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SelfControl VS TryDiff

Compare SelfControl VS TryDiff and see what are their differences

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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.

TryDiff logo TryDiff

Free online text comparison tool. Compare two texts side-by-side with character-level highlighting. Find differences instantly. 100% private.
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • TryDiff
    Image date //
    2026-04-19
  • TryDiff
    Image date //
    2026-04-19
  • TryDiff
    Image date //
    2026-04-19
  • TryDiff
    Image date //
    2026-04-19

TryDiff is a free online text and file comparison tool built for speed and simplicity. Paste or upload two files to instantly see differences side-by-side, with added, removed, and modified lines highlighted. No signup required โ€” just open the site and start comparing.

Built for developers, writers, students, and analysts who need a fast, clean alternative to Diffchecker, Beyond Compare, and Meld. Works entirely in-browser, supports text and common file formats, and lets you download diff results.

Live at trydiff.com. Part of AIthinker LLC's lineup of no-signup developer utilities.

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.

TryDiff features and specs

  • No signup required
    Open the site and start comparing. No account, no login, no email.
  • Side-by-side diff view
    Added, removed, and modified lines highlighted with character-level precision.
  • Text & file comparison
    Paste text directly or upload common file formats. Works entirely in your browser.

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.

Analysis of TryDiff

Overall verdict

  • I don't have verified, up-to-date information about TryDiff (trydiff.com) to make a reliable assessment of its quality, features, or reputation. I'd recommend researching directly through reviews, the official website, and user feedback before making a decision.

Why this product is good

  • Insufficient verified data available about this specific product
  • Cannot confirm current features, pricing, or performance claims
  • No access to recent user reviews or reputationไฟกๆฏ for this service

Recommended for

  • Users should independently verify by checking the official website directly
  • Consider looking for third-party reviews on trusted platforms like G2, Trustpilot, or Reddit
  • Reach out to the company directly for a demo or trial before committing
  • Check if they offer a free trial to test the product yourself

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

TryDiff videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and TryDiff)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
95 95%
5% 5
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
File Management
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 / 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
View more

TryDiff mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of TryDiff yet. Tracking of TryDiff recommendations started around Apr 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and TryDiff, 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!

Diff Checker - Diff Checker is a free online diff tool that quickly and easily gives you the text differences...

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

Beyond Compare - Beyond Compare allows you to compare files and folders.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

Meld - What is Meld? Meld is a visual diff and merge tool targeted at developers.