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SelfControl VS ActiveWords

Compare SelfControl VS ActiveWords and see what are their differences

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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Alternatives Is it good?
ActiveWords

Auto correct on steroids

Rating
0 reviews
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Alternatives Is it good?
ZeroTwo AI
ZeroTwo is a premium multi-provider AI platform which combines the tools models and features of Claude, Gemini, Grok, Openai and more into one. Canvas, Deep Research, MCP, Connectors, Agents, Projects and even Apps are all available in one place! 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 seems to be a lot more popular than ActiveWords. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 1 mention of ActiveWords.

social mentions
79 vs 1
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 19

Base details

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

SelfControl
ActiveWords
Website selfcontrolapp.com activewords.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in
Productivity Time Management Focus Health And Fitness +1
Grammar Checker Spell Checker English Languages +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features
ActiveWords 4 features
  • 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.
  • Efficiency
    ActiveWords increases productivity by allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and replace full words, phrases, or commands with short, easy-to-type abbreviations.
  • Customization
    The software is highly customizable, enabling users to set up personalized shortcuts and triggers that suit their specific workflows and preferences.
  • Integration
    ActiveWords integrates well with a variety of applications and tools, allowing users to streamline interactions across different platforms.
  • Ease of Use
    With a user-friendly interface, ActiveWords is accessible to both beginners and advanced users, making it easy to set up and manage shortcuts.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    While the software is designed to be user-friendly, there is still a learning curve involved in setting up and memorizing shortcuts, particularly for new users.
  • Resource Consumption
    Running ActiveWords continuously in the background might consume system resources, which could be an issue on less powerful machines.
  • Cost
    As a paid software, it might not be ideal for users looking for free alternatives or those who have limited software budgets.
  • Limited Platform Support
    ActiveWords primarily supports Windows operating systems, which may be a limitation for users who need cross-platform compatibility.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

SelfControl
ActiveWords

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.

No analysis of ActiveWords yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add
ActiveWords 1 video + Add

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

ActiveWords

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
SelfControl
ActiveWords
100% 100%
Time Tracking
0% 0%
0% 0%
Grammar Checker
100% 100%
100% 100%
Productivity
0% 0%
0% 0%
Design Tools
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and ActiveWords. 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.

SelfControl 79 mentions
ActiveWords 1 mention

View more

  • What are your apps ,tools, Chrome extensions, programmes, general habits and other productivity applications that help you work faster and be more productive in your day-to-day job to cut down time and improve your efficiency to work
    Https://activewords.com/ (for PC) a couple of key presses and I'm in the document, folder, app that I need. It's incredible when you get where you need to be without even thinking about it. Source: about 5 years ago

Alternatives to SelfControl and ActiveWords

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

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