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Pushbullet VS SelfControl

Compare Pushbullet VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Pushbullet

Pushbullet - Your devices working better together

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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InboxAgent
InboxAgent uses AI to read your shared mailboxes, like info@ and sales@, plus everyone's own inbox, on Microsoft 365, Gmail, Zoho Mail or IMAP. It finds the sales leads and gives each an owner on a board. Never sends from your mailbox. 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 should be more popular than Pushbullet. It has been mentioned 80 times since March 2021.

social mentions
11 vs 80
Push Notifications popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
180 vs 240+

Base details

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

Pushbullet
SelfControl
Website pushbullet.com selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Push Notifications Web Push Notifications File Explorer File Sharing +1
Productivity Time Management Focus Health And Fitness +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Pushbullet 6 features
SelfControl 4 features
  • Cross-Platform Synchronization
    Pushbullet allows seamless synchronization of notifications, messages, and files across multiple devices and platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and browser extensions.
  • Easy File Sharing
    Users can quickly share files, links, and notes between their devices without needing to use email or cloud storage services.
  • Universal Copy and Paste
    The app provides a universal copy and paste feature that enables users to copy text on one device and paste it on another.
  • Notification Mirroring
    Pushbullet mirrors notifications from a user's phone to their computer, ensuring that critical alerts are not missed.
  • SMS Messaging from Desktop
    Users can send SMS messages directly from their desktop computers using their phone number, making communication more convenient.
  • Secure and Private
    Pushbullet uses end-to-end encryption for secure data transfer, ensuring that user information remains private and secure.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Pushbullet comes with limitations, such as restrictions on the number of messages and file sizes, encouraging users to subscribe to the premium version.
  • Cost of Premium Features
    The premium subscription can be considered expensive by some users, especially when compared to other similar services that may offer more cost-effective options.
  • Occasional Connectivity Issues
    Some users have reported occasional connectivity issues, where devices fail to sync properly or notifications do not get mirrored consistently.
  • Potential Battery Drain
    Continuous synchronization and notification mirroring can lead to increased battery consumption on mobile devices.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Pushbullet relies heavily on internet connectivity, which means it may not function as intended in areas with poor or no internet access.
  • 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.

Pushbullet
SelfControl

Overall verdict

  • Pushbullet is generally considered a good tool for boosting productivity and device interoperability. It is well-suited for users who need a simple and effective way of managing notifications and want the ability to quickly transfer information across devices. That being said, the free version is somewhat limited in features compared to the Pro version, which could be a drawback for some users.

Why this product is good

  • Pushbullet is a popular application that connects your devices, allowing for seamless sharing of notifications, links, files, and more. It enhances productivity by enabling users to interact with their phone’s notifications directly from a computer, and vice versa. This cross-device connectivity is particularly useful for users who frequently switch between different platforms throughout their workday. Furthermore, Pushbullet offers features such as universal copy and paste, and the ability to send messages from your computer using your phone's SMS service.

Recommended for

    Pushbullet is recommended for individuals who frequently use multiple devices such as a smartphone, tablet, and laptop or desktop computer, and want a convenient way to keep their workflow seamless and integrated. It's especially useful for professionals who require constant connectivity and want to reduce the friction of switching between devices.

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.

Pushbullet 2 videos + Add
SelfControl 2 videos + Add

Pushbullet – Must Have App Review

More videos

  • - Pushbullet - Connecting ALL Your Connected Devices

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
Pushbullet
SelfControl
100% 100%
Push Notifications
0% 0%
0% 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100%
100% 100%
Web Push Notifications
0% 0%
28% 28%
Productivity
72% 72%

User comments

Share your experience with using Pushbullet 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.

Pushbullet 11 mentions
SelfControl 80 mentions
  • pushbullet website
    I can't access anymore the pushbullet.com from my computer. I tried with chrome, firefox. Source: over 3 years ago
  • A couple questions about the Firefox extension
    Ah I see. Opening a tab isn't a problem, it's just that it opens pushbullet.com instead of https://www.pushbullet.com/#devices to see the text directly. I came up with a workaround with the "Redirector" extension that replaces the url. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Not running on PC?
    Same issue. I have uninstalled (Revo) and installed 5 times and still can't get Pushbullet to work. Now it seems I have to got to pushbullet.com to read and send SMS, instead of doing it local on my PC with Windows 10. Seems to have... Source: over 3 years ago

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  • 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 / about 22 hours 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 Pushbullet and SelfControl

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

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