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SelfControl VS Twist

Compare SelfControl VS Twist 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
Alternatives Is it good?
Twist

Check fewer notifications, do more meaningful work. Twist is the team communication app for calmer, more organized, and more productive teamwork.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Tempreon
A personal memory layer for your AI tools, connected over MCP. sponsored
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 Twist. It has been mentioned 79 times since March 2021.

social mentions
79 vs 23
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
183 vs 240+

Base details

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

SelfControl
Twist
Website selfcontrolapp.com twist.com
Pricing
Open source
Official pricing
Listed in
Productivity Time Management Websites Blocker Time Tracking +1
Communication Team Collaboration Instant Messaging Group Chat & Notifications +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SelfControl 4 features
Twist 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.
  • Asynchronous Communication
    Twist is designed for asynchronous communication, which can help teams focus on deep work without constant interruptions.
  • Threaded Conversations
    The platform organizes discussions into threads, making it easier to follow and reference past conversations.
  • Searchable History
    Twist offers robust search capabilities, allowing users to easily find past messages and files.
  • Integrations
    Twist supports integrations with other tools like Google Drive, Trello, and GitHub, streamlining workflows.
  • Focus on Work-Life Balance
    Twist promotes a healthier work-life balance by reducing the pressure to respond immediately, unlike real-time chat tools.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    New users may find the interface and the concept of asynchronous communication challenging to get used to initially.
  • Limited Real-Time Capabilities
    For teams that require instant communication, Twist's emphasis on asynchronous messaging can be a drawback.
  • Less Popular
    Compared to other collaboration tools like Slack, Twist has a smaller user base, which might limit community support and third-party integrations.
  • Cost
    While there is a free version, advanced features are available only in the paid plans, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious teams.
  • Notification System
    Some users report that Twist's notification system can be less intuitive or less immediate compared to real-time chat platforms.

Analysis

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

SelfControl
Twist

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

  • Overall, Twist is considered a good tool for teams that value clear, organized communication without the constant interruption of real-time chat. It is particularly beneficial for remote and distributed teams who work across different time zones.

Why this product is good

  • Twist is popular due to its focus on asynchronous communication, which helps reduce the pressure of constant notifications and the 'always-on' culture that traditional real-time chat applications can foster. It offers organized and threaded conversations, making it easier to follow discussions and find necessary information. Its clean and user-friendly interface, along with integrations with other productivity tools, further adds to its appeal.

Recommended for

    Twist is recommended for teams and organizations that prioritize deep work and need a communication tool that supports async workflows. It is especially suited for remote teams, freelancers, and any groups aiming to minimize distractions while maintaining effective communication.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SelfControl 2 videos + Add
Twist 3 videos + Add

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Twist | Full Review: Slack Killer?!

More videos

  • - These are still LEGAL! Twist Disposable Pods Review!
  • - Twist Review: Features, Pricing & Thoughts

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
Twist
100% 100%
Time Tracking
0% 0%
0% 0%
Communication
100% 100%
100% 100%
Time Management
0% 0%
48% 48%
Productivity
52% 52%

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and Twist. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

SelfControl no reviews yet
Twist no reviews yet

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet. Be the first one to post

  • 15 Best Instant Messaging Apps for Business
    clariti.app · Feb 2021

    Twist organizes all team communication in one central location. Team conversations can be grouped by channels that can be public or private, and messages can be sent without interfering with thread discussions.

  • 14 of the Best Slack Alternatives for 2022
    blog.hubspot.com · Feb 2021

    Twist is the communication software ideal for asyncronous teams. Its model moves away from real-time conversations into "deeper, structured communication" via their "Threads" feature. Instead of a group chat, users...

  • Twist vs Slack: The Calmer Way to Work
    twist.zendesk.com · May 2018

    Related articles Twist vs. Email: The More Organized Way to Work What are the benefits of using Twist with Todoist? How guests work in Twist How to use Twist and Todoist together Access & Security FAQs

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

SelfControl 79 mentions
Twist 23 mentions

View more

  • Show HN: Dock – Slack minus the bloat, tax, and 90-day memory loss
    The reasoning behind the product seems incredibly similar to Twist[0]. What would be the key differences besides “new is always better”? [0]: https://twist.com. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Shopify is acquiring the Threads team
    If you are looking for an alternative that’s even more async than Threads, check out https://twist.com/ We (Doist) have been developing it since 2015. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • A list of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS offerings that have free tiers of interest to devops and infradev
    Twist.com — An asynchronous-friendly team communication app where conversations stay organized and on-topic. Free and Unlimited plans are available. Discounts are provided for eligible teams. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago

View more

Alternatives to SelfControl and Twist

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

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