Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Gestimer VS SelfControl

Compare Gestimer VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Gestimer logo Gestimer

For those little reminders during the day

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.
  • Gestimer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-09
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Gestimer features and specs

  • User Interface
    Gestimer features a minimalistic and intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to set reminders quickly.
  • Integration
    The app integrates seamlessly with macOS, appearing in the menu bar and providing quick access to timer settings.
  • Efficiency
    Setting a timer is extremely fast, which can be especially useful for users who need to set frequent short-term reminders.
  • Visual Appeal
    Gestimer has a visually appealing design, enhancing the overall user experience.
  • Low Resource Usage
    The app is lightweight and does not consume significant system resources.

Possible disadvantages of Gestimer

  • Limited Features
    Gestimer's functionality is primarily focused on short-term reminders and does not support more complex to-do list features.
  • Single Platform
    Currently available only for macOS, limiting its use for people who utilize multiple operating systems.
  • No Syncing
    The app does not offer synchronization across multiple devices, restricting reminders to just one device.
  • Cost
    Gestimer is a paid application, which may be a barrier for users who are looking for free alternatives.
  • Notification Management
    Limited customization options for notifications might be a drawback for users who prefer more control over how they are alerted.

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 Gestimer

Overall verdict

  • Gestimer is considered a good application for those who prioritize ease of use and visual design in a timer application. Its ability to seamlessly integrate into the macOS environment makes it a recommended choice for Mac users.

Why this product is good

  • Gestimer is highly regarded due to its simplicity and intuitive design. It allows users to create quick and easy reminders by simply dragging from the menu bar, which appeals to individuals who appreciate minimalistic and efficient productivity tools. Additionally, its visual approach to setting timers is often praised for enhancing user experience and making time management feel less burdensome.

Recommended for

  • Mac users who want a simple and visually appealing timer.
  • Individuals who prefer minimalistic productivity tools.
  • Those looking for a quick and efficient way to manage short time intervals or tasks.

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.

Gestimer videos

Best Reminder App For Mac - OS X - Gestimer!

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 Gestimer and SelfControl)
Alarm Clock
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
19 19%
81% 81
Tool
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 Gestimer. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 5 mentions of Gestimer. 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.

Gestimer mentions (5)

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 / 4 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 Gestimer and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

Hourglass - Hourglass is the most advanced simple countdown timer for Windows.

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!

Online timer - Online timer is a free and easy-to-use tool that comes with a very simple way to get done with measuring time and alarm.

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

Timer Tab - Online countdown timer, alarm clock, and stopwatch.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat