Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS WorkMeter

Compare SelfControl VS WorkMeter and see what are their differences

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.

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.

WorkMeter logo WorkMeter

Soluciones digitales para la medición de tiempo
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • WorkMeter Dashboard empleados
    Dashboard empleados //
    2024-01-10
  • WorkMeter Calendario
    Calendario //
    2025-03-07
  • WorkMeter Actividad por dia
    Actividad por dia //
    2025-03-07
  • WorkMeter Aplicaciones
    Aplicaciones //
    2024-01-10
  • WorkMeter Productividad por tipo de dia
    Productividad por tipo de dia //
    2025-03-07
  • WorkMeter Managers y roles
    Managers y roles //
    2024-01-10
  • WorkMeter Proyectos
    Proyectos //
    2025-03-07
  • WorkMeter Datos financieros
    Datos financieros //
    2025-03-07

WorkMeter es una empresa española pionera en software SaaS para la medición automática de tiempos y cargas de trabajo. Su tecnología ofrece métricas precisas sobre actividad laboral, fichaje, calendarios, ausencias, uso de aplicaciones y costos en proyectos, integrables en dashboards empresariales para mejorar la productividad y la toma de decisiones basada en datos objetivos.

Su solución permite cumplir con normativas como el control horario, trabajo a distancia y desconexión digital, promoviendo transparencia, flexibilidad y bienestar laboral, siempre respetando la privacidad del empleado. Además, contribuye a la digitalización de RRHH, optimizando procesos y reduciendo costes.

Nuestras soluciones

Gestión del tiempo: Fichaje automático, control de horas extras, gestión de vacaciones, desconexión digital y optimización del trabajo en equipo.

Medición del desempeño: Evaluación de productividad, equilibrio de cargas de trabajo y validación del teletrabajo.

Gestión de proyectos: Imputación automática de actividad, medición de tiempos y costos, y control de avances y desviaciones.

Más de 50.000 usuarios en España y Latinoamérica confían en WorkMeter para mejorar la eficiencia y garantizar el cumplimiento normativo.

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.

WorkMeter features and specs

  • Automated Time Tracking
    WorkMeter automatically tracks how employees spend their time on various applications, websites, and tasks, reducing the need for manual time entry and providing accurate productivity data.
  • Objective Productivity Measurement
    The platform provides objective metrics and analytics on employee productivity, helping managers make data-driven decisions rather than relying on subjective assessments.
  • Privacy-Conscious Approach
    WorkMeter emphasizes a balance between monitoring and employee privacy, focusing on productivity metrics rather than invasive surveillance like screenshots or keystroke logging.
  • Detailed Reporting and Analytics
    The tool offers comprehensive reports and dashboards that break down work patterns, application usage, and time allocation, making it easier to identify inefficiencies and optimize workflows.
  • Support for Remote and Hybrid Work
    WorkMeter is well-suited for managing distributed teams, providing visibility into remote employee productivity without requiring physical presence in the office.

Possible disadvantages of WorkMeter

  • Employee Resistance
    As with most monitoring tools, employees may feel uncomfortable being tracked, which can lead to resistance, decreased morale, or a sense of distrust in the workplace.
  • Limited Brand Recognition
    WorkMeter is less well-known compared to major competitors like Hubstaff, Time Doctor, or ActivTrak, which may make it harder to find community support, third-party integrations, or peer reviews.
  • Potential Over-Reliance on Metrics
    The focus on automated productivity metrics may not capture the full picture of an employee's contributions, such as creative thinking, collaboration, or tasks performed offline.
  • Learning Curve for Configuration
    Setting up the tool properly—defining productive vs. unproductive applications and customizing categories for different roles—can require significant initial effort and ongoing maintenance.
  • Limited Integration Ecosystem
    WorkMeter may not integrate as seamlessly with a wide range of third-party project management, HR, or payroll tools compared to more established competitors in the market.

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 WorkMeter

Overall verdict

  • WorkMeter appears to be a time-tracking and productivity monitoring tool aimed at businesses wanting visibility into employee work hours and activity, but I don't have verified, up-to-date information confirming its current reliability, feature set, or customer satisfaction, so I can't give a fully confident endorsement.

Why this product is good

  • Time-tracking and productivity monitoring tools like this can help businesses gain insight into work patterns and improve accountability
  • May offer straightforward reporting features useful for payroll or client billing purposes
  • Likely designed to be simple to set up for small to medium teams
  • Could provide cost-effective monitoring compared to larger enterprise HR software suites

Recommended for

  • Small to medium businesses needing basic employee time tracking
  • Freelancers or agencies billing clients based on hours worked
  • Managers wanting simple productivity oversight without complex HR systems
  • Teams transitioning to remote or hybrid work needing activity visibility

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

WorkMeter videos

WorkMeter: Software de Control Horario y Gestión del Tiempo Automático ⏱️💻

More videos:

  • Review - Software de medición de productividad📈 ¡Optimiza el rendimiento de tu equipo!
  • Review - ¿Por qué elegir WorkMeter como software de registro horario? 🕑👌
  • Review - WorkMeter - Software de Control Horario

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and WorkMeter)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Gestión Del Tiempo
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Contractors
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using SelfControl and WorkMeter. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

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 – 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
View more

WorkMeter mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of WorkMeter yet. Tracking of WorkMeter recommendations started around Sep 2023.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and WorkMeter, 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!

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

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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

LeechBlock - LeechBlock is an extension for Firefox and Chrome that allows users to block time-wasting sites.

Forest App - Forest is an app that helps you stay focused on the important things in life.