Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Cachely.dev VS SelfControl

Compare Cachely.dev VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Cachely is a managed implementation of self-hosted remote cache for monorepos. Speed up CI, prove how much time and cost you saved, get build optimization suggestions, safe from cache poisoning (CVE-2025-36852). Turborepo and Bazel on the roadmap.

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.
  • Cachely.dev Landing page
    Landing page //
    2026-08-01

Cachely is the managed self-hosted remote cache for Nx and Turborepo - the cache backend you'd otherwise build and run yourself, hosted for you on Cloudflare's edge (R2). It's a drop-in replacement for a DIY @nx/s3-cache / S3 bucket setup: point your build tool at Cachely with a token and two environment variables, and share build cache across CI and every developer's laptop.

Unlike a self-hosted cache, Cachely enforces read-only tokens at the API, so pull-request and fork builds can read but never write - closing the Nx cache-poisoning attack (CVE-2025-36852). It adds ROI reporting (the real build minutes and dollars the cache saved), per-tool insights, and build-optimization suggestions on top.

Pricing is a flat per-workspace subscription with no per-seat fees - add every developer, bot, and CI actor without watching the bill. Cachely never stores your source code; it caches only task outputs and their content hashes. Nx and Turborepo today; Bazel on the roadmap.

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

Cachely.dev features and specs

  • Simplified Caching Setup
    Cachely.dev likely offers an easy-to-integrate caching layer that reduces the complexity of manually configuring caching infrastructure, allowing developers to implement caching with minimal setup time.
  • Performance Improvement
    By providing a dedicated caching solution, Cachely.dev can help reduce latency and improve application response times, especially for frequently accessed data or API responses.
  • Developer-Focused Design
    The .dev domain and branding suggest the product is tailored specifically for developers, potentially offering clean APIs, SDKs, and documentation that fit into modern development workflows.
  • Scalability
    As a specialized caching service, it may be built to handle scaling automatically, removing the burden of managing cache infrastructure as traffic grows.
  • Reduced Backend Load
    Effective caching can significantly reduce the load on primary databases and backend services, potentially lowering infrastructure costs and improving overall system reliability.

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 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.

Cachely.dev 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 Cachely.dev and SelfControl)
Productivity
5 5%
95% 95
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Developer Tools
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 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.

Cachely.dev mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Cachely.dev yet. Tracking of Cachely.dev recommendations started around Jun 2026.

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 / 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 / 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 Cachely.dev and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

nxCloud - nxCloud is a commercial OwnCloud provider

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!