Software Alternatives & Startups

Code Time VS SelfControl

Compare Code Time VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Code Time

VS Code extension for automatic programming metrics

Rating
0 reviews
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.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than Code Time. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 1 mention of Code Time.

social mentions
1 vs 79
Productivity popularity
24% vs 76%
alternatives listed
34 vs 183

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Code Time
SelfControl
Website software.com selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Code Time 5 features
SelfControl 4 features
  • Productivity Tracking
    Code Time provides detailed analytics on your coding habits, helping developers track their productivity and identify patterns that can improve efficiency.
  • Integration
    The tool integrates seamlessly with popular code editors like VS Code, Sublime Text, and Atom, making it convenient to use without disrupting existing workflows.
  • Goal Setting
    It offers features like setting coding goals and measuring progress, which can motivate developers to stay on track and achieve their objectives.
  • Free Version
    Code Time offers a free version with ample features, making it accessible to individual developers and small teams who might have budget constraints.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Available on multiple platforms, Code Time allows developers to use it on their preferred operating systems, ensuring flexibility and ease of use.

Possible disadvantages

  • Privacy Concerns
    Since Code Time tracks coding activity, there may be concerns regarding data privacy and how the information collected is used or stored.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While the free version is robust, some advanced features are locked behind a paywall, which might deter users looking for a comprehensive free tool.
  • Potential Distractions
    The continuous tracking and notification features might become distracting for some developers, causing interruptions in focus during coding sessions.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may experience a learning curve as they navigate through the various features and settings, especially those unfamiliar with productivity tools.
  • Dependence on IDE
    Code Time is dependent on the use of supported integrated development environments (IDEs), potentially limiting its usefulness for developers who use less conventional coding setups.
  • 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

  • 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

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Code Time
SelfControl

No analysis of Code Time yet.

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Code Time 0 videos + Add
SelfControl 2 videos + Add

No Code Time videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

How to block websites that distract you ? Selfcontrol [Mac App review and tutorial]

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Code Time
SelfControl
24% 24%
76% 76%
11% 11%
89% 89%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Code Time 1 mention
SelfControl 79 mentions
  • How do you prevent PRs from getting stuck in your teams?
    There are some tools like software.com's devtools suite. It can surface all your throughput metrics as well as give you a "pending reviews" view to see what's waiting. You can also set it up to ping you with things sit around for too long. Source: almost 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Code Time and SelfControl

When comparing Code Time and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products.