Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Five

Compare SelfControl VS Five 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.

Five logo Five

edtech, education, parenting, learning, AI
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Five Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09

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.

Five features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Five offers a clean and simple interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and utilize the app's features without a steep learning curve.
  • Seamless Integration
    The app integrates smoothly with various other applications and platforms, which enhances its functionality and allows users to streamline their workflows.
  • Customizable Features
    Five includes options for customization, enabling users to tailor the app according to their specific preferences and needs, enhancing their overall experience.
  • Robust Security
    The app prioritizes security, incorporating strong encryption and privacy measures to protect user data effectively.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    It is available on multiple platforms, allowing users to access their data and use the app across different devices seamlessly.

Possible disadvantages of Five

  • Limited Offline Access
    Five requires an internet connection for most of its features, limiting its usability in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Subscription Costs
    The app might require a subscription for full access to all features, which can be a disadvantage for users looking for free solutions.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, some of the more advanced features may require time and effort to learn and implement effectively.
  • Occasional Bugs and Glitches
    Users have reported occasional bugs and glitches that can interrupt the user experience and require updates or workarounds.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Some users have noted that customer support can be slow or lacks comprehensive assistance, which can be frustrating when issues arise.

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

Five videos

How to Play Five Crowns (3 Minute Tutorial & Review)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Five)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
94 94%
6% 6
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Education
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and Five. 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 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

Five mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Five yet. Tracking of Five recommendations started around Sep 2023.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Five, 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!

Vibes - Vibes is a mobile engagement platform enabling marketers to deliver profitable mobile engagement conversations.

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

Be Nice! - Use Alexa to remind your kids to be polite

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

Macro Shortcuts for Chrome - Enable powerful website-specific custom shortcuts