Software Alternatives & Startups

Foxit PhantomPDF VS SelfControl

Compare Foxit PhantomPDF VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Foxit PhantomPDF

Edit PDF files with our feature-rich PDF Editor. Download Foxit PDF Editor to convert, sign, scan / OCR & more. A speedy PDF Editor alternative to Adobe Acrobat.

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
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.

Which is more popular?

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

social mentions
0 vs 79
PDF Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 183

Base details

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

Foxit PhantomPDF
SelfControl
Website foxit.com selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Foxit PhantomPDF 6 features
SelfControl 4 features
  • Affordability
    Compared to some other high-end PDF editors, Foxit PhantomPDF is reasonably priced, making it accessible for both individual and enterprise users.
  • Comprehensive Features
    Foxit PhantomPDF offers a wide range of features including document editing, creation, conversion, OCR capabilities, security settings, and cloud storage integration.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software has an intuitive and clean user interface, which makes it easier for users to navigate through its features without extensive training.
  • Collaboration Tools
    Foxit PhantomPDF includes advanced collaboration tools that allow multiple users to comment, annotate, and share documents in real-time.
  • Security Options
    Provides robust security features such as password protection, certificate encryption, and redaction tools to secure sensitive information.
  • Performance
    The software is generally fast and efficient, providing quick loading and editing capabilities even for larger PDF documents.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the sheer number of features can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring some time to learn.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    While the desktop version is feature-rich, the mobile versions of Foxit PhantomPDF lack some of the advanced functionalities available on desktop.
  • Subscription Model
    The software relies on a subscription-based model for updates and premium features, which may not be appealing to users looking for a one-time purchase option.
  • Customer Support
    Some users have reported that customer support can be slow to respond and less helpful in resolving complex issues.
  • Complex Advanced Features
    Advanced features like OCR and certain editing tools may require additional plugins or come with limitations, making them less accessible without extra effort.
  • Resource Intensive
    The application can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down your computer if multiple large documents are being processed simultaneously.
  • 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.

Foxit PhantomPDF
SelfControl

Overall verdict

  • Foxit PDF Editor is generally considered a strong competitor in the PDF software market, offering excellent value for both individual and business users. It combines powerful features with an intuitive interface, making it a popular choice for users who need more than just basic PDF viewing capabilities.

Why this product is good

  • Foxit PhantomPDF, now known as Foxit PDF Editor, is highly regarded for its comprehensive PDF editing features. It offers robust tools for creating, editing, and securing PDF documents. Users appreciate its collaboration features, which include shared reviewing, commenting, and document versioning. Its integration with cloud storage services and its ability to handle multiple PDF files efficiently are additional reasons for its popularity.

Recommended for

    Foxit PDF Editor is recommended for professionals and businesses that require advanced PDF editing and collaboration tools. It is also suitable for individuals looking for an alternative to Adobe Acrobat, with support for complex tasks like document collaboration, form creation, and secure document management.

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.

Foxit PhantomPDF 2 videos + Add
SelfControl 2 videos + Add

Tutorial: How to use Foxit PhantomPDF

More videos

  • - Foxit PhantomPDF Business OCR v6.0.7 Review

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
Foxit PhantomPDF
SelfControl
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Foxit PhantomPDF no reviews yet
SelfControl no reviews yet
  • 10 Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives You Should Try
    launchspace.net · Jun 2022

    Like Adobe Acrobat and Nitro, the PhantomPDF uses the Windows-style ribbon to organize its tools and the function tabs are intuitively nested within each tool. The task-based tabs allow easy navigation and access to...

  • 13 of the Best Free PDF Readers
    www.indeed.com · Feb 2021

    Foxit PhantomPDF is an all-around great PDF reader. Like other PDF readers, users can create, edit and share their PDFs directly to cloud storage services. Also, Foxit PhantomPDF comes with advanced security features,...

  • 30 Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives in 2020
    www.guru99.com · Oct 2020

    Foxit PhantomPDF is a PDF editor to generate and manage PDF document. It offers an efficient way to create and manage documents after you publish them. Three available versions of this editor are 1) Standard 9, 2)...

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We have no reviews of SelfControl yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Foxit PhantomPDF 0 mentions
SelfControl 79 mentions

Tracking Foxit PhantomPDF since Mar 2021.

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Alternatives to Foxit PhantomPDF and SelfControl

When comparing Foxit PhantomPDF and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products.