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SelfControl VS Opal

Compare SelfControl VS Opal 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
Alternatives Is it good?
Opal

Spatial knowledge management for solopreneurs, freelancers, and neurodivergent thinkers who want total control of their projects, hate losing and searching for what they already have, and are tired of trying and quitting productivity apps.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial $27 / Monthly (Core Essentials, 1,000 items, 5 GB storage, 25MB file uploads)
Alternatives Is it good?
Insightful.io
The precision Work Intelligence for actionable bottom line impact and #1 workforce analytics software that shows how work actually happens: get real-time and historical data, understand productivity at every level, track AI adoption across your org. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 79 times since March 2021.

social mentions
79 vs 0
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
236 vs 14

Base details

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

SelfControl
Opal
Website selfcontrolapp.com opalrecall.com
Pricing
Open source
Freemium Free trial $27 / Monthly (Core Essentials, 1,000 items, 5 GB storage, 25MB file uploads) Official pricing
Company — Startup from the United States · 1 - 9 employees · 2025
Listed in
Productivity Time Management Websites Blocker Time Tracking +1
Knowledge Management Note Taking Productivity Knowledge Base Document Management Document Management System Task Management Todos Project Management Notes +7

About SelfControl and Opal

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

SelfControl
Opal

No description of SelfControl yet.

You remember where things are, not just what they're called. Manage your notes, documents, and important files on a visual, infinite canvas. Organize your draggable content spatially on a digital desk where everything remains visible, what's important stays top of mind, and whatever you need in...

Read more about Opal

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features
Opal 14 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.
  • Spatial Knowledge Management
    Store your notes & documents, drag them around, and zoom and pan an infinite canvas, like a big desk, so you can see everything in context
  • Block Editor for Docs & Notes
    Author content in a WYSIWYG block editor with markdown under the hood and copy-paste & drag and drop support for images, media, and files.
  • Internal Item Links
    Build your knowledge base, cross-reference standard operating procedures (SOPs), or just connect ideas with clickable internal links that open your other docs & notes
  • Binders
    Stack similar and repeating content in binders or use them to archive old content to keep your workspaces clutter-free
  • Fences
    Spatially organize projects and similar content in draggable, resizable fences that provide unique work zones for different projects
  • Open Multiple Items
    It's much easier to make comparisons, cross-reference information, and get a clearer picture of your work when you can see it all at once and drag and drop content from one open item to another.
  • Sharing
    Share content with anyone, configure 4 levels of permissions (view, edit, share, delete shares), and collaborate in real-time on notes and documents
  • Opal API with AI Agent Skill
    Programmatically manage your Opal content through the API or give your AI agents view or full access to create and manage content for you
  • AI Transcription Integration with CRUSH
    Connect your [CrushTheMemory.com](http://CrushTheMemory.com) device to store your recordings and transcriptions as Opal notes or documents and map your CRUSH folders to fences, binders, and/or workspaces
  • Drag and Drop Files
    Store PDFs, images, video, documents, or any file as File item types on your workspaces or as rich media embedded in notes and documents
  • Export Content
    Export your content as HTML, markdown, or PDF
  • Publish to the Web
    Publish content as external web pages for anyone to view without an Opal account
  • Bookmarks & iFrames
    Bookmark links (that you can take notes on) and embed iframe content (like Google Docs) to view and edit while in Opal
  • Zero Nonsense Task List
    Set the date (or default to "today") and create 10 tasks on the same day in seconds with zero clicks, sorted stalest first, that connect to your notes & docs. One-click dismissal.

Analysis

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

SelfControl
Opal

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

  • Opal (opalrecall.com) is a solid choice for individuals and teams looking for a privacy-focused, AI-powered tool to capture, organize, and recall information such as meeting notes, screen activity, or personal knowledge, though it may still be maturing compared to more established competitors.

Why this product is good

  • Combines AI search with personal knowledge management to help users quickly retrieve past information
  • Offers privacy-conscious design, appealing to users cautious about data security
  • Simplifies capturing screen activity, notes, or meeting content in an organized, searchable format
  • Actively developed with a focus on productivity and reducing time spent searching for information
  • Provides a clean, user-friendly interface suited for both individuals and small teams

Recommended for

  • Professionals who need to quickly recall meeting details or research
  • Teams looking for lightweight knowledge management tools
  • Individuals concerned about data privacy in AI-driven apps
  • Remote workers who rely on digital notes and screen captures for productivity
  • Users seeking an alternative to bulkier enterprise knowledge management systems

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add
Opal 4 videos + Add

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Introducing Opal

More videos

  • - Is Opal App Worth It or a Scam? Honest 2025 Review & User Guide
  • - OPAL: A HORRIFYING Story About Child Trauma
  • - Google Opal Review 2025: Build AI Mini-Apps for FREE – No Coding Required!

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
Opal
100% 100%
Time Tracking
0% 0%
0% 0%
Project Management
100% 100%
100% 100%
Time Management
0% 0%
95% 95%
Productivity
5% 5%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing SelfControl and Opal.

What makes your product unique?

Opal's answer:

All your content is on a visual, infinite canvas desk. Notes, documents, files, etc. are draggable icons that you can organize spatially because we remember WHERE things are, not just what they're called. Opal keeps your work in sight so your brain never drops it.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Opal's answer:

When content is spatially organized, you stop losing content buried under folders, hierarchies, categories, and menus. Your brain begins to fire differently, sparking new ideas and spotting links, patterns, and opportunities it used to miss. - You connect ideas across clients, projects, and ideas - You Stay In Flow, No Context Lost, And No Rhythm Broken - You make faster, sharper decisions because every note and project is visible at once - You reuse your best work instead of rebuilding it from scratch - You eliminate the need for text-based searches and can find things even if you can't remember what you named them

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Opal's answer:

Solopreneurs, freelancers, people juggling multiple clients, visual thinkers, neurodivergent thinkers, and people who've quit productivity apps.

What's the story behind your product?

Opal's answer:

Something was lost when everything went digital. Having used various tools for years, I eventually discovered a fatal flaw that nearly all knowledge management tools suffer from: their attepts to organize content became the means by which content got buried. Over time as more content gets added, it became harder to find things, especially when you can't remember what you called it.

We remember things in physical space because we see them all the time and register their existence subconsciously, even if we don't need them in the moment. For example, if you asked where my keys were, I could tell you instantly. This spatial reasoning and thinking effect is severely hindered in the digital space.

After enough frustration, I decided to do something about it: build a spatial knowledge management tool that lets you see everything all at once. As you pan and zoom around your workspace, you are registering the existence of things even when you don't need them in that moment. That changes everything over time. Organizing becomes less about categorization, labeling, or hierarchy, and more about placement and "where I left it". Your brain remembers where far more easily than what. This is why I built Opal.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Opal's answer:

Web-based application built on NodeJS, Express, Form.io (MongoDB), and JavaScript.

User comments

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

SelfControl 79 mentions
Opal 0 mentions

View more

Tracking Opal since Apr 2026.

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