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LiveReload VS SelfControl

Compare LiveReload VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

LiveReload logo LiveReload

LiveReload 2 proudly presents… The Web Developer Wonderland. (a happy land where browsers don't need a Refresh button). CSS edits and image changes apply live. CoffeeScript, SASS, LESS and others just work.

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.
  • LiveReload Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-24
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

LiveReload features and specs

  • Real-time Reloading
    LiveReload automatically refreshes your web page whenever you make changes to your files, enhancing the development workflow by providing immediate feedback.
  • CSS and Image Updates
    It allows for CSS and image changes to be applied live without requiring a full page reload, which speeds up the process of tweaking styles and visual elements.
  • Wide Language Support
    LiveReload supports a variety of languages and preprocessors such as LESS, Sass, CoffeeScript, and others, making it versatile for different projects.
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    It's available on multiple platforms including macOS, Windows, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of LiveReload

  • Configuration Requirements
    Setting up LiveReload might require manual configuration and integration into your build process, which can be time-consuming for new users.
  • Browser Extension Dependency
    Using LiveReload often requires a browser extension for automatic reloading, which may not be supported or available for all browsers.
  • Resource Intensive
    LiveReload can consume more system resources than manual reloading, especially on large projects, potentially slowing down the development environment.
  • Limited IDE Integration
    Some IDEs may not fully support LiveReload, requiring developers to use separate tools or plugins to integrate its capabilities.

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 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.

LiveReload videos

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

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SelfControl videos

+ Add

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 LiveReload and SelfControl)

LiveReload

SelfControl

Image Optimisation
100 100%
Image Optimisation
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100
Developer Tools
100 100%
Developer Tools
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
Time Management
100% 100

User comments

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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.

LiveReload mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of LiveReload yet. Tracking of LiveReload recommendations started around Mar 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 – The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted
    Happy to see it still exists, and free https://selfcontrolapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 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 / about 1 year 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 LiveReload and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

CodeKit - CodeKit allows you to optimize the performance of your website by automatically and efficiently compiling a variety of popular languages.

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!

Browsersync - Browsersync makes your tweaking and testing faster by synchronising file changes and interactions...

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

Ghostlab - Ghostlab allows you to test out a newly developed website on a variety of browsers and mobile devices at the same time. To get started, simply drag the web address to the Ghostlab system and press the play button. Read more about Ghostlab.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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