Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Worktivity

Compare SelfControl VS Worktivity 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.

Worktivity logo Worktivity

A comprehensive productivity suite for workforce engagement
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Worktivity Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-15

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.

Worktivity features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Worktivity provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface that makes it accessible for users of all technical levels.
  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    The platform offers a wide range of features that streamline project management, including task tracking, collaboration tools, and analytics.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize their dashboard and workflows to suit their specific needs, improving productivity and user satisfaction.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Worktivity can integrate with various other tools and services, helping teams incorporate it smoothly into their existing workflows.
  • Robust Support
    The platform provides strong customer support through multiple channels, ensuring that users receive help promptly when needed.

Possible disadvantages of Worktivity

  • Cost
    The service may be priced higher than some competitors, which could be a barrier for small businesses or startups.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    While feature-rich, some users may find the full range of options initially overwhelming, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Worktivity offers limited functionality, which may necessitate upgrading to a paid plan for full access.
  • Mobile Functionality
    Though mobile-friendly, the platform's mobile applications might lack some features available on the desktop version.
  • Feature Overlap
    Some users might find feature overlap with tools they are already using, leading to redundancy in workflow mechanisms.

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 Worktivity

Overall verdict

  • Worktivity is a solid employee monitoring and productivity tracking tool that helps teams measure activity, manage time, and improve workforce efficiency, making it a good choice for businesses seeking visibility into remote and in-office work.

Why this product is good

  • Offers time tracking and automatic activity monitoring to help understand how work hours are spent
  • Provides productivity analytics and reporting to identify bottlenecks and improve efficiency
  • Supports remote and hybrid teams with screenshots, app and website usage insights
  • Includes attendance and timesheet features that reduce manual administrative work
  • Generally offers a user-friendly interface and affordable pricing for small to medium businesses

Recommended for

  • Remote and hybrid teams needing visibility into work activity
  • Small and medium-sized businesses looking to improve productivity
  • Managers who want detailed time tracking and attendance reporting
  • Agencies and outsourcing firms that bill by hours worked
  • Companies aiming to optimize workforce efficiency and accountability

SelfControl videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Worktivity videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Worktivity)
Time Tracking
90 90%
10% 10
Project Management
0 0%
100% 100
Time Management
94 94%
6% 6
Productivity
88 88%
12% 12

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

Worktivity mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Worktivity yet. Tracking of Worktivity recommendations started around Jul 2023.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Worktivity, 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!

Tivazo - Track your teamโ€™s work hours, boost Productivity and Manage Payroll with Detailed Work Hour Reports with Tivazo.

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

Privio Tracker - Privio Tracker gives a 360-degree solution for employee timekeeping, highlighting robust capabilities such as time-tracking, employee management, expense tracking, payroll processing, and much more.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

umany People by Hoytrabajas - Enhances communication, management and employee motivation