Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Purp VS SelfControl

Compare Purp VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Purp logo Purp

A smart to-do list and goal tracker app

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.
  • Purp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-04
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Purp features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Purp offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for users of all technical levels to navigate and use the application effectively.
  • Task Management
    The app provides robust task management features, such as to-do lists, reminders, and deadlines, helping users stay organized and productive.
  • Collaboration
    Purp supports team collaboration with features like shared task lists, comments, and notifications, fostering better communication and teamwork.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The application is available on multiple platforms, including web, iOS, and Android, allowing users to access their tasks and projects from anywhere.
  • Integrations
    Purp integrates with popular third-party services and tools, enhancing its functionality and allowing users to streamline their workflows.
  • Customizable Features
    The app offers various customization options, such as themes, labels, and customizable workflows, enabling users to tailor the experience to their specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of Purp

  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Purp has restricted features compared to the paid versions, which might be a limiting factor for users who are not willing to upgrade.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, some users might initially find the extensive feature set overwhelming, necessitating a learning period.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional performance issues, such as slow loading times and occasional glitches, particularly on mobile devices.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Purp requires a stable internet connection to sync data across devices, which can be a drawback for users who need offline access.
  • Notification Overload
    The app's frequent notification system can become overwhelming and distracting for users, especially in collaborative environments with many ongoing projects.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users may have concerns about data privacy and security, as with any cloud-based application, especially if sensitive information is being managed within the app.

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 Purp

Overall verdict

  • Purp is generally considered good by its users. It offers a range of features that cater to both individual and team-based productivity needs, making it a reliable choice for many.

Why this product is good

  • Purp (purpapp.com) is a popular platform known for its easy-to-use interface and powerful features designed to enhance productivity and time management. Users appreciate its intuitive design, customizable options, and integration capabilities with other productivity tools.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking to improve personal time management.
  • Teams needing collaborative tools for project management.
  • Users seeking integration with existing productivity tools.

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.

Purp videos

GRANDDADDY PURPLE STRAIN REVIEW!

More videos:

  • Review - Grand Daddy Purp ๐Ÿ‡๐ŸŒฟ(Cart Review)๐Ÿค“
  • Review - MENDO PURPS STRAIN REVIEW

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 Purp and SelfControl)
Productivity
43 43%
57% 57
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Task 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 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.

Purp mentions (0)

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

Taskful - Deadlines, meet your match.

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!

Streaky - Achieve daily goals and build your personal streak ๐Ÿ”ฅ

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

Gone - An ephemeral to-do list

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