Software Alternatives & Startups

SelfControl VS speedtest-cli

Compare SelfControl VS speedtest-cli 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
speedtest-cli

Test your download speed using SpeedTest on the command-line

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 should be more popular than speedtest-cli. It has been mentioned 79 times since March 2021.

social mentions
79 vs 13
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
183 vs 88

Base details

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

SelfControl
speedtest-cli
Website selfcontrolapp.com github.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features
speedtest-cli 5 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.
  • Open Source
    Speedtest-cli is open-source, meaning the source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance.
  • Command Line Interface
    Allows users to run internet speed tests from the command line, which can be useful for automation, scripting, and use on headless servers.
  • Platform Independent
    Runs on multiple systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for use across different environments.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Can be easily integrated with other applications and monitoring systems for automated performance tracking and reporting.
  • No Ads
    Unlike web-based speed test services, speedtest-cli does not display any advertisements, offering a cleaner user experience.

Possible disadvantages

  • Requires Terminal Knowledge
    Users need to be familiar with the command line interface, which might be a barrier for those who are accustomed to graphical user interfaces.
  • No Graphical Output
    Lacks a visual representation of the speed test results, which can be a disadvantage for users who prefer graphical data.
  • Limited Server Selection
    Automated server selection might not always choose the best server for testing, potentially affecting the accuracy of results.
  • Dependencies
    Speedtest-cli relies on Python and the 'pip' package manager, which may require additional setup steps for some users.
  • Feature Limitations
    Not all features of the web-based Speedtest service (like detailed historical data) are available in the CLI version.

Analysis

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

SelfControl
speedtest-cli

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

  • Speedtest-cli is a reliable and effective tool for quickly assessing internet speed from the command line. It is well-regarded in the tech community for personal use, troubleshooting, and integration into network monitoring solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Speedtest-cli is a popular command-line tool that allows users to measure Internet bandwidth performance by using the Speedtest.net infrastructure. It is favored for its simplicity, ease of use, and ability to function on systems without a graphical user interface. It supports automated testing through scripts, making it suitable for batch processing and integration into monitoring systems.

Recommended for

  • System administrators who need a tool to monitor bandwidth performance across different machines.
  • Developers who require automation of speed tests in scripts.
  • Users who prefer command-line interfaces instead of graphical user interfaces.
  • Individuals seeking a lightweight and straightforward way to test internet speed without additional software installations.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add
speedtest-cli 2 videos + Add

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Testing Internet Bandwidth From The Terminal Using Speedtest-cli

More videos

  • - Test internet bandwidth using speedtest-cli

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
speedtest-cli
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and speedtest-cli. 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
speedtest-cli 13 mentions

View more

  • CLI Tools every Developer should know
    Or, you can follow the installation instructions on the official GitHub repository: SpeedTest-CLI Installation Guide. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Routing table confusion, or did Kirkland move to Kansas?
    That's a community cli client https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli rather than the official cli client https://www.speedtest.net/apps/cli. Source: over 3 years ago
  • running script via cron does not provide full output
    If you read the docs for Speedtest-CLI you will see that the program timeouts after 10 seconds. Try using this for default timeout of 1 minute and also redirect errors to the same file. Speedtest-cli --timeout 60 >>... Source: almost 4 years ago

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Alternatives to SelfControl and speedtest-cli

When comparing SelfControl and speedtest-cli, you can also consider the following products.