Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MAMP VS SelfControl

Compare MAMP 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.

MAMP logo MAMP

MAMP is the abbreviation for Macintosh, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. It is a reliable application with its four components that allows you to access the local PHP server as well as the database server (SQL).

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.
  • MAMP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

MAMP features and specs

  • Easy Installation
    MAMP provides an easy-to-use installer for macOS that simplifies the setup process, allowing even beginners to quickly get a local development environment up and running.
  • Pre-configured Environment
    It comes with a pre-configured environment including Apache, MySQL, and PHP, reducing the need to manually setup and configure these services.
  • Convenient for Testing
    Allows web developers to test their projects locally before deploying to a live server, enhancing workflow and reducing deployment errors.
  • Multiple PHP Versions
    MAMP allows users to switch between different PHP versions effortlessly, which is beneficial for testing compatibility with various PHP versions.
  • Free Version Available
    It offers a free version with essential features, making it accessible for individual developers and small projects.
  • Additional Tools with MAMP PRO
    MAMP PRO provides advanced features like virtual hosts, remote servers, and dynamic DNS, which are useful for more complex development needs.

Possible disadvantages of MAMP

  • Mac Only for MAMP PRO
    MAMP PRO is only available for macOS, limiting its usage for developers who use other operating systems like Windows.
  • Limited Support for Advanced Configurations
    The pre-configured environment, while convenient, might not support all advanced configurations needed by experienced developers, requiring manual adjustments.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running MAMP along with all its services can consume considerable system resources, potentially slowing down your machine.
  • Paid Features
    Some useful features such as automated backups, dynamic DNS, and multiple hosts are only available in the paid PRO version.
  • User Interface Limitations
    The user interface, while simple, can be limiting for developers who prefer more control over their environment through a command line.

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 MAMP

Overall verdict

  • MAMP is considered a good tool for developers who want a straightforward solution for running a local server. It is particularly appreciated for its user-friendly interface and quick installation process. However, for more advanced users or those looking for more customizable environments, it might be limiting compared to alternatives like Docker or custom setups.

Why this product is good

  • MAMP is a popular local server environment that allows developers to run PHP, Apache, and MySQL on their local machines. It is known for its ease of use and ability to quickly set up a local development environment without the need to dive into complex server configurations.

Recommended for

  • Beginners who need a simple and quick way to run a local server environment.
  • Developers working on PHP-based projects.
  • Users who prefer graphical interfaces over command-line configurations.
  • Those who need to test and develop web applications on their local machines without deploying them to the web.

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.

MAMP videos

How to install Wordpress locally with MAMP in less than 5 minutes

More videos:

  • Review - 104 - MAMP Cloud
  • Tutorial - How To Setup MAMP for WordPress Development - Easy Local Web Server

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 MAMP and SelfControl)
Web And Application Servers
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Web Servers
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

MAMP Reviews

Exploring 7 Efficient Alternatives to MAMP for Local Development Environments
MAMP is a popular choice among IDE software, known for its powerful and user-friendly local server environment suitable for developers of all levels. Whether youโ€™re a beginner looking to quickly set up a local testing environment or a professional developer in need of advanced features and flexibility, MAMP caters to a wide audience. Supporting both MacOS and Windows, MAMP...
Source: medium.com
Top 6 Alternatives to XAMPP for Local Development Environments
MAMP - A powerful and user-friendly local server environment suitable for developers at all levels, from beginners who want to quickly set up a local testing environment to professionals needing advanced features and flexibility. Supports both macOS and Windows, and includes services and languages beyond Apache, MySQL, and PHP, such as Nginx, Perl, Python, offering both free...
Source: dev.to
Best XAMPP Alternatives for Website Development in 2024
Other alternatives like WAMP, MAMP, LocalWP, EasyPHP, Laragon, and AMPPS also provide unique features, but InstaWP stands out for its efficiency and ease of use. By leveraging InstaWP, developers can streamline their workflow and create exceptional websites with confidence.
Source: instawp.com
8 Best MAMP Alternatives (Definitive List)
Putting all of those downsides aside, MAMP is a good option if you plan on working on a single WordPress local development project. The MAMP stack includes all of the components that WordPress needs, including the webserver, database, and PHP. In practice, you can use MAMP to launch a WordPress website in a matter of minutes.
Source: kinsta.com
13 Best XAMPP Alternatives
It offers a wide range of great features, but letโ€™s take a look at some of its best characteristics: automatic detection for PHP versions, Apache versions, MySQL versions, and much more; native support for most typical servers, including Xampp, LAMP, MAMP, and WampServer; automatic updates using CPanel on your server; easy migration process that can migrate databases between...
Source: thetechtian.com

SelfControl Reviews

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet.
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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.

MAMP mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MAMP yet. Tracking of MAMP 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 / 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 / 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 MAMP and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

XAMPP - XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server that is primarily used when locally developing web applications.

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!

Microsoft IIS - Internet Information Services is a web server for Microsoft Windows

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

Apache Tomcat - An open source software implementation of the Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages technologies

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