Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Better Notes

Compare SelfControl VS Better Notes and see what are their differences

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.

Better Notes logo Better Notes

Simple notes app that ties notes together with #hashtags
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
Not present

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.

Better Notes features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Better Notes offers a clean and intuitive interface, which makes it easy for users to navigate and organize their notes efficiently.
  • Customization Options
    The app provides various customization options, such as themes, fonts, and color schemes, allowing users to tailor their note-taking experience to their personal preferences.
  • Cross-Platform Syncing
    Better Notes supports cross-platform syncing, enabling users to access their notes on multiple devices seamlessly.
  • Collaboration Features
    The app includes collaboration features that allow multiple users to edit and share notes in real-time, enhancing productivity for team projects.
  • Robust Organization Tools
    Users can categorize and tag their notes, making it easier to search and retrieve information quickly.

Possible disadvantages of Better Notes

  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Better Notes offers limited features and storage, which may not be sufficient for heavy users.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    While offline functionality is available, the best experience often relies on a stable internet connection, especially for syncing and collaboration features.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Some users might find the advanced features and customization options overwhelming at first, requiring time to learn and take full advantage of all the capabilities.
  • Subscription Cost
    The premium version of Better Notes comes with a subscription fee that might be considered expensive for some users, especially when compared to other note-taking apps.
  • Privacy Concerns
    There may be privacy concerns for users who are wary about storing their personal notes and information on cloud servers managed by a third party.

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 Better Notes

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Better Notes is a solid choice for those looking for a straightforward and effective note-taking application. Its simplicity and ease of use make it an attractive option for users who prioritize functionality over flashy features.

Why this product is good

  • Better Notes is favored for its minimalist design, which allows users to focus on their notes without unnecessary distractions. It offers features such as folders, tags, and quick access to recent notes, making it efficient for organization. Additionally, its support for cloud synchronization ensures that your notes are accessible across multiple devices.

Recommended for

  • Students who need a simple and effective way to organize notes by subject or topic.
  • Professionals looking for a tool that allows for quick note-taking during meetings or conferences.
  • Individuals who prefer a clean and distraction-free interface for jotting down daily thoughts or to-do lists.

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Better Notes videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Better Notes)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
49 49%
51% 51
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
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

Better Notes mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Better Notes, 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!

Whimsical - The visual workspace for teams.

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

Notion - All-in-one workspace. One tool for your whole team. Write, plan, and get organized.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

Startup Notes - Most actionable advice from each Startup School speaker