Software Alternatives & Startups

Mattermost VS SelfControl

Compare Mattermost VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Mattermost

Mattermost is an open source alternative to Slack.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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?

SelfControl might be a bit more popular than Mattermost. We know about 79 links to it since March 2021 and only 76 links to Mattermost.

social mentions
76 vs 79
Communication popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 183

Base details

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

Mattermost
SelfControl
Website mattermost.com selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing
Open source Official pricing
Open source
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Mattermost 5 features
SelfControl 4 features
  • Open Source
    Mattermost is open-source, which allows organizations to customize and extend the platform to fit their specific needs. This also means that the community can contribute to the development and improvement of the software.
  • Security
    Being self-hosted or hosted in a private cloud, Mattermost offers strong security controls, making it suitable for industries with stringent compliance requirements.
  • Flexibility
    Mattermost supports a wide range of plugins and integrations with other tools and services, providing a high degree of flexibility in customization.
  • Team Collaboration
    The platform provides comprehensive team collaboration features, including direct messages, group chats, and file sharing, which streamline communication and project management.
  • Scalability
    Mattermost is designed to handle large-scale deployments, making it suitable for enterprises with significant user bases.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up Mattermost can be complex and may require considerable time and technical expertise, particularly for self-hosted deployments.
  • Cost
    While the basic version is free, advanced features and enterprise-grade support come at a cost which can be expensive for smaller organizations.
  • Maintenance
    Self-hosting Mattermost requires ongoing maintenance, including updates and security patches, which can be resource-intensive.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may experience a learning curve due to the platform's comprehensive set of features and customization options.
  • Mobile Experience
    The mobile app, while functional, is often considered less polished and feature-rich compared to the desktop version, which might affect user experience on the go.
  • 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.

Mattermost
SelfControl

Overall verdict

  • Mattermost is a strong choice for teams and organizations looking for a secure, customizable, and self-hosted collaboration tool. While it may require more setup than some cloud-based alternatives, the customization and control it offers can be a significant benefit.

Why this product is good

  • Mattermost is considered a good platform for its open-source nature, which provides flexibility and control over data, making it a popular choice for organizations with specific security and compliance needs. It offers robust features for team collaboration, including messaging, file sharing, and integrations with other services. The ability to customize and extend the platform to fit unique organizational workflows is another advantage.

Recommended for

    Mattermost is recommended for organizations that prioritize data privacy and security, need extensive customization options, or are looking to integrate a collaboration tool into existing systems. It is also suitable for teams in regulated industries requiring on-premises solutions.

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.

Mattermost 3 videos + Add
SelfControl 2 videos + Add

Mattermost - An Open Source, Self Hosted, Slack Chat Alternative

More videos

  • - Demo of Mattermost Basics | Features end users love
  • - Getting Started with Mattermost

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
Mattermost
SelfControl
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Mattermost 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.

Mattermost no reviews yet
SelfControl no reviews yet

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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.

Mattermost 76 mentions
SelfControl 79 mentions
  • Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (October 2026)
    Mattermost | Remote (US and Canada) | FT | Multiple roles Mattermost (https://mattermost.com) is an open-core collaboration and workflow automation platform for air-gapped, on-prem and private clouds. Our customers are in defense,... - Source: Hacker News / 15 days ago
  • Slack Code
    The amazing thing is that there is almost always an open-source alternative that is 10x better in many ways, in the case of slack https://mattermost.com/ I'm looking forward for AI to make it very easy to deploy your own tools and walk... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Radicle: Sovereign {code forge} built on Git
    How does it compare to MatterMost [1]? [1] https://mattermost.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago

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Alternatives to Mattermost and SelfControl

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