial idea to working prototype in just 2 months, with Anvil enabling rapid iteration and continuous improvement ever since. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Spaced Repetition Memory System
    To mirror the sibling comment: https://apps.ankiweb.net/ is * Open Source * Cross-platform * $0 except on iOS * Popular enough to have a community and ecosystem around it. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Simple Hack to Learn 2X Faster
    Anki (spaced repetition): Use it to create cards from your notes for active recall. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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 / 4 months ago
  • Kiki โ€“ The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted
    Happy to see it still exists, and free https://selfcontrolapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 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 / 11 months 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 Anki and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

Quizlet - Quizlet allows you to review and create flashcards for a variety of subjects, such as math and reading.

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!

Memrise - Learn a new language with games, humorous chatbots and over 30,000 native speaker videos.

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

Duolingo - Duolingo is a free language learning app for iOS, Windows and Android devices. The app makes learning a new language fun by breaking learning into small lessons where you can earn points and move up through the levels. Read more about Duolingo.

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

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