Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PopDo VS SelfControl

Compare PopDo 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.

PopDo logo PopDo

A quick task list for your Mac menu bar

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.
  • PopDo
    Image date //
    2024-11-21
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

PopDo features and specs

  • User Interface
    PopDo has a clean and intuitive user interface that makes task management straightforward and efficient, allowing users to focus on their tasks without being overwhelmed by too many features or settings.
  • Integration
    It integrates seamlessly with macOS and iOS, offering notifications and widget support which enhances productivity by keeping the tasks accessible and synchronized across Apple devices.
  • Simplicity
    PopDo offers a simple yet effective approach to task management, which can be beneficial for users who appreciate a minimalist design without unnecessary complexities.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    It supports keyboard shortcuts, making it quicker to navigate and manage tasks, which is ideal for power users who prefer using keyboards over mice.

Possible disadvantages of PopDo

  • Platform Limitation
    PopDo is primarily designed for macOS and iOS, which limits its usage to Apple ecosystem users and may not be ideal for those looking for cross-platform compatibility.
  • Feature Set
    While simplicity can be a pro, the lack of advanced features might be a downside for those needing more robust project management tools like collaboration features, sub-tasks, or more integration options.
  • Pricing
    Depending on its subscription or purchase model, some users might find it expensive, especially if they compare it with other task management tools that offer more features at similar or lower prices.

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.

PopDo videos

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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 PopDo and SelfControl)
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than PopDo. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 4 mentions of PopDo. 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.

PopDo mentions (4)

  • Menu Bar App for Apple Notes
    Hi everyone. So I've been searching for a Menu Bar App for quick note-taking functionality (similar to Tot, SimpleNote, or Jot) but should be integrated with Apple Notes and with iCloud syncing functionality (somewhat similar to PopDo which is integrated with Apple Reminders). However, I can't seem to find any. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Get Reminders Mac App Permanently on Desktop
    If you donโ€™t mind a menu bar app as the next best thing you could try Fantastical, GoodTask or PopDo, itโ€™s on sale right now. Iโ€™ve only used Fantastical โ€” itโ€™s really superb โ€” I canโ€™t speak for the other two. Source: about 5 years ago
  • Is there an app that can let me quick add events/reminders to my calendar?
    You can use my app PopDo for this. It has natural language processing and sits in the menu bar. It's mostly for reminders, so all events will appear on Appleโ€™s Reminders, not on Calendar. Source: over 5 years ago
  • I think I might have a problem...
    You might as well also add my own product PopDo. Hereโ€™s a 100% discount promo code redeemable at checkout page (not Mac App Store): FREEPOPDO202103. Source: over 5 years ago

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 / 6 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 PopDo and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

Gestimer - For those little reminders during the day

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!

Thought Train - Stop using sticky notes to remember what you're doing ๐Ÿ“’ ๐Ÿšซ

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

Makerlog Menubar - Log your tasks openly, faster than ever before! ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿšข

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat