Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Redact.dev

Compare SelfControl VS Redact.dev 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.

Redact.dev logo Redact.dev

Mass delete your content on social networks and messengers
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Redact.dev Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-29

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.

Redact.dev features and specs

  • Comprehensive Platform Support
    Redact.dev supports a wide range of platforms, allowing users to manage and delete their data from multiple sources like social media, messaging apps, and other online services.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The service provides an intuitive and simple interface that makes it easy for users to navigate through the data deletion process without technical expertise.
  • Privacy and Data Security
    Redact.dev emphasizes user privacy by ensuring that data deletion processes are secure and comply with modern data protection standards.
  • Customization Options
    Users can tailor the data deletion process according to their preferences, allowing selective deletion of data based on specific criteria.
  • Automated Deletion Tools
    The platform offers automation features that help streamline the deletion process, saving users time and effort in managing their online footprint.

Possible disadvantages of Redact.dev

  • Subscription Costs
    Some advanced features of Redact.dev may require a paid subscription, which might not be ideal for users looking for a completely free solution.
  • Learning Curve for New Users
    Despite having a user-friendly interface, new users may need some time to fully understand and utilize all the features the platform offers.
  • Platform-Specific Limitations
    There might be limitations or restrictions imposed by certain platforms that could affect the ability of Redact.dev to delete data entirely.
  • Internet Connectivity Requirement
    Since the service operates online, users need a stable internet connection to perform data management and deletion tasks.
  • Potential Data Loss
    Mistakes during data selection or deletion could result in unintentional loss of important information, making it crucial for users to review their choices.

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

Redact.dev videos

No Redact.dev videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Redact.dev)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Social Media Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Social Networks
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Redact.dev should be more popular than SelfControl. It has been mentiond 149 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 / 6 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

Redact.dev mentions (149)

  • Slack AI Training with Customer Data
    Just another read to mass delete your Slack DM's before you quit your job/move to another job. https://redact.dev (my startup) makes this easy. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Mozilla Monitor Plus: automatically remove your personal info from data brokers
    We are working on a fully local version of this @ https://redact.dev - Beta should be out within a month or so. Huge (obvious) advantages for doing it locally. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • How to Delete Your Data from Data Brokers
    You can trust them only as much as you think they have self interest in not being sued for doing something nefarious. That said, they could very easily have a data breach and every customers full 'dox' would then be out in the wild. Were not talking about ordinary payment details either, just full on dox - every address you have lived at, your license scan, your names, phone numbers, its crazy. I made a post lower... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Californians will be able to delete all personal online data in first-in-US law
    Some things to note, unless the bill was modified from the version I read: This doesnt apply to any information which is public record as a matter-of-fact. So if you voted, your address and name is public record and can be used and displayed by these sites. If you got a DUI, your mugshot and arrest record may be public record and can be displayed. If you got into a custody battle and your court case was public,... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Permission Slip: Consumer Reports app to take back control of your data
    Is this a whitelabeled version of saymine? Seems like the same type of service. For what its worth, I think you need to go much farther than this. Saying "delete my account" does not do what you think it does for the vast majority of services. For instaince, take reddit or discord. When you 'delete your account' it does not actually delete your data. It just removes your email and changes your account handle to... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Redact.dev, 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!

Jerboa for Lemmy - Lemmy

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

Tildes - A non-profit community site driven by its users' interests

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

Lemmy - Federated link aggregator and Reddit alternative built with Rust