Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Overcast VS SelfControl

Compare Overcast VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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Overcast logo Overcast

Video-first asset management for teams

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.
  • Overcast Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-18
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Overcast features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Overcast boasts a clean, intuitive design that makes it easy for users to navigate and find their favorite podcasts.
  • Smart Speed
    The Smart Speed feature dynamically shortens silences in podcast episodes, allowing listeners to save time without distorting the content.
  • Voice Boost
    Voice Boost normalizes and enhances audio levels, making it easier to hear voices, especially in noisy environments.
  • Custom Playlists
    Users can create and manage custom playlists, which offer flexibility in arranging and playing podcast episodes.
  • Offline Listening
    Overcast allows users to download episodes for offline listening, which is convenient for those with limited or no internet access.
  • Chapter Support
    The app supports chapter markers, which enable listeners to skip to specific sections of a podcast episode easily.
  • Free Version
    Overcast offers a free version with many features available, reducing the barrier to entry for new users.

Possible disadvantages of Overcast

  • iOS Exclusivity
    Overcast is only available on iOS, which limits its accessibility to users of other platforms, like Android.
  • Ads in Free Version
    The free version of Overcast includes ads, which some users may find intrusive or annoying.
  • Limited App Integrations
    Overcast has fewer integrations with other apps and services compared to some of its competitors, limiting its versatility.
  • Premium Cost
    The cost of upgrading to the premium version, while reasonable, might still be a barrier for some users who seek an ad-free experience.
  • Customization Limitations
    While Overcast offers some customization options, it may not be as extensive as those provided by other podcast apps.

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.

Overcast videos

Overcast 5.0: The BEST Podcast App for iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad (App Walkthrough) | Apps

More videos:

  • Review - Is this the best podcast player? Overcast
  • Tutorial - Overcast Deep Dive Tutorial

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 Overcast and SelfControl)
Podcast Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Podcast Hosting
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Overcast might be a bit more popular than SelfControl. We know about 108 links to it since March 2021 and only 79 links to SelfControl. 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.

Overcast mentions (108)

  • Worlds's first all-solid-state battery ready to power up production vehicles now
    The Verge was discussed at least 2 times, most recently yesterday, on the Wheel Bearings podcast (which I enjoy for the simple motorhead banter). https://overcast.fm/+AA7tJqdxHkE Robbie from SAE International, who is of the hosts, and an avid motorcyclist, is impressed with the bike and the promise of SSBs. I only ride bicycles, canโ€™t comment on the bike itself, but thought to share and widen their audience. It... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Ask HN: How do you share info within podcasts?
    I frequently find myself wanting to share information surfaced in a podcast, usually a 1 - 3 minute bit from an episode. I'm not naive enough to think friends or random people on the internet will sit through the hour I just sat through, but I don't have a great way of sharing. My current method is to use Overcast,ยน which allows you to clip up to 90 seconds from an episode and export with a deep link to a... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Pentagon Pizza Index
    There was an excellent podcast covering this on Endless Thread! https://overcast.fm/+PCa9DKnMg. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Google's shortened goo.gl links will stop working next month
    In the first segment of the very first episode of the Abstractions podcast, we talked about Google killing its goo.gl URL obfuscation service and why it is such a craven abdication of responsibility. Have a listen, if youโ€™re curious: Overcast link to relevant chapter: https://overcast.fm/+BOOFexNLJ8/02:33 Original episode link: https://shows.arrowloop.com/@abstractions/episodes/001-the-rubber-never-hits-the-road. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Early US Intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites
    Here's a great podcast he was on today if you want more depth than one of those big bombs: https://overcast.fm/+AA4I1vyy4qY. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year 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 Overcast and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

Pocket Casts - All the podcasts you know and love. With over 300, 000 unique shows, we've got you covered. Featured, Trending & Most Popular. See what's popular and find new favorites with Pocket Casts Discover. Read more about Pocket Casts.

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!

gPodder - gPodder // Media aggregator and podcast client. gPodder is a simple, open source podcast client written in Python using GTK+. In development since 2005 with a proven, mature codebase. The latest version is 3.

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

TuneIn Radio - With TuneIn Radio Mobile, your mobile device becomes the radio.

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