SelfControl VS iDisplay

Compare SelfControl VS iDisplay and see what are their differences

Rating: 0 reviews
Pricing: Open source

Rating: 0 reviews

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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.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than iDisplay. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 1 mention of iDisplay.

social mentions: 79 vs 1
Time Tracking popularity: 100% vs 0%
alternatives listed: 171 vs 88

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

	SelfControl	iDisplay
Website	selfcontrolapp.com	getidisplay.com
Pricing	Open source	—
Listed in	Productivity Time Management Websites Blocker Time Tracking +1	Remote Desktop Remote PC Access Multi Monitor Screen Mirroring +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features

iDisplay 5 features

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

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.

Extended Display
iDisplay allows users to extend their primary screen to secondary devices, such as tablets or smartphones, providing more real estate for multitasking.
Compatibility
The application is compatible with both macOS and Windows operating systems, making it versatile for different users.
Portability
By turning a tablet or smartphone into an extra monitor, users can have a portable multi-screen setup, useful for presentations and on-the-go tasks.
Touch Input Support
iDisplay allows the secondary device to utilize touch input, enabling interactive tasks that can be more intuitive on touch-enabled devices.
Ease of Use
The application offers a simple setup process and user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy.

Possible disadvantages

Performance
Some users have reported performance issues such as lag and latency, especially when using the software over Wi-Fi connections.
Stability
The application may sometimes crash or disconnect, leading to interruptions in workflow and requiring frequent reconnections.
Battery Drain
Using a smartphone or tablet as an extended display can drain its battery quickly, necessitating frequent recharging.
Cost
While iDisplay offers a range of useful features, it is not a free app. Users have to purchase it, which can be a con for those looking for a no-cost solution.
Limited Platform Compatibility
The application predominantly supports iOS and Android devices for the extended display, potentially excluding users on other platforms.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

SelfControl

iDisplay

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.

Overall verdict

Overall, iDisplay is well-regarded for its straightforward installation process and reliable performance. However, some users report issues with lag or connection stability, which may vary depending on the hardware and network configuration. It is a practical solution for those in need of additional screen space without investing in more hardware.

Why this product is good

iDisplay is a software solution that allows users to extend their computer screen to multiple devices, usually tablets or smartphones. It provides flexibility and enhances productivity by turning these devices into additional monitors. The software is particularly useful for people who need multiple screens for multitasking but have space or hardware constraints.

Recommended for

iDisplay is recommended for remote workers, graphic designers, developers, and anyone who benefits from increased screen real estate. It's especially useful for those who travel frequently or work in environments where setting up multiple traditional monitors is impractical.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add

iDisplay 2 videos + Add

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

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100

SelfControl

iDisplay

100% 100%

0% 0%

100% 100%

0% 0%

100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and iDisplay. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

SelfControl no reviews yet

iDisplay no reviews yet

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet. Be the first one to post

Top 10 Duet Display Alternatives (Free and Paid) Reviewed | 2022
mediapeanut.com · Nov 2022

As with most of the apps on our list, iDisplay streams video at 60 frames per second. Another feature of iDisplay is that it supports multitouch on all devices. Also, iDisplay lets you connect more than one device to...
Top 6 Best Spacedesk Alternatives for Duet Display
itechhacks.com · Oct 2022

Using iDisplay, you can convert your Android device or your iPad into an extended screen for your primary PC. It supports wired as well as a wireless connection for up to three screens at once.
7 Of The Best Spacedesk Alternatives For Multi-Monitor Work
technicalustad.com · May 2020

Looking for a touch screen display window than iDisplay is your tool. It converts the iPad and iPhone to a second touch screen display. It can instantly turn your iPad device for the multi-screen show, which is...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

SelfControl 79 mentions

iDisplay 1 mention

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 / 7 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 / 8 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

Can I use my ipad as a third screen over a USB cable?
I have done some research and found iDisplay. However that only works for windows, macOS and android and I dont think it would work over wine. Source: about 3 years ago

Alternatives to SelfControl and iDisplay

When comparing SelfControl and iDisplay, 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!

Compare Cold Turkey to SelfControl or iDisplay:

Cold Turkey vs SelfControl Cold Turkey vs iDisplay
Duet Display
With Duet Display, you can transform your iPhone or iPad into a second display to expand the screen space of your PC or Mac system.

Compare Duet Display to SelfControl or iDisplay:

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

Compare Freedom.to to SelfControl or iDisplay:

Freedom.to vs SelfControl Freedom.to vs iDisplay
Air Display
Air Display allows extra screens to extend the display size of a Mac desktop. The company behind the product is Avatron Software, which was founded in 2008. Read more about Air Display.

Compare Air Display to SelfControl or iDisplay:

Air Display vs SelfControl Air Display vs iDisplay
FocusMe
The website blocker you can't cheat

Compare FocusMe to SelfControl or iDisplay:

FocusMe vs SelfControl FocusMe vs iDisplay
spacedesk
spacedesk expands the Windows desktop computer screen to other computers over the local area...

Compare spacedesk to SelfControl or iDisplay:

spacedesk vs SelfControl spacedesk vs iDisplay