Software Alternatives & Startups

SelfControl VS Brew Timer

Compare SelfControl VS Brew Timer 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.

Brew Timer logo Brew Timer

Your Coffee Companion.
  • 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.

Brew Timer features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Brew Timer offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and use the app without any hassle.
  • Customizable Timers
    The app allows users to create and customize timers to suit different brewing methods and preferences, offering flexibility and control over the brewing process.
  • Notification Alerts
    Brew Timer provides timely notifications to alert users when their brew is ready, ensuring optimal brewing times are adhered to without constant monitoring.
  • Brewing Method Support
    It supports various brewing methods, including French press, Aeropress, and pour-over, making it versatile for coffee enthusiasts with different preferences.
  • Minimalist Design
    The minimalist design focuses on core functionalities, avoiding clutter and making it appealing for users who prefer a straightforward app experience.

Possible disadvantages of Brew Timer

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some other coffee timer apps, Brew Timer may lack advanced features such as detailed coffee logging or integration with smart devices.
  • Platform Availability
    The app may not be available on all platforms, limiting access for users who use unsupported operating systems or devices.
  • No Built-in Recipes
    Brew Timer might not include built-in recipes or suggested ratios, requiring users to know their preferred brewing measurements beforehand.
  • Dependency on Manual Input
    Users may need to input and adjust settings manually for each brewing session, which could be inconvenient for those seeking a more automated experience.

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 Brew Timer

Overall verdict

  • Brew Timer is a well-designed, focused tool that helps coffee enthusiasts achieve consistent, high-quality brews by guiding them through precise timing and technique for various brewing methods.

Why this product is good

  • Provides step-by-step guided timers tailored to specific brewing methods like pour-over, French press, and AeroPress
  • Helps improve consistency and repeatability in your coffee brewing routine
  • Simple, clean interface that's easy to use even for beginners
  • Encourages better technique through timed pours and steps, leading to improved extraction and flavor
  • Useful for dialing in and refining recipes over time

Recommended for

  • Home coffee enthusiasts wanting more consistent results
  • Beginners learning proper brewing techniques and timing
  • Pour-over, French press, and AeroPress users
  • Anyone looking to refine and perfect their coffee recipes
  • Specialty coffee hobbyists who value precision

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Brew Timer videos

No Brew Timer videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Brew Timer)
Time Tracking
94 94%
6% 6
Health And Fitness
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

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 / 6 months ago
  • Kiki – The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted
    Happy to see it still exists, and free https://selfcontrolapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 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 / about 1 year 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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Brew Timer mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Brew Timer yet. Tracking of Brew Timer recommendations started around Jun 2025.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Brew Timer, 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!

Caffeine - Coffee Calculator - Caffeine is a utility for coffee enthusiasts. Its sole purpose is to calculate the extraction ratio of a coffee.

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

Cofi brew timer - A free and open brew timer

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

Doppio.sh - From HTML to PDF or PNG with the world leading rendering technology