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SelfControl VS Routine

Compare SelfControl VS Routine 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.

Routine logo Routine

Todo and notes taking app for busy professionals
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Routine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-19

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.

Routine features and specs

  • Comprehensive Task Management
    Routine provides a robust set of features for task management, including to-do lists, deadlines, and project tracking, which helps users stay organized and keep track of their responsibilities.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform has an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all skill levels and ensuring a smooth user experience.
  • Cross-Platform Sync
    Routine allows users to synchronize their tasks and schedules across multiple devices, ensuring they can access their information anytime, anywhere.
  • Integration with Other Apps
    Routine offers integration with popular apps and services, such as calendars and email clients, which can streamline workflows and centralize task management.
  • Customizable Notifications
    Users can set up personalized reminders and notifications, ensuring they never miss important deadlines or meetings.

Possible disadvantages of Routine

  • Subscription Cost
    Routine operates on a subscription-based model, which might be a barrier for some users who are looking for a free task management solution.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly design, the multitude of features can initially be overwhelming, requiring some time for new users to learn and adapt.
  • Internet Dependency
    The platform requires an internet connection for syncing and accessing information, which can be a limitation for users in areas with unreliable internet access.
  • Occasional Bugs
    As with any software, users may encounter occasional bugs or glitches that can hinder productivity and require technical support.
  • Feature Overload
    Some users may find the extensive range of features to be excessive if they only need basic task management capabilities, making the platform unnecessarily complex.

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.

Analysis of Routine

Overall verdict

  • Routine is considered a good tool for individuals who value consolidating their productivity processes into a single platform. It has received positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and efficiency enhancements, although individual experience may vary.

Why this product is good

  • Routine (routine.co) is known for being a productivity tool designed to help users manage their tasks, events, and notes seamlessly in one place. It emphasizes ease of use and aims to improve productivity by integrating with other popular tools and providing a unified workspace.

Recommended for

  • Freelancers and remote workers looking to streamline their productivity processes
  • Teams needing a unified tool to manage tasks and schedules
  • Individuals seeking to integrate various productivity apps into one cohesive system

SelfControl videos

+ Add

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Routine videos

+ Add

Routine: A New Daily Planner - App Review

More videos:

  • Review - SKKN by Kim Kardashian: Reaction to Her Skincare Routine & My Review (First Impression) | Susan Yara
  • Review - My ultimate anti-ageing evening routine with Dermatica AD

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Routine)

SelfControl

Routine

Time Tracking
100 100%
Time Tracking
0% 0
Productivity
50 50%
Productivity
50% 50
Time Management
100 100%
Time Management
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
Task Management
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SelfControl and Routine

SelfControl Reviews

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet.
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Routine Reviews

  1. Nick
    · User ·
    It's look pretty!

    It's even a little more clunky than Notion.

    Competitors: Sunsama, Taskade
    Pros:    Usability
    Cons:    $12/month

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than Routine. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Routine. 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 / 6 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 / 7 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 / about 1 year 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

Routine mentions (4)

  • A replacement for Apple Calendar, Notes, Reminders and Contacts
    I'd like it to be an all-in-one solution as I'd rather not pay 2 or 3 subscriptions for it. routine.co seems to fit the bill, but it also looks far from mature. Are there any other all-encompassing solutions? Source: over 3 years ago
  • New planner app (alternative to Sunsuma, Akiflow, Amie)
    Here's a link with the sneaky referral code https://routine.co. Source: about 4 years ago
  • What apps do you use the most on iPhone?
    The one that summarize texts, check routine.co also. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Launch HN: Routine (YC W21) – Tasks, notes and calendar all in one product
    Definitely agree. Looks like what you are describing is Routine (http://routine.co) :). - Source: Hacker News / over 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Routine, 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!

Todoist - Todoist is a to-do list that helps you get organized, at work and in life.

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

Sunsama - Calendar and scheduling for teams

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

TickTick - TickTickis a cross-platform to-do list app & task manager helps you to get all things done and make life well organized.

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