Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Joy

Compare SelfControl VS Joy and see what are their differences

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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.

Joy logo Joy

Spend Happier & Build Your Savings
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Joy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25

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.

Joy features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Joy offers an easy-to-navigate and aesthetically pleasing interface that allows users to create and manage wedding websites with minimal effort.
  • Comprehensive Features
    The platform includes a wide range of features such as RSVP management, guest list organization, photo sharing, and wedding registry integration.
  • Customization Options
    Joy provides extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor their wedding website to match their theme and preferences.
  • Free Service
    Joy offers a majority of its services for free, making it an economical choice for couples looking to manage their wedding details online.
  • Guest Experience
    Guests can easily interact with the wedding site, RSVP quickly, and stay informed about all wedding-related events and updates.
  • Mobile App
    Joy has a mobile app that ensures users can manage their wedding details and communicate with guests on-the-go.

Possible disadvantages of Joy

  • Limited Custom URL
    Joy only offers custom URLs as a paid feature, which may be a downside for those who prefer personalized web addresses for free.
  • Complexity for Non-Tech Savvy Users
    Despite its user-friendly interface, some of the advanced features and customization options may be overwhelming for users who aren't tech-savvy.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Users need a stable internet connection to access and manage their Joy wedding website, which can be inconvenient in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Feature Overload
    Some users may find the extensive features overwhelming, especially if they are looking for a simple solution to manage their wedding details.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    As with any online service, there are concerns regarding the privacy and security of user data, especially given the sensitive information involved in wedding planning.

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 Joy

Overall verdict

  • Joy is generally considered a good option for couples looking to streamline their wedding planning process and enhance guest experience through its modern and digital approach.

Why this product is good

  • Joy (withjoy.com) is a comprehensive wedding planning platform known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of customizable features. It allows couples to manage guest lists, create wedding websites, and track RSVPs, making the wedding planning process more efficient and less stressful. Additionally, Joy offers features such as photo sharing, travel and accommodation management, and an app for guests to easily access event information.

Recommended for

  • Couples looking for a free and comprehensive wedding planning tool.
  • Users who prefer customizable wedding websites.
  • Those who want an integrated platform for managing guest lists and RSVPs.
  • Couples willing to engage their guests with photo sharing and travel/accommodation management features.

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Joy videos

Joy - Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - "Joy" - Official Movie Review
  • Review - Joy Razor Review | Shaving with the New AFFORDABLE Gillette Women's Razor

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Joy)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Wedding
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Wedding Planning
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SelfControl and Joy

SelfControl Reviews

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Joy Reviews

The Best Personal Finance Budget Software with Apps (In 2020)
Currently, Joy is only available for iPhone users but has a waitlist for anyone using Androids. Once you download Joy onto your iPhone, you will be prompted to answer a set of questions. These questions determine your personality type and your money philosophy in order to better understand you and to help you reach your financial goals. You are then paired with a money coach...
Source: ptmoney.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than Joy. 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 / 3 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 / 5 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 / 10 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
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Joy mentions (34)

  • 9/23/23 Wedding in NW Chicago Suburbs for 60 People - $19.2K Detailed Budget Recap
    Wedding Website - Designed through the Joy platform, using its integrated registry and RSVP management system ($0 - highly recommended!). Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Looking for E-Invite Recommendations
    Highly recommend withjoy.com! It has been so easy to get my invitations in order since it pairs so nicely with their guest list feature and with our wedding website (also through withjoy). They've also got some really gorgeous designs! Source: about 3 years ago
  • Need to forward wix domain to external website
    I am trying to set up a wedding website through withjoy.com and want to add a custom domain I bought through Wix. Withjoy supports custom domains but only through domain forwarding. Where I'm at so far:. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Wedding video apps?
    I think withjoy does this. They definitely have a call to action for people to share photos using their app. Not sure bout the video functionality but that should be easy enough to do once you have the photos/videos. Source: over 3 years ago
  • The Big Fat Wedding Industry and 2 Startup Ideas to Make You Money in 2023
    Technological platforms for organizing weddings and related events. For example, Joy makes money by helping wedding guests buy gifts for the newlyweds - household appliances, electronics, kitchen utensils, and other household goods. As people buy gifts off the wedding registry, the company receives kickbacks from retailers. The startup has raised a total of $106.5 million. Source: over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Joy, 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!

Wedding Planner by The Knot - Wedding planning application.

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

Zola - The wedding company that'll do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience with a free suite of planning tools.

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

Wedding Planning Assistant - Everything you need to plan your wedding.