Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Real Dev VS SelfControl

Compare Real Dev VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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Real Dev logo Real Dev

Real-life coding skill challenge

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.
  • Real Dev Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-22
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Real Dev features and specs

  • Comprehensive Platform
    Real Dev offers a wide range of development tools and services under one platform, which can streamline workflow and reduce the need for multiple subscriptions.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform is designed with a focus on usability, making it accessible for developers with varying levels of experience.
  • Robust Community Support
    Real Dev has a strong community base that provides support, shares solutions, and contributes to the development of the platform.
  • Regular Updates
    The platform receives frequent updates, ensuring that users have access to the latest development tools and features.
  • Cross-Platform Integration
    Real Dev supports integration with multiple platforms and services, enhancing its versatility and appeal to developers working in diverse environments.

Possible disadvantages of Real Dev

  • Subscription Costs
    The comprehensive nature of the platform comes with subscription fees that might be considered high for individual developers or small teams.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users may face a steep learning curve due to the platform's wide array of features and tools.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users may experience performance lags or slow response times, particularly when using resource-intensive features.
  • Limited Offline Access
    Real Dev primarily operates online, which can be a drawback for users who require offline access to their development tools.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    Since it's a cloud-based service, users are heavily dependent on stable internet connectivity, which can be problematic in regions with unreliable internet.

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.

Real Dev 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 Real Dev and SelfControl)
Online Learning
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Hiring And Recruitment
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.

Real Dev mentions (0)

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

HackerRank - HackerRank is a platform that allows companies to conduct interviews remotely to hire developers and for technical assessment purposes.

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!

hackattic - No nonsense, real world programming challenges

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

Takehome - Effective and humane coding challenges for candidates

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat