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Nylas Mail VS SelfControl

Compare Nylas Mail VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Nylas Mail

The Nylas Cloud API powers your application with email, calendar & contacts features. Built-in features for better email, calendar, and contact management.

Rating
0 reviews
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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
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Alternatives Is it good?
Grapple
Do-It-Yourself Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, Powered by AI sponsored
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?

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than Nylas Mail. While we know about 80 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 1 mention of Nylas Mail.

social mentions
1 vs 80
Email Automation popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
237 vs 240+

Base details

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

Nylas Mail
SelfControl
Website nylas.com selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing
Official pricing
Open source
Company Startup from the United States · 100 - 249 employees · 2013 —
Listed in
Email Automation Email Management Email Productivity Customer Support +1
Productivity Time Management Focus Health And Fitness +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Nylas Mail 5 features
SelfControl 4 features
  • Unified Inbox
    Nylas Mail allows users to manage multiple email accounts from different providers within a single interface, which improves efficiency and ease of use.
  • Customizability
    The platform offers extensive customization options, including third-party plugins and themes, enabling users to tailor their email experience to their specific needs.
  • Built-in Analytics
    Nylas Mail provides analytical tools that offer insights into email activity and performance, helping users optimize their email strategies.
  • Developer-Friendly
    The service features a comprehensive API and is open-source, making it an excellent tool for developers who want to build custom email experiences or integrate with other applications.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Nylas Mail is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    The advanced features of Nylas Mail often come at a higher price point compared to other free or cheaper email clients, which could be a barrier for individual users or small businesses.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some users have reported that Nylas Mail can be resource-intensive, leading to slower performance on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Limited Offline Access
    While Nylas Mail does offer some offline functionality, it is not as robust as some competitors, which can be a drawback for users who need extensive offline access to their emails.
  • Learning Curve
    The extensive range of features and customization options can make Nylas Mail a bit overwhelming for new users, leading to a steeper learning curve.
  • Inconsistent Updates
    Users have occasionally noted that updates and new feature rollouts are inconsistent, which can lead to stability and reliability concerns.
  • 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.

Nylas Mail
SelfControl

Overall verdict

  • Nylas Mail had a solid reputation for being a capable email client that offered advanced features appreciated by power users. However, it's important to note that Nylas Mail was discontinued and is no longer available. Users interested in similar features might consider alternative email clients like Mailbird, Spark, or Superhuman.

Why this product is good

  • Nylas Mail was known for its modern interface, powerful search capabilities, and support for multiple email services through a unified platform. It also offered features like tracking, scheduling, and syncing across devices, which were highly valued by users who needed robust email management tools.

Recommended for

    Nylas Mail was particularly well-suited for users who manage multiple email accounts and need enhanced functionality beyond basic email management, such as advanced search, email scheduling, and analytics. Since it's no longer available, users with similar needs should look for other modern email clients that offer these capabilities.

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.

Nylas Mail 1 video + Add
SelfControl 2 videos + Add

Gmail with Nylas Mail

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
Nylas Mail
SelfControl
100% 100%
Email Automation
0% 0%
0% 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100%
100% 100%
Email Management
0% 0%
0% 0%
Productivity
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Nylas Mail and SelfControl. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Nylas Mail 1 mention
SelfControl 80 mentions
  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (February 2025)
    Nylas | https://nylas.com | Senior Software Engineer | Remote in Canada (US based company) At Nylas, we specialize in making it easier for developers to add email, calendar, and contact management features into their applications. We... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • No Forest app for PC? The 3 layers where Windows focus apps block distractions
    SelfControl's site calls it "a free Mac application", so no. The nearest Windows equivalents of its locked block are in Layer 3: Cold Turkey's locking features or Freedom's Locked Mode. (selfcontrolapp.com). - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • 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 / 8 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 / 9 months ago

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Alternatives to Nylas Mail and SelfControl

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

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