Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PythonAnywhere VS ControlD

Compare PythonAnywhere VS ControlD and see what are their differences

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PythonAnywhere logo PythonAnywhere

Host, run, and code Python in the cloud: PythonAnywhere

ControlD logo ControlD

Bypass geo-restrictions, block tracking, and be more productive.
  • PythonAnywhere Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • ControlD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-06

PythonAnywhere features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    PythonAnywhere provides a user-friendly interface with pre-configured settings, which makes it simple for beginners to deploy and manage Python applications without the need to manage server infrastructure.
  • Integrated Development Environment
    It includes an in-browser code editor and Python console, making it convenient to edit and run code on the go without needing to install any software locally.
  • Affordable Pricing
    Offers various pricing tiers, including a free tier, which is very attractive for small projects, prototypes, and learning purposes.
  • Scalability
    Offers options to scale applications as needed, making it suitable for growing projects that may require additional resources over time.
  • Built-in Python Libraries
    Comes pre-installed with many common Python libraries and frameworks, saving users the time and effort of setting up dependencies.
  • Built-in MySQL Support
    Provides built-in support for MySQL databases, making it straightforward to set up and manage databases for your applications.
  • Automated Backups
    Includes automated backup features to help secure your data and provide peace of mind.

Possible disadvantages of PythonAnywhere

  • Limited Customization
    The pre-configured environment limits customization options, which may be a drawback for more advanced users who require specific configurations or installations.
  • Free Tier Limitations
    The free tier has significant limitations, including restricted CPU time and storage space, which can hinder more demanding applications.
  • Performance
    Shared plans might experience slower performance during peak times due to the shared nature of the infrastructure.
  • Lack of Root Access
    Users do not have root access to the underlying system, which can be a limitation for deploying certain types of applications or custom services.
  • Support Limitations
    While it offers community support and documentation, the level of professional support might not meet the needs of all users, especially those on lower-tier plans.
  • Limited Language Support
    Primarily focused on Python, which may not suit all projects, especially those requiring multi-language support.
  • Resource Constraints
    Lower-tier plans have stringent resource limits (CPU, RAM, storage), which can be restrictive for resource-intensive applications.

ControlD features and specs

  • Privacy Protection
    ControlD provides privacy-focused DNS services, protecting users from tracking and surveillance.
  • Customizable Filtering
    Users can customize filtering rules, blocking ads, trackers, and malicious sites according to their preferences.
  • Performance Improvement
    Using ControlD can potentially speed up browsing by blocking ads and trackers, reducing unnecessary data loads.
  • Ease of Use
    The service is user-friendly, allowing even less tech-savvy individuals to easily set up and configure DNS settings.
  • Multiple Profiles
    Supports multiple profiles, enabling users to switch between different filtering and privacy settings based on their needs.

Possible disadvantages of ControlD

  • Subscription Cost
    While ControlD offers free options, advanced features and customization require a paid subscription.
  • Dependency on External Service
    Relying on an external DNS service can be a risk if there are service outages or changes in policies.
  • Potential Overblocking
    Aggressive filtering might inadvertently block legitimate content, requiring users to whitelist specific sites.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendliness, some users may still face a learning curve when setting up custom filters and understanding DNS settings.
  • Performance Variability
    The speed and reliability of the service can vary depending on the user's location and network conditions.

Analysis of PythonAnywhere

Overall verdict

  • Overall, PythonAnywhere is considered a good option for those seeking a reliable, straightforward, and affordable way to host Python applications. While it might not cater to the needs of very large scale or highly customizable environments, it is well-suited for personal projects, small to medium-sized applications, and educational purposes.

Why this product is good

  • PythonAnywhere is a popular choice for hosting Python applications because it offers a convenient and user-friendly platform for both beginners and experienced developers. Its cloud-based service allows for easy deployment and execution of Python scripts without the need to manage physical servers. The platform supports web development frameworks like Flask and Django, provides a variety of integrations and is equipped with a web-based interactive console, which makes it highly accessible for many users.

Recommended for

    PythonAnywhere is especially recommended for Python developers (beginners and intermediates), educators, students, and hobbyists who are looking for an easy and quick way to deploy and host their Python applications or who need an online python environment for coding practice.

Analysis of ControlD

Overall verdict

  • ControlD is a strong choice for users seeking enhanced privacy, security, and control over their internet usage. Its customizable features and reliable performance make it a commendable option for both tech-savvy users and those new to controlling their online experience.

Why this product is good

  • ControlD is considered good due to its robust privacy features, customizable filtering options, and the ability to block ads and trackers effectively. It provides DNS services that can enhance browsing security and privacy, offering users control over their internet experience. The service gives users the flexibility to configure DNS settings according to their needs, such as blocking specific content categories and bypassing geo-restrictions.

Recommended for

    ControlD is recommended for individuals who prioritize online privacy and security, families wanting to manage internet content access, and users who are interested in ad-blocking features. It is also suitable for those who wish to bypass geo-blocks to access content from different regions.

PythonAnywhere videos

Python Anywhere with pythonanywhere - Simplified Python VPS hosting

More videos:

  • Review - Deploy Python Flask App on Pythonanywhere.com
  • Review - PythonAnywhere in one minute

ControlD videos

No ControlD videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PythonAnywhere and ControlD)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0
DNS
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ControlD should be more popular than PythonAnywhere. It has been mentiond 94 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.

PythonAnywhere mentions (55)

  • [Offer] I need someone to set up a webhook in my WordPress site and a Python server with listener + bot
    The website is already built. Each comment will have a reddit post URL, and the bot should leave a comment on that URL. We can use pythonanywhere.com for this to make it easiest. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Flask and web hosting
    If you are learning, use pythonanywhere.com as they specialize in python, and make setup easy. Only $5 a month. Start with a barebones flask app, get it to run, then follow a tutorial. Actually better to build the app locally, easier to test with IDE like Pycharm. Then upload to the net. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Redirecting client to my server via a external server
    Hello, I have a Minecraft server running on a Rpi with Paper. It works great and I use it to play with some of my friends. However, the server's public IP address often changes, meaning that I have to give my friends the new IP address daily. Being a programmer, I feel this could be automated. I don't want to buy a domain, so I want to try and setup a system where the server sends Its IP to my PythonAnywhere... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Question Gallery WebApp Django or Flask?
    Hosting wise, I would reccomend pythonanywhere.com, combined with either https://imagekit.io or https://cloudinary.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Cheap Heroku alternative for PHP MySQL app
    So what is the best alternative? I have one Plotly Dash app on pythonanywhere.com where I spend 6 bucks a month so I don't want to spend anymore than 5 dollars per month on the PHP + MySQL. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

ControlD mentions (94)

  • Best device for a kid to learn how to code?
    Thinkpad 431s if you are on a low budget. It's the best performing cheap option, IMO. Obviously block access to internet nonsense. I just started using ControlD.com and it works like a charm. Or, if you have the time, make the PiHole and your Home Lab & Network Lab a project that you two build together. Make the command line kid friendly, like using bat instead of cat and LSD instead of ls and so on. Colors are... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Which tools are the best for internet safety for kids?
    I've tried hosted Pi-Hole and AdGuard Home. They are good as long as I'm around to fix stuffs. Then I tested something which can be global (home) and also for individual devices -- Control-D, NextDNS, and Adguard DNS. All of them works pretty well. If I really have to choose, then it would be in the order of NextDNS > Control-D > AdGuard DNS. Affiliated with none, and have decided to subscribe to all three to... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Runs on your OpenWrt box: AdGuard Home is network-wide blocking ads and tracking
    I used Pi-Hole, then went to NextDNS, then to AdGuard DNS, tinkered with AdGuard Home, and currently testing Control-D. They are all actually pretty good, similar features, and it has become just a matter of personal choice. In all fairness, when I have some time and can invest in decent hardwares, I might go back to AdGuard Home with one of the paid services as backup for travel, and when for the other family... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Runs on your OpenWrt box: AdGuard Home is network-wide blocking ads and tracking
    I've used ControlD [https://controld.com/] for this and liked it. Does anyone know how NextDNS compares to it? ControlD has worked well for me, outside a few UI complaints I have with their site. I do have some concerns with trust as I don't know much about ControlD, and I'd rather use the most trusted service for this. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Firefox and ads on iOS
    Firefox is my daily in macOS, iOS and Windows. It is great and I love the syncing. The #1 companion on the desktop is uBlock Origin but on iOS I really miss an adblocker. As a workaround I block adds via DNS with Control D (https://controld.com/) but I prefer an extension on the phone. The Firefox Focus app on iOS does not sync with my Firefox account so that's not an option either. Sure, I could use a different... Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PythonAnywhere and ControlD, you can also consider the following products

Heroku - Agile deployment platform for Ruby, Node.js, Clojure, Java, Python, and Scala. Setup takes only minutes and deploys are instant through git. Leave tedious server maintenance to Heroku and focus on your code.

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

Google App Engine - A powerful platform to build web and mobile apps that scale automatically.

RethinkDNS - 2B+ Android users deserve access to a safer and open Internet.

DigitalOcean - Simplifying cloud hosting. Deploy an SSD cloud server in 55 seconds.

Pi-hole - Pi-hole is a multi-platform, network-wide ad blocker.