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SelfControl VS one sec

Compare SelfControl VS one sec and see what are their differences

Grapple
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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

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.

one sec logo one sec

one sec uses Shortcut automation in order to empower you to spend more time in the real world.
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • one sec Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-06

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.

one sec features and specs

  • Mindful Usage
    One Sec encourages users to pause and contemplate before using certain apps, promoting mindful digital consumption.
  • Reduced Screen Time
    The app helps decrease unnecessary phone usage, potentially leading to reduced screen time.
  • Customization
    Users can customize which apps trigger the pause, tailoring the experience to their specific needs.
  • Simple Integration
    One Sec integrates easily with other apps and can be set up quickly without complex configurations.
  • Improves Focus
    By reducing impulsive phone checks, the app aids in maintaining better focus on tasks throughout the day.

Possible disadvantages of one sec

  • Subscription Cost
    Some features may require a premium subscription, which could be a barrier for some users.
  • Limited Platforms
    The app might not be available on all operating systems, limiting its accessibility for some users.
  • Dependency
    Users might become reliant on the app to manage their screen time instead of developing self-discipline.
  • Potential Delays
    There might be slight delays in accessing apps, which could be frustrating for users who need immediate access.
  • Learning Curve
    Some users may experience a learning curve in setting up and effectively using the appโ€™s features.

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

+ Add

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

one sec videos

+ Add

The app that makes Elon Musk cry โ€” One Sec app setup & review

More videos:

  • Review - one sec app: reduces social media addiction long-term
  • Tutorial - one sec app | Setup Tutorial with the Shortcuts App | New on iOS 17+

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and one sec)

SelfControl

one sec

Time Tracking
74 74%
Time Tracking
26% 26
Productivity
56 56%
Productivity
44% 44
Time Management
73 73%
Time Management
27% 27
Invoicing
100 100%
Invoicing
0% 0

User comments

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

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than one sec. 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 / 4 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 / 11 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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one sec mentions (44)

  • Finland to end "uncontrolled human experiment" with ban on youth social media
    I think most users need more screen blocking control than they get out of the box on iOS. Ntools like one sec [1] have been invaluable for me. [1]: https://one-sec.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Using an $8 smart outlet to avoid brainrot
    One thing that finally worked for me was using: https://one-sec.app/ It basically forces you to do a little breathing exercise before you can visit the site that you have on its block list. It has been life changing. It adds enough frictions for me to stop any impulsive visits but also is not so annoying that I would completely disable it in a weak moment. One Sec was developed by someone with ADHD, I think and it... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • My Struggle with Doom Scrolling
    I've tried various forms of this. As long as there's a logged in session somewhere, I have to have various tricks and extensions on my browser to manage things. Most have been only varying degrees of successful, often ending up in me just disabling the feature whenever I want to get my fix. The most successful iteration I've found so far is keeping these apps uninstalled from my phone, and using... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Show HN: App that asks 'why?' every time you unlock your phone
    I use this on iOS https://one-sec.app. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • TinyPod โ€“ Apple Watch case with scroll wheel
    I actually really like this concept. Recently, I added OneSec (https://one-sec.app/) to most of the apps I use to create some type of friction. It works great on the apps I added it to, but the addiction is so real that I find myself doom-scrolling on apps I rarely use, such as LinkedIn. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and one sec, 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!

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

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

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

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

Forest App - Forest is an app that helps you stay focused on the important things in life.

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