Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS 2FAS

Compare SelfControl VS 2FAS 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.

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.

2FAS logo 2FAS

Simple 2FA Authenticator - Generate Two Factor Authentication tokens.
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • 2FAS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-07

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.

2FAS features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    2FA Authenticator adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your accounts.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application features a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to add and manage their accounts and authentication tokens.
  • Offline Access
    2FA Authenticator works offline, allowing users to generate authentication codes without an Internet connection, which is particularly useful in low-connectivity situations.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The app is available on multiple platforms, enabling users to sync their accounts and access their authentication codes from various devices.

Possible disadvantages of 2FAS

  • Device Dependency
    Losing access to the device with the 2FA Authenticator can lock users out of accounts, necessitating backup strategies like printing codes.
  • Potential for Misconfiguration
    If not set up correctly, there is a risk of misconfiguration that can lead to being locked out of accounts or decreased security.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    For some users, the initial setup and configuration of two-factor authentication might be confusing or time-consuming.
  • Limited Recovery Options
    In cases where users lose their authentication device, recovery options might be limited, causing potential inconvenience or the need for support.

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.

SelfControl videos

How to block websites that distract you ? Selfcontrol [Mac App review and tutorial]

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

2FAS videos

Do you really need 2FA?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and 2FAS)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Password Management
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Identity And Access Management

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SelfControl and 2FAS

SelfControl Reviews

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2FAS Reviews

The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
This simple but fully functional app does everything you want in an authenticator. It lets you add online accounts either manually or with a QR code. Unlike Google Authenticator, it can create cloud backups of your registered accounts, either in iCloud for Apple devices or Google Drive for Androids, which is critical if you lose your phone or get a new one. The backup is...
Source: www.pcmag.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than 2FAS. 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.

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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2FAS mentions (33)

  • Playing with more user-friendly methods for multi-factor authentication
    FWIW 2FAS starts to show you the next code near the end of the window, this is very handy https://2fas.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Bitwarden Authenticator
    I personally switched to using 2FAS[0]. My favorite feature is that it comes with a browser extension that can automatically fill in the OTP on web forms, after approving the request on the phone app. [0] https://2fas.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: AWS registering MFA will be required in 29 days
    I'd go with number 2 unless you want to buy everyone a hardware token (option number 3). There are open source solutions (I've used https://2fas.com/ ) and very common solutions (Google Authenticator). You can even print out the QR code and put it in a secure location (safe, safe deposit box) as a break-glass in case everyone's phones cease functioning. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Flaw has Microsoft Authenticator overwriting MFA accounts, locking users out
    Try 2FAS - it works without an cloud account, can import from few other apps (sadly not from Microsoft one) and can export from and import to a file. Works on Android and iOS https://2fas.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Ente Auth: open-source Authy alternative for 2FA
    My hunt for an open source Authy took me to 2FAS, which has been fine. Any opinions on this offering? 2FAS โ€” the Internetโ€™s favorite open-source two-factor authenticator https://2fas.com. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and 2FAS, you can also consider the following products

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!

Aegis Authenticator - Aegis Authenticator is a free, secure and open source app to manage your 2-step verification tokens...

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

andOTP - andOTP is a two-factor authentication App for Android 4.4+

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

OTP Auth - The app for calculating one-time-passwords on iPhone and iPad.