Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Dropzone

Compare SelfControl VS Dropzone 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.

Dropzone logo Dropzone

If you want your file uploads to work even without JavaScript, you can include an element with the class fallback that dropzone will remove if the browser is supported.
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Dropzone Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12

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.

Dropzone features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Dropzone offers a simple and intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for users to perform common tasks, such as sharing files, uploading content, and more.
  • Integration
    It integrates well with various applications and services, allowing users to perform actions like sharing via email, social media, and cloud services straight from the app.
  • Automation
    Dropzone allows for automation of repetitive tasks through custom actions, saving users time and effort.
  • Customization
    The app provides extensive customization options, including the ability to create custom scripts and actions to tailor the tool to specific workflows.
  • Efficiency
    It streamlines file management and sharing processes, making it quicker and more efficient to move files between different locations and applications.
  • Compatibility
    Dropzone is compatible with a range of operating systems and integrates with macOS features, enhancing its usability on Apple devices.

Possible disadvantages of Dropzone

  • Price
    Dropzone is a paid application, which might be a barrier for users looking for a free alternative or those with limited budget.
  • Learning Curve
    While the app is generally user-friendly, users may still face a learning curve when setting up and customizing advanced features and automations.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Dropzone has limited functionality, which may not fully demonstrate the app's capabilities without a premium purchase.
  • System Resources
    Running Dropzone can consume system resources, potentially affecting the performance of older or less powerful devices.
  • Feature Overlap
    Many of Dropzone's functions overlap with native macOS features and other third-party applications, which might make it redundant for some users.
  • Dependency on MacOS
    Dropzone focuses on macOS, limiting its use for users who work across different operating systems like Windows or Linux.

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.

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Dropzone videos

Dropzone Review: My Initial Impressions!

More videos:

  • Review - Dropzone Review - Zerbraxi

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Dropzone)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
File Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and Dropzone. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than Dropzone. 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

Dropzone mentions (9)

  • Ask HN: What macOS apps/programs do you use daily and recommend?
    MicDrop - Add a global "mute microphone" button in the status bar (https://getmicdrop.com/) AltTab - Give the same (sane) behaviour to cmd+tab as alt+tab on Windows (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/) Rectangle - Window snapping (https://rectangleapp.com/) Maccy - A clipboard history manager (https://maccy.app/) DropZone - Add a "shelf" zone in the same way as Dropover. It's less good than Dropover, but it's... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Sharing My Wordle Workflow (No Spoilers)
    The tools I use: Arc Browser - Nothing special here, I am just enjoying this browser right now. Dropzone - Used to automate the screenshots iScreenshoter - My screenshot app of choice even though the misspelling gives me hives. Dataview Plugin Templater Plugin Quick Add Plugin. Source: about 3 years ago
  • My Installed App as Developer
    Another app that I installed is Dropzone. I used Dropzone to easily copy and move files. Itโ€™s free and easy to use. - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago
  • software simliar to dropzone
    I'm looking for a Windows program similar to Dropzone that allows me to drag and drop files and upload them directly to sites like Imgur and WeTransfer. Source: over 3 years ago
  • A good alternative to Path Finder?
    If you like pathfinder stacks, check out Dropzone by Aptonic. Really nice menubar app that activates when you select and drag files. I found it to be way more useful than Pathfinder's stacks. Source: over 4 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Dropzone, 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!

File Juggler - File Juggler is a Windows utility for automatic file management.

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

Limagito FileMover - Limagito file mover software is used for automatic moving of files.

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

Organize - The file management automation software.