Software Alternatives & Startups

SelfControl VS Keeping

Compare SelfControl VS Keeping and see what are their differences

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.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Keeping

Turns Google Workspace Into Your Team’s Help Desk

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 80 times since March 2021.

social mentions
80 vs 0
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 89

Base details

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

SelfControl
Keeping
Website selfcontrolapp.com keeping.com
Pricing
Open source
Paid Free trial Official pricing
Company — Startup from the United States · 1 - 9 employees · 2020
Listed in

About SelfControl and Keeping

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

SelfControl
Keeping

No description of SelfControl yet.

Keeping is a shared inbox and helpdesk tool that lives inside Gmail, turning a shared mailbox like support@company(dot)com into a collaborative workspace where customer emails become trackable tickets with assignments, statuses, tags, and collision detection. It adds helpdesk power (templates,...

Read more about Keeping

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features
Keeping 6 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.
  • Shared Inbox
    Collaborate on your shared inbox from Gmail
  • Automated Workflows
    Tag, assign, and process email automatically
  • Lives in Gmail
    No extra tabs or apps to learn
  • Unlimited Mailboxes
    Add as many shared mailboxes as you like for free
  • Powerful Analytics
    Track first response time, volume, and measure your team
  • Collision Detection
    Never answer the same email twice

Analysis

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

SelfControl
Keeping

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.

No analysis of Keeping yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add
Keeping 2 videos + Add

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

DROP 2025 REVIEW | Keeping the Shot INTERESTING!

More videos

  • - I hate it, I'm keeping it. SMSL PL200T CD transport review.

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
Keeping
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
90% 90%
10% 10%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing SelfControl and Keeping.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Keeping's answer:

Small and medium sized businesses

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Keeping's answer:

Built in GCP (Google Cloud), with React, Elixir, and Phoenix.

What's the story behind your product?

Keeping's answer:

Keeping was built to help teams manage customer support without leaving Gmail. It brings the structure of a help desk to shared inboxes, making it easier to assign, track, and respond to customer emails as a team.

User comments

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

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

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

SelfControl no reviews yet
Keeping no reviews yet

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

Social recommendations and mentions

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

SelfControl 80 mentions
Keeping 0 mentions
  • No Forest app for PC? The 3 layers where Windows focus apps block distractions
    SelfControl's site calls it "a free Mac application", so no. The nearest Windows equivalents of its locked block are in Layer 3: Cold Turkey's locking features or Freedom's Locked Mode. (selfcontrolapp.com). - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • 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 / 8 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 / 9 months ago

View more

Tracking Keeping since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to SelfControl and Keeping

When comparing SelfControl and Keeping, you can also consider the following products.