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Speedtest.net VS SelfControl

Compare Speedtest.net VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Speedtest.net logo Speedtest.net

Test your Internet connection bandwidth to locations around the world with this interactive broadband speed test from Ookla

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.
  • Speedtest.net Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Speedtest.net features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Speedtest.net offers a straightforward, visually appealing interface that makes it easy for users of all technical skill levels to measure their internet speed quickly.
  • Global Server Network
    The platform has a vast network of test servers around the world, ensuring accurate results by connecting to the closest server to minimize latency and other external factors.
  • Detailed Results
    Provides comprehensive details including download, upload speeds, and ping, giving users a full picture of their internet performance.
  • Mobile App Availability
    Speedtest.net offers mobile applications for both iOS and Android, allowing users to test their internet speed on various devices.
  • Graphical Data Representation
    The service includes visual representations of speed test data over time, aiding users in understanding their internet performance history.
  • Comparative Data
    Users can compare their results with average speeds for their ISP, city, or country, providing context for their performance.

Possible disadvantages of Speedtest.net

  • Advertisements
    The free version of Speedtest.net includes ads, which can be distracting and potentially slow down the webpage.
  • Limited Free Features
    Advanced features, such as detailed analysis and tracking, are only available in the premium version.
  • Potential Bias Toward ISPs
    Some critics argue that Speedtest.net may show favorable results for certain ISPs due to partnerships and server locations.
  • Data Privacy
    As a third-party service, there are concerns about how user data is collected, stored, and potentially shared with advertisers or partners.
  • Single-Purpose
    Speedtest.net focuses purely on speed testing and doesn't offer broader network diagnostics tools, limiting its utility for more in-depth troubleshooting.
  • Requires Strong Internet for Accurate Results
    In cases of very poor connectivity, the results may not be accurate or the test might fail to complete, leaving users without valuable insights.

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.

Analysis of Speedtest.net

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Speedtest.net is considered a good tool for testing internet speeds due to its reliability, ease of use, and comprehensive features.

Why this product is good

  • Speedtest.net is a well-known tool for measuring internet connection speeds, providing accurate data on download and upload speeds and ping. It has a large network of testing servers worldwide, which helps in getting reliable results. The user interface is straightforward and easy to use, even for non-technical users. It also offers historical data tracking and is available on multiple platforms, including web, mobile apps, and APIs for integration into other services.

Recommended for

    Individuals who want to check their internet speed quickly and easily, IT professionals who need to diagnose network issues, developers who require speed testing integration into their applications, and businesses that need consistent and reliable network performance assessment.

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.

Speedtest.net videos

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Add video

SelfControl videos

+ Add

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

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Speedtest.net and SelfControl)

Speedtest.net

SelfControl

Speed Test
100 100%
Speed Test
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100
Developer Tools
100 100%
Developer Tools
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
Time Management
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Speedtest.net seems to be a lot more popular than SelfControl. While we know about 2938 links to Speedtest.net, we've tracked only 79 mentions of SelfControl. 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.

Speedtest.net mentions (2938)

  • Streaming the 2026 Winter Olympics: A Developer's Guide to Live Sports IPTV
    Pro tip: Run a speed test immediately before the event. Don't trust your "up to 100 Mbps" ISP claim. Use fast.com or speedtest.net to get real numbers. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Frustrated due to low speeds. Usually 300mbps in the day.
    For starters, disconnect all wireless devices (or just your wireless router if itโ€™s separate from your modem). Hardwire your modem to a computer and use Ookla Speedtest instead of Spectrumโ€™s. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is this good speed?
    Websites like speedtest.net, fast.com and etc do provide measurement in megabits, and even with that, speedtest.net provides it between you and your ISP(mostly) only. So if you want to download something from lets say, YouTube, the speed will be slightly different because now you're connecting to Google's server, not your ISP's server. This is because speedtest.net has partnership with ISPs so that speedtest.net... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Help!!! FPS AND downloading games speeds.
    If fast.com and speedtest.net are fast, then it's not the computer or your internet. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Still trouble shooting
    Hi there. I definitely understand the frustration with slow download speeds. Are you able to run a speed test on speedtest.net to see what results you are getting on that computer? Are you having slow speeds on all devices or just this computer particularly? ^David. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

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 / 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

What are some alternatives?

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

Fast.com - Quickly test your internet speed with this fast-loading speed test powered by Netflix.

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!

Testmy.net - Accurately test your Internet connection speed with this powerful broadband speed test. Improve your bandwidth speed with the truth.

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

SpeedOf.Me - SpeedOf.Me is an HTML5 Internet speed test. No Flash or Java needed!

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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