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SelfControl VS Switchbar

Compare SelfControl VS Switchbar 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
Promote on VibeVoted
Alternatives Is it good?
Switchbar

Choose which browser, profile, or app opens your links, with automatic routing rules and URL cleanup.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Free
Promote on VibeVoted
Alternatives Is it good?
Sendaway.co
Send files and text between devices with a simple 6-digit code. No account, email or shared link required. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than Switchbar. While we know about 80 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 1 mention of Switchbar.

social mentions
80 vs 1
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 29

Base details

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

SelfControl
Switchbar
Website selfcontrolapp.com switchbar.com
Pricing
Open source
Free
Platforms —
MacOS Windows
Company — Startup from the United States · 10 - 19 employees
Listed in
Productivity Time Management Focus Health And Fitness +1
Safari Extensions Firefox Extensions Mac Project Management Browser Selector Productivity Automation OS & Utilities +5

About SelfControl and Switchbar

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

SelfControl
Switchbar

No description of SelfControl yet.

Switchbar helps you open every link in the right place. Choose a browser, browser profile, email client, or desktop app—or create rules to make the choice automatically. Choose where links open Set Switchbar as your default browser to see a picker when opening links from other apps. Select the...

Read more about Switchbar

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features
Switchbar 10 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.
  • Browser profiles
    Send links to the right work or personal profile.
  • Smart rules
    Automatically route links by URL, domain, or email address.
  • Email client picker
    Choose which email app or supported webmail account handles mailto links.
  • Desktop app integration
    Open supported links directly in desktop apps.
  • Browser picker
    Choose which browser opens each link.
  • Tracking parameter removal
    Remove tracking codes from URLs.
  • URL unshortener
    Expand supported short links before routing them.
  • Browser extension
    Send pages and links to Switchbar while browsing.
  • Keyboard shortcuts
    Choose destinations quickly using the keyboard.
  • Handoff
    Continue with a link on another Apple device from your Mac.

Analysis

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

SelfControl
Switchbar

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.

No analysis of Switchbar yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add
Switchbar 0 videos + Add

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

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

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
Switchbar
100% 100%
Time Tracking
0% 0%
0% 0%
Project Management
100% 100%
100% 100%
Productivity
0% 0%
0% 0%
Safari Extensions
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing SelfControl and Switchbar.

What makes your product unique?

Switchbar's answer:

Switchbar lets you choose the browser, profile, or app for each link. It also handles email links, remembers familiar choices with rules, and cleans up tracking codes—all in one simple picker for Mac and Windows.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Switchbar's answer:

Switchbar brings everyday link management into one app:

  • Choose a browser or profile when opening a link.
  • Set simple rules for websites you use regularly.
  • Open supported links in desktop apps.
  • Use it on Mac and Windows, for free and without an account.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Switchbar's answer:

Switchbar is for people who use multiple browsers or accounts, especially professionals, freelancers, and developers who want work and personal links to open in the right place.

What's the story behind your product?

Switchbar's answer:

Switchbar addresses a common frustration: one default browser doesn’t suit every link.

It gives you a choice when you need one and lets you create rules for the links you open regularly.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Switchbar's answer:

Switchbar is built primarily with Electron, TypeScript, React, and Vite.

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and Switchbar. 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 80 mentions
Switchbar 1 mention
  • No Forest app for PC? The 3 layers where Windows focus apps block distractions
    SelfControl's site calls it "a free Mac application", so no. The nearest Windows equivalents of its locked block are in Layer 3: Cold Turkey's locking features or Freedom's Locked Mode. (selfcontrolapp.com). - Source: dev.to / about 20 hours ago
  • 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 / 8 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 / 9 months ago

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Alternatives to SelfControl and Switchbar

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

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