Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Elementool

Compare SelfControl VS Elementool 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.
Project Management Software at Elementool. Your source for web based project management, business process management tools, process management tools and project management tools
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Elementool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-07

ย  www.elementool.comSoftware by Elementool

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.

Elementool features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Elementool provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which makes it accessible for users of varying technical expertise. This reduces the learning curve and allows for quicker onboarding.
  • Comprehensive Features
    Elementool offers a wide range of features including project management, bug tracking, and time tracking, which can accommodate the needs of different teams and projects within one platform.
  • Customization
    Users can customize various aspects of Elementool to better fit their workflows, such as creating custom reports and fields, enhancing the flexibility of the tool for different project requirements.
  • Cloud-Based Access
    Being a cloud-based solution, Elementool can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, which enhances collaboration among team members who might be working remotely or from different locations.
  • Integration Options
    Elementool offers integration capabilities with other tools and platforms, helping teams streamline workflows and improve productivity by connecting with existing systems.

Possible disadvantages of Elementool

  • Pricing Structure
    Some users might find Elementool's pricing model to be somewhat expensive compared to similar tools on the market, potentially limiting accessibility for smaller teams or startups with tight budgets.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Elementool covers the basics well, it may lack some advanced features or functionalities that are available in more specialized project management or bug tracking tools, which might be necessary for complex projects.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional performance issues, such as slow loading times, which could affect productivity, especially when working with larger projects or datasets.
  • Outdated User Interface
    While functional, the design of the user interface may appear somewhat outdated compared to modern tools, which could detract from the user experience for those who prioritize aesthetics.
  • Customer Support
    Feedback from users suggests that customer support can sometimes be slow to respond or may not fully resolve issues, which can be a drawback when timely assistance is needed.

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

Elementool videos

Elementool Bug and Issue Tracking

More videos:

  • Review - Elementool Issue Tracking Additional Message Boards

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Elementool)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Project Management
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Customer Support
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 / 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

Elementool mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Elementool, 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!

Jira - The #1 software development tool used by agile teams. Jira Software is built for every member of your software team to plan, track, and release great software.

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

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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

LeechBlock - LeechBlock is an extension for Firefox and Chrome that allows users to block time-wasting sites.