Software Alternatives & Startups

SelfControl VS Sidekick

Compare SelfControl VS Sidekick 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
Sidekick

Email tracking plugin for Gmail.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

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
240+ vs 157

Base details

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

SelfControl
Sidekick
Website selfcontrolapp.com oomphalot.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features
Sidekick 4 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.
  • Ease of Integration
    Sidekick is designed to be simple and easy to integrate with existing web applications, which reduces the setup time and allows developers to quickly start using the tool.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Sidekick allows developers to contribute to its development, customize it to fit their needs, and ensures transparency in its operations and updates.
  • Functionality
    Sidekick provides robust background processing capabilities, enabling efficient task management for web applications that need to handle asynchronous jobs.
  • Community Support
    With a large and active community, users can easily find help and resources, contributing to faster troubleshooting and sharing of ideas and plugins.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity for Large Scale Use
    While straightforward for smaller applications, Sidekick can become complex to manage in larger, more intricate systems due to its inherent design and scalability challenges.
  • Documentation Gaps
    Users may find that some areas of the documentation are lacking in detail, which could lead to confusion or improper implementation of certain features.
  • Enterprise Features
    Certain advanced features are only available in the paid enterprise version, which might not be affordable or necessary for smaller projects or individual developers.

Analysis

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

SelfControl
Sidekick

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

  • Overall, Sidekick is a solid choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive productivity solution. Its user-friendly design and efficient functionality make it a good option for streamlining work processes.

Why this product is good

  • Sidekick, the service offered by oomphalot.com, is considered good due to its intuitive interface, reliable performance, and robust customer support. It is designed to enhance productivity by providing features like task management, collaboration tools, and real-time updates, making it a valuable tool for both individual users and teams.

Recommended for

    Sidekick is recommended for professionals, remote teams, project managers, and anyone seeking to improve their workflow and productivity. It's especially beneficial for those who need to coordinate tasks and communication efficiently.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add
Sidekick 2 videos + Add

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

When Phones Were Fun: The Sidekick (2002-2010)

More videos

  • - T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009 review - part 1 of 3

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
Sidekick
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
AI
100% 100%
79% 79%
21% 21%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and Sidekick. 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
Sidekick 0 mentions

View more

Tracking Sidekick since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to SelfControl and Sidekick

When comparing SelfControl and Sidekick, you can also consider the following products.