Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

browserling VS SelfControl

Compare browserling 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.

browserling logo browserling

Live interactive cross-browser testing from your browser.

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.
  • browserling Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-19
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

browserling features and specs

  • Cross-Browser Testing
    Browserling allows you to test your website across multiple browsers and operating systems without the need for virtual machines or separate devices.
  • Live Interaction
    You can interact with the browsers in real-time, enabling you to test dynamic elements and user interactions easily.
  • No Installation
    The service is entirely web-based, meaning no installation or setup is required, which saves time and simplifies the process.
  • Security
    Browserling provides secure browsing sessions, ensuring that your data and testing environments remain safe.
  • Developer Tools
    Built-in developer tools allow you to debug and inspect code directly in the testing session.
  • Bookmarklets
    You can use bookmarklets provided by Browserling to quickly initiate tests directly from your browser.

Possible disadvantages of browserling

  • Session Limits
    Free accounts have limited session times, which can be restrictive for comprehensive testing.
  • Performance
    The performance and responsiveness can sometimes be slower compared to testing on a local machine.
  • Cost
    Advanced features and unlimited testing require a paid subscription, which might not be cost-effective for small teams or solo developers.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Some advanced testing features, like automated screenshot comparisons or parallel testing, may be missing or less developed compared to competitors.
  • Browser and OS Availability
    While Browserling supports a wide range of browsers and operating systems, it may not cover all possible combinations needed for exhaustive testing.

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 browserling

Overall verdict

  • Browserling is generally considered a good tool for web developers and testers who need quick and easy access to multiple browsers on various operating systems. It simplifies the process of cross-browser testing and can save time and resources compared to setting up multiple virtual machines or devices.

Why this product is good

  • Browserling is a tool that allows users to quickly test their websites across different browsers in real time. It provides a cloud-based platform where you can run various browsers without needing to install them on your machine. This service is particularly useful for developers and testers who need to ensure cross-browser compatibility. Additionally, Browserling offers features like live interactive testing, screenshots, and responsive testing which can enhance productivity and efficiency in web development workflows.

Recommended for

  • Web developers
  • QA testers
  • UI/UX designers
  • Freelancers
  • Agencies
  • Anyone interested in testing websites across multiple browsers and operating systems

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.

browserling videos

LambdaTest vs Browserling - Browser Compatibility Testing Tools Reviews

More videos:

  • Review - Browserling problem solved | WhatsApp on Jio phone | install WhatsApp on Jio phone

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 browserling and SelfControl)
Website Testing
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Browser Testing
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than browserling. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 6 mentions of browserling. 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.

browserling mentions (6)

  • No more porn in utah. Get me out of here
    Https://browserling.com Browser inside of a browser. Gets past annoying ass firewalls. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is Opening a suspicious link in a virtual machine is safe to the host?
    I don't use my own vm - I use https://browserling.com - you only get 2 minutes but very easy and quick to check a link out. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Accidently clicked malicious link
    Redirects you to a YouTube video. Plugged this into browserling.com. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Local network url bypass
    Basically, I have recently got my hands on a rasperry pi, I love it! I have a homelab, but it just doesnt have the functionality of portability. So, if there was someone on my network with a firewall that blocked urls within the brower, is it possible that there is some software that host a webserver, but simply passes through html with a url on the top. If you dont understand me, what I am saying is, is it... Source: over 4 years ago
  • [DISCORD IN SCHOOL] PS + Browserling - Essentially unblockable
    "" * Want to access Discord from school? Use this method * Step #1: Go to https://browserling.com Step #2: Click on "Internet Explorer" and change it to "Chrome" Step #3: Type "https://proxyscrape.com/web-proxy" in the box of Browserling Step #4: Press enter, and wait for it to load. When it's done, type "discord.com" in the PS website Step #5: Wait for it to load. Once it does, click the menu icon at the top and... Source: over 4 years 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 / 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 / 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
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What are some alternatives?

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

BrowserStack - BrowserStack is a software testing platform for developers to comprehensively test websites and mobile applications for quality.

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!

Sauce Labs - Test mobile or web apps instantly across 700+ browser/OS/device platform combinations - without infrastructure setup.

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

CrossBrowserTesting - Browser Testing made simple! Run automated, visual, and manual tests on 1500+ real browsers and mobile devices. Test more browsers, in less time.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat