Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS directprint.io

Compare SelfControl VS directprint.io 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.

directprint.io logo directprint.io

Printer management for Chromebooks & Windows.
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • directprint.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-06

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.

directprint.io features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    directprint.io offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies printer and print queue management, reducing the need for extensive IT support.
  • Cloud-Based Management
    Being a cloud-based solution, directprint.io allows administrators to manage printers and printing policies from any location, enhancing flexibility and control.
  • Cost-Effective
    The service eliminates the need for on-premise print servers, which can result in significant cost savings both in terms of hardware and maintenance.
  • Secure Printing
    Provides secure print release and encryption to ensure that sensitive documents are only accessible by authorized users.
  • Compatibility
    Compatible with a wide range of printers and supports various platforms including Windows, macOS, and Chromebooks, making it versatile.
  • Analytics
    Offers detailed reporting and analytics that help organizations monitor printing usage and optimize their print environment.

Possible disadvantages of directprint.io

  • Internet Dependence
    As a cloud-based service, directprint.io requires a stable internet connection, which can be a problem in areas with unreliable connectivity.
  • Subscription Costs
    While cost-effective in eliminating hardware, there are recurring subscription fees that may add up over time.
  • Learning Curve
    Though user-friendly, administrators and end-users may initially face a learning curve, particularly if they are accustomed to traditional print management solutions.
  • Limited Offline Functionality
    The reliance on cloud infrastructure means that offline functionality is limited, potentially causing disruptions during internet outages.
  • Customization Limitations
    May lack advanced customization options for specific organizational needs compared to on-premise, highly specialized print management solutions.

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 directprint.io

Overall verdict

  • Directprint.io is a strong choice for those seeking a robust, user-friendly print management solution with comprehensive support for multiple environments.

Why this product is good

  • Directprint.io is considered good because it simplifies the process of managing and deploying printer environments in organizations. It offers cloud-based print management solutions that are easy to set up, environmentally friendly with features to reduce paper and ink usage, and support various devices and platforms. It also provides detailed reporting and analytics, helping organizations optimize their printing processes.

Recommended for

  • Educational institutions seeking cost-effective print management.
  • Businesses aiming to streamline their print operations.
  • Organizations looking to reduce their environmental footprint through efficient print practices.
  • IT departments that require a scalable and easy-to-deploy solution.

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

directprint.io videos

An introduction to directprint.io

More videos:

  • Review - directprint.io - Adding a printer using QuickCodes
  • Review - Why directprint.io?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and directprint.io)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Printing
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Office & Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than directprint.io. 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 / 5 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 / 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 / 12 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

directprint.io mentions (14)

  • Managing printers in a AD Domain without Papercut - Best practices
    We just started using a system called directprint.io. I find it's integrations 10X better than papercut. It is easier to manage and doesn't require a print server. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is pure cloud printing a thing?
    We're testing directprint.io it seems pretty good. I'll have to look at Unflow. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Universal Print - How Can I Remove a Deployed Printer?
    I'm also now looking at directprint.io and Printer Logic. Source: over 3 years ago
  • If you had to pick one of the two for a 1:1 Chromebook environment with some classroom and office PCs, which would you pick? Iโ€™ve already ruled out PaperCut and Printerlogic.
    So far, I've demoed both directprint.io and Printix. I like the directprint.io interface and management options much better so far. I watched a demo video on setting up Printix and have a live demo with directprint.io this week. Their support has been great so far. Even as a demo user, I e-mailed them with a question, and they got back to me within a few hours. They're based in the UK so it's a 5 hour time... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Printerlogic for print management
    We currently have PaperCut, but I'd like to move away from on-prem printer management as well as print servers. I'm currently considering directprint.io which supports Windows, Mac and Chrome through Google authentication and is recommended/resold by Amplified IT since we're 1:1 Chromebook. Source: almost 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and directprint.io, 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!

Printix - Printix is a cloud-based print management platform.

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

ezeep - ezeep provides managed cloud printing solutions for educational institutes and SMB's.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

PrinterLogic - PrinterLogic is an enterprise print management software.