Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Timer.

Compare SelfControl VS Timer. and see what are their differences

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.

Timer. logo Timer.

Timer. is the simplest timer available and it repeats over and over! Beautifully designed, Timer.
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
Not present

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.

Timer. features and specs

  • Enhanced Productivity
    Timer tools can help users track their time effectively, leading to improved productivity by highlighting how time is spent and identifying areas for efficiency.
  • Task Management
    These tools often include features for managing and organizing tasks, allowing for better prioritization and streamlined workflow.
  • Focus and Accountability
    Having a timer can encourage users to stay focused and accountable to their tasks, minimizing distractions and procrastination.
  • Data Insights
    Users can gain valuable insights into their work habits through reports and analytics, enabling them to make informed adjustments to their routines.

Possible disadvantages of Timer.

  • Over-reliance
    Users may become overly dependent on timers, which could lead to stress or anxiety if they constantly feel the need to optimize every minute of their day.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Some users might be concerned about data privacy, especially if the tool collects detailed information about their working habits and usage patterns.
  • Initial Setup and Learning Curve
    There could be a learning curve associated with setting up and effectively using the tool, which might be a deterrent for some users.
  • Potential Distraction
    Ironically, using a timer can itself become a distraction if users become too focused on tracking time instead of completing tasks.

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

Timer. videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Timer.)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Online Timer
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Countdown Timer
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 79 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 / 5 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 / 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 / 12 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
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Timer. mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Timer. yet. Tracking of Timer. recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Timer., 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!

Hourglass - Hourglass is the most advanced simple countdown timer for Windows.

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

Pomofocus - A simple and customizable pomodoro timer for the web

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

wnr - Better than pomodoro, this timer app balances work and rest.