Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

KeePass VS SelfControl

Compare KeePass VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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.

KeePass logo KeePass

KeePass is an open source password manager. Passwords can be stored in highly-encrypted databases, which can be unlocked with one master password or key file.

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.
  • KeePass Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-09
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

KeePass features and specs

  • Open Source
    KeePass is open-source software, which means its source code is publicly available for review. This ensures transparency and allows for independent security audits.
  • Free
    KeePass is completely free to use. There are no subscription fees or one-time purchase costs, making it accessible to everyone.
  • Strong Encryption
    KeePass uses strong encryption algorithms (AES-256, ChaCha20) to securely store passwords, making it very difficult for unauthorized users to access the stored data.
  • Cross-platform Availability
    KeePass supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and has a variety of compatible third-party apps for mobile platforms like Android and iOS.
  • Offline Storage
    KeePass stores the password database locally on your device rather than in the cloud, reducing the risk of remote hacks or breaches.
  • Customizable
    KeePass offers a high degree of customization through plugins and extensions, allowing users to tailor its functionality to their specific needs.
  • Portable
    KeePass can be run from a USB stick without installation, making it a portable option for users who need password management on the go.

Possible disadvantages of KeePass

  • User Interface
    The user interface of KeePass is considered by some to be outdated and not as intuitive as more modern password managers.
  • Manual Syncing
    KeePass does not have built-in cloud synchronization, requiring users to manually sync their password database across multiple devices.
  • Learning Curve
    Being a highly customizable tool with various features, KeePass can have a steep learning curve for new users who are not tech-savvy.
  • No Native Mobile Apps
    While there are third-party apps available for mobile devices, KeePass does not offer official mobile applications, which may lead to inconsistencies in user experience.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As an open-source project, KeePass does not offer professional customer support. Users must rely on community forums and documentation for help.
  • Reliance on Plugins
    Many advanced features require the use of third-party plugins, which may vary in quality and security, potentially introducing risks.

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 KeePass

Overall verdict

  • KeePass is a highly recommended password manager for users who value security, privacy, and customization. Its open-source status and strong encryption make it a trustworthy option in the password management domain.

Why this product is good

  • KeePass is considered a good password manager due to its open-source nature, which allows for community review and contribution to security enhancements. It offers robust encryption algorithms to protect user data, such as AES-256 and Twofish. Additionally, KeePass supports a variety of plugins, providing customizable features and functionality, and ensures that all password data is stored locally, offering users full control over their information.

Recommended for

    KeePass is ideal for individuals who are technically inclined and appreciate the added security of managing passwords locally. It's also well-suited for users who require a high degree of customization and those who prefer open-source software solutions.

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.

KeePass videos

Keepass vs Lastpass vs No Password Manager

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to use KeePass
  • Review - KeePass Password Safe - Is It Really Safe To Use It (Quick Review) 2019

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 KeePass and SelfControl)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Password Management
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using KeePass and SelfControl. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare KeePass and SelfControl

KeePass Reviews

9 Best KeePass Alternatives
KeePass isnโ€™t the only open-source password manager availableโ€”thereโ€™s also Bitwarden. It doesnโ€™t offer all of the technical benefits that KeePass does, but itโ€™s much easier to use, and a better solution for many users.
Best KeePass Alternatives (Better Password Managers)
Are you in search of the best KeePass alternatives? KeePass is an open-source password manager. On top of that, itโ€™s free. But since youโ€™re looking for alternative password managers, thereโ€™s a high chance you didnโ€™t like its UI.
The Best Password Managers To Keep Your Data Safe In 2022
If you want maximum control for zero cost, open source KeePass - and more specifically, the alternative clients that use the same secure standard - constitute our favourite free password manager. You can store your encrypted password database files anywhere you want, and if the official KeePass app looks a little clunky (spoiler: it is, a bit), there are plenty of highly...
Source: www.wired.co.uk
Top 5 Bitwarden Password Manager Alternatives
KeePass is one of the oldest open-source password managers on the market. Designed mainly for Windows users, This Bitwarden alternative delivers great security features such as full encryption for the entire database. It also supports auto-typing, which helps you auto fill login/password information. You can easily import passwords from other managers.
10 Best Free Password Manager to Secure Your Password For 2019
KeePass free password manager that uses the AES-256 and Twofish algorithm to encrypt its password databases. All you need is just to remember a single password to unlock your password database.
Source: gbhackers.com

SelfControl Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, KeePass should be more popular than SelfControl. It has been mentiond 209 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.

KeePass mentions (209)

  • Which KeePass version is best for me?
    The official KeePass is https://keepass.info/, with the initial release in 2003! The newest versions are 2.53 and 1.41 (when I wrote this article), released in January 2023 (less than 5 months after the previous release). - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Hijacking Trust? Bitvise Under Fire for Controlling Domain of FOSS Project PuTTY
    I don't get it. The putty website has always been https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/ This has never changed. Just because someone likes to use short circuit routing in their head doesn't make putty.org the official site for putty. That is the same attitude as telling the Keepass folks that https://keepass.info/ is wrong... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Ask HN: How To: Store and share passwords in a company?
    Https://keepass.info and share the database file on a shared folder or sync it somehow. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Why do people use Password Managers?
    And the best part is there are solutions already that do this: https://keepass.info/ Does it work on Android or iOS? - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Why do people use Password Managers?
    The key difference here being that this is two way hashing so passwords can be decrypted. In reality, there are a lot of attack vectors like MITM, event logging or sometimes straight up storing data in plaintext. Through these hackers can generally get passwords of all users of these services. So, why don't people use local password managers? Just a txt file encrypted with "master password" should be pretty... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

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 / 5 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 / 10 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
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing KeePass and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

1Password - 1Password can create strong, unique passwords for you, remember them, and restore them, all directly in your web browser.

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!

bitwarden - Bitwarden is a free and open source password management solution for individuals, teams, and business organizations.

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

Lastpass - LastPass is an online password manager and form filler that makes web browsing easier and more secure.

Focus App - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.