Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SelfControl VS Years Progress

Compare SelfControl VS Years Progress 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.

Years Progress logo Years Progress

The one extension to remind you about years progress
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • Years Progress Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-31

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.

Years Progress features and specs

  • Visual Progress Tracking
    Years Progress provides a clear visual representation of the progress through the year, helping users stay aware of how much time has passed and how much is remaining.
  • Motivational
    Seeing the year's progress can motivate users to work towards their goals and manage their time more effectively by providing a constant reminder of passing time.
  • Minimalistic Design
    The extension features a simple and minimalistic design that doesn't clutter the browser's interface, making it appealing for users who prefer a clean look.
  • Easy Installation
    Being a Chrome extension, it is easy to install and requires no complex setup, allowing users to quickly add it to their browsing experience.

Possible disadvantages of Years Progress

  • Limited Functionality
    The extension primarily focuses on displaying the yearโ€™s progress, which some users may find too basic or lacking additional productivity features.
  • Potential Anxiety Trigger
    For some users, constantly seeing how much of the year has passed can create stress or anxiety about achieving their goals on time.
  • Browser Dependency
    As a Chrome extension, its functionality is limited to the Chrome browser, which means users who switch browsers frequently may not find it useful.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users might be concerned about privacy, as is common with browser extensions, although there is no specific mention of data collection for this extension.

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

Years Progress videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SelfControl and Years Progress)
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
92 92%
8% 8
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Habit Building
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 / 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 / 5 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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Years Progress mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Years Progress yet. Tracking of Years Progress recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SelfControl and Years Progress, 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!

Year In Progress - Day / month / year progress bars ๐Ÿ“Š in your taskbar

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

Time Progress - Don't waste your time ๐Ÿ•

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

Newsfeed Burner - Burn away distractions on Facebook, Linkedin and Youtube