Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Ark

Compare SelfControl VS Ark 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.

Ark logo Ark

Ark is a program for managing various archive formats within the KDE environment.
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Ark Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-27

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.

Ark features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Ark provides a simple and intuitive graphical interface that makes it easy for users to manage archives without needing extensive technical knowledge.
  • Wide Format Support
    Ark supports a variety of archive formats, including common ones like ZIP, TAR, and RAR, as well as less common formats, increasing its versatility for different user needs.
  • Integration with KDE
    Being part of the KDE suite, Ark integrates well with other KDE applications and desktop environments, offering a seamless user experience for KDE users.
  • Open Source
    Ark is open-source software, allowing users to review, modify, and contribute to its codebase, promoting a community-driven approach to software development.
  • Batch Processing
    Ark can handle multiple archives simultaneously, which is convenient for users who need to manage several files at once.

Possible disadvantages of Ark

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Ark is great for basic archive management, it lacks some of the advanced features found in other more specialized archival tools.
  • Performance Issues with Large Archives
    Users have reported performance slowdowns when working with very large archives, which might not be ideal for users needing to process big data files.
  • Dependency on KDE Libraries
    Ark relies heavily on KDE libraries, which might lead to compatibility issues or increased dependencies for users not using a KDE environment.
  • Less Customization
    Compared to some other archiving tools, Ark offers fewer customization options for users who want to tailor their archiving settings.
  • Limited Command-Line Features
    For users who prefer using the command line, Ark's CLI capabilities are not as robust as dedicated command-line archiving tools.

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.

Analysis of Ark

Overall verdict

  • Ark is a reliable and efficient archive manager, particularly suitable for users within the KDE environment. Its ease of use and strong integration with common Linux workflows make it a highly recommended choice for handling compressed files.

Why this product is good

  • Ark is a versatile archive manager for the KDE desktop environment, known for its user-friendly interface and broad format support. It allows users to both create and extract compressed files in numerous formats such as ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZ, BZ2, and more. The simplicity and efficiency in handling archives make it a convenient tool for managing compressed files without requiring extensive technical knowledge. Additionally, Ark integrates well with the KDE Plasma desktop, offering seamless functionality within the Linux ecosystem. Its open-source nature ensures constant updates and community support, contributing to its reliability and security.

Recommended for

    Ark is ideal for KDE users who need a straightforward tool for managing a wide range of archive formats. It's also suitable for Linux users in general who prefer open-source software with good community support. Those who frequently work with compressed files, whether for storage savings or data transfer, will find Ark an excellent utility in their toolkit.

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Ark videos

Is ARK: Survival Evolved worth buying in 2020? An honest review.

More videos:

  • Review - ARK: Survival Evolved Review
  • Review - ARK: Survival Evolved - Before You Buy

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Ark)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Marketing Platform
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
B2B SaaS
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.

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
View more

Ark mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Ark yet. Tracking of Ark recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Ark, 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!

Design Pickle - Unlimited graphic design services for flat monthly fee

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

Aesop - Discover distinctive names that tell meaningful stories.

Focus App - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.

Salted Stone - Digital agency providing end-to-end marketing, sales, support, & customer success services. Award Winners, HubSpot Diamond-tier Partners, Digital Growth Accelerators.