Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Commons VS SelfControl

Compare Commons VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Commons logo Commons

Private Clubhouse for your team to collaborate and connect

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.
  • Commons Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-18
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Commons features and specs

  • Collaboration Features
    Commons offers robust tools to enhance team collaboration, including shared documents, real-time editing, and communication tools that streamline project management.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for team members of all technical abilities to navigate and use effectively.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Commons has strong integration capabilities with other popular productivity tools like Google Drive, Slack, and Trello, facilitating seamless workflow management.
  • Security
    The platform emphasizes security, utilizing encryption and other measures to protect user data and ensure privacy.
  • Customizable Workflows
    Users can tailor workflows to their specific needs, allowing for greater flexibility and efficiency in managing projects.

Possible disadvantages of Commons

  • Cost
    The platform can be pricey, especially for startups or small teams with limited budgets, which might make it less accessible.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, there is still a learning curve for new users to fully take advantage of all the features and capabilities.
  • Limited Offline Functionality
    Commons mainly operates online, which can be a drawback for users who need to work in environments with limited or no internet access.
  • Feature Overload
    Some users may find the abundance of features overwhelming and may struggle to identify and use the tools most relevant to their needs.
  • Performance Issues
    Occasionally, users report performance issues, such as slow loading times or lag, particularly when dealing with large files or extended periods of use.

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 Commons

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Commons is generally considered a good platform, especially for teams seeking a streamlined collaborative environment.

Why this product is good

  • Commons (commons.so) is often regarded as a good platform due to its user-friendly interface, robust features for team collaboration, and ability to integrate with various tools that enhance productivity. Users appreciate its focus on minimizing distractions and improving workflow efficiency.

Recommended for

  • Remote teams
  • Startups looking for agile project management
  • Organizations seeking better team collaboration
  • Businesses aiming to integrate productivity tools

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.

Commons videos

SCREEN: The Commons review

More videos:

  • Review - Limited Resources 635 โ€“ Kamigawa Neon Dynasty Set Review: Commons and Uncommons
  • Review - Review Commons webinar - hosted by Whitehead PDA and ASAPbio

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 Commons and SelfControl)
Productivity
33 33%
67% 67
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Android
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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

Commons mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Commons yet. Tracking of Commons recommendations started around May 2021.

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 Commons and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

Angle Audio - Live audio conversations as a service

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!

Noor - Chat like you're in the office together

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

Orbital - Orbital is an Arcade, Puzzle and Single-player video game created by Bitforge Ltd.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat