Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS PawBlock

Compare SelfControl VS PawBlock and see what are their differences

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.

PawBlock logo PawBlock

Browser extension that blocks distracting sites
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • PawBlock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18

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.

PawBlock features and specs

  • Distraction Reduction
    PawBlock helps reduce distractions by blocking pet-related websites, allowing users to focus more on their tasks.
  • Customizable Blocking
    Users can customize which websites are blocked, giving them control over their browsing experience.
  • Productivity Enhancement
    By limiting access to distracting content, PawBlock can potentially improve productivity for users who might otherwise spend excessive time on pet websites.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The extension offers an intuitive interface, making it easy for users to set up and manage their blocking preferences.

Possible disadvantages of PawBlock

  • Limited Scope
    The extension specifically targets pet-related sites, which might not be useful for users seeking to block other types of distracting content.
  • Overblocking Risk
    Some users might find that the extension blocks websites they consider useful or necessary, which could interfere with legitimate browsing needs.
  • Dependency on User Input
    For effective use, users must actively input the websites they want to block, which requires knowing what websites to avoid.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    As with any browser extension, there may be concerns about data privacy and how browsing information is handled.

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

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

PawBlock videos

TERMINAL 191: Dell Inspiron 13-5379, PawBlock, najoฤekivanije igre u 2018.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and PawBlock)
Time Tracking
94 94%
6% 6
Productivity
88 88%
12% 12
Time Management
91 91%
9% 9
Invoicing
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be more popular. 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
View more

PawBlock mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PawBlock yet. Tracking of PawBlock recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and PawBlock, 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!

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

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

Write App - No-distraction writing tool for your productivity.

Deprocrastination.co - Turn your browser into a calm, lean productivity machine

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat