Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Tomato Timer

Compare SelfControl VS Tomato 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.

Tomato Timer logo Tomato Timer

TomatoTimer is a flexible and easy to use online Pomodoro Technique Timer
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Tomato Timer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-06

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.

Tomato Timer features and specs

  • Simple Interface
    Tomato Timer has a clean and easy-to-use interface that helps users quickly set up and start their work sessions without any unnecessary distractions.
  • No Registration Required
    The tool does not require users to sign up or log in to use its features, which makes it accessible for quick use.
  • Customizable Timers
    Users can customize the length of work sessions, short breaks, and long breaks according to their personal preferences and needs.
  • Sound Alerts
    Tomato Timer provides sound alerts to notify users when a session or break has ended, ensuring they stay on track without having to continuously monitor the timer.
  • Free to Use
    The tool is completely free to use, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to improve their productivity.

Possible disadvantages of Tomato Timer

  • Limited Features
    While Tomato Timer is effective for basic time management, it lacks advanced features such as task tracking, reporting, or integration with other productivity tools.
  • No Mobile App
    There is no dedicated mobile app, which may be a limitation for users who prefer to manage their time on smartphones or tablets.
  • Internet Dependency
    The tool requires an internet connection to be used, which might be inconvenient for users who need to work in offline environments.
  • No Data Sync
    Since there is no account registration, users cannot sync their timer data across multiple devices, limiting its usefulness for those who work on different platforms.
  • Basic Visual Design
    The visual design of Tomato Timer is quite basic and may not appeal to users who prefer more aesthetically pleasing interfaces.

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

Tomato Timer videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Tomato Timer)
Time Tracking
52 52%
48% 48
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Office & Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than Tomato Timer. 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 / 4 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 / 6 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 / 11 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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Tomato Timer mentions (31)

  • How do you do writing sprints?
    I use: tomato-timer.com, and I use the basic 25/5 or 25/10 for a longer rest. I set the bell tone I want and tell it to go continuously (that's "auto start" under settings). I get myself ready, close out wasting time tabs, open my document, make sure I have my water by my side, and press "start." Then I do my 5 or 6 sprints and usually am done for the day. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Show HN: Pomodoro Timer with Friends
    There is a "Tomato Timer". [1] Looks like it was bought recently. [1] https://tomato-timer.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • A question for programmers with ADHD: how do you get yourself to work on stuff that you find insanely dull?
    Adderall and https://tomato-timer.com/ . Source: over 4 years ago
  • I ALMOST lost 4 hours worth of work last night....
    Here this might help you https://tomato-timer.com/. Source: over 4 years ago
  • How its possible to focus on study and stop checking all time the phone?
    Hereโ€™s a website with a timer too in case you donโ€™t wanna use an app. Source: over 4 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Tomato 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!

focus booster - focus booster is a simple timer application following the 'Pomodoro technique' for time...

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

Pomello - Pomello turns your Trello cards into Pomodoroยฎ tasks.

Focus App - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.

YAPA - Pomodoro timer