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BePresent VS SelfControl

Compare BePresent VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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

BePresent logo BePresent

Duolingo for reducing screen time

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.
Not present
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

BePresent features and specs

  • Focus Enhancement
    BePresent helps users stay focused on tasks by minimizing distractions, improving productivity and maintaining engagement in work or study sessions.
  • Time Management
    The app allows users to better manage their time by setting goals and tracking progress, ensuring they allocate their time effectively across various tasks.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    BePresent features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all tech-savviness levels.
  • Progress Tracking
    Users can visually track their progress and receive insights, which can be motivating and aid in evaluating productivity over time.
  • Customization Options
    The app offers various customization options to cater to individual user preferences and needs in scheduling and productivity tracking.

Possible disadvantages of BePresent

  • Limited Free Features
    Users may find the features available in the free version limited, potentially requiring a subscription to access premium functionalities.
  • Dependency Risk
    Reliance on the app for productivity might lead to dependency, affecting usersโ€™ ability to manage tasks without it.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any app that tracks personal data, there might be concerns regarding user privacy and data security.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may experience a learning curve as they familiarize themselves with the appโ€™s features and functionalities.
  • Potential Technical Issues
    Like all digital applications, BePresent might occasionally experience bugs or technical issues that could disrupt user experience.

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 BePresent

Overall verdict

  • BePresent is a well-regarded digital wellbeing app that helps users reduce screen time and build healthier phone habits through a supportive, non-judgmental approach. It's a solid choice for those looking to be more mindful about their device usage without harsh restrictions.

Why this product is good

  • Focuses on mindful phone usage rather than strict blocking, making habit change feel more sustainable
  • Offers screen time tracking and insights to help you understand your digital habits
  • Includes community and accountability features that encourage motivation and support
  • Clean, user-friendly interface that makes monitoring progress simple
  • Encourages positive behavior change through gentle nudges rather than guilt or heavy restrictions

Recommended for

  • People trying to reduce excessive screen time and phone addiction
  • Users who prefer a supportive, mindful approach over strict app blockers
  • Students and professionals wanting to improve focus and productivity
  • Anyone looking to build healthier daily digital habits
  • Individuals who value community accountability for behavior change

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.

BePresent videos

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SelfControl videos

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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 BePresent and SelfControl)

BePresent

SelfControl

Time Management
9 9%
Time Management
91% 91
Time Tracking
5 5%
Time Tracking
95% 95
Productivity
6 6%
Productivity
94% 94
Invoicing
6 6%
Invoicing
94% 94

User comments

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Reviews

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

BePresent Reviews

Best Screen Time Apps for iPhone (2026)
BePresent turns reducing screen time into a game: points, streaks, weekly leaderboards, and challenges with friends and family, plus a Beast Mode lock for when the game needs teeth. It holds a 4.8 rating across tens of thousands of reviews on the App Store, with a free tier to start and a paid plan at $79.99 a year.
Source: www.getenough.app
Opal vs BePresent vs enough. - Which One Is Best?
Opal vs BePresent vs enough. - Which One Is Best?Opal: protect the hoursBePresent: make it a game you'd hate to loseenough.: make the decision onceThe comparison in one passOpal vs BePresent vs enough.: the verdictRelated articles one sec vs Opal vs enough.: pause, block, or set up once one sec Alternatives That Actually Reduce Screen Time Forest App Alternatives for People...
Source: www.getenough.app

SelfControl Reviews

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

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 79 times since March 2021. 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.

BePresent mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of BePresent yet. Tracking of BePresent recommendations started around Apr 2024.

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 / 5 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 / 12 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
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What are some alternatives?

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

clearspace - make your phone less addicting

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!

GetEnough.app - enough. is a screen time app built around a guided 7-day program. Block distracting apps, reduce screen time by an hour a day. The program is free on iOS.

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

FocusBear.io - Build habit routines, take better breaks, and ban distractions.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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