Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Text Blaze VS SelfControl

Compare Text Blaze VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Text Blaze logo Text Blaze

Save time by eliminating repetitive typing

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.
  • Text Blaze Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-14
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Text Blaze features and specs

  • Time Efficiency
    Text Blaze allows users to save and reuse snippets of text, which can significantly speed up data entry and response times.
  • Customization
    Offers extensive customization options, including dynamic fields and templates, to fit a wide range of use cases.
  • Integration
    Integrates seamlessly with a variety of platforms like Gmail, Google Docs, and Salesforce, enhancing its utility.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Intuitive user interface that makes it easy for users to create, manage, and deploy text snippets.
  • Improve Accuracy
    Reduces the chance of errors by allowing users to insert pre-defined snippets instead of typing the same text repeatedly.

Possible disadvantages of Text Blaze

  • Learning Curve
    New users may find it challenging to set up and maximize the use of features, requiring time to learn.
  • Subscription Cost
    Some of the more advanced features are behind a paywall, potentially making it less accessible for users not willing to invest in a subscription.
  • Platform Limitations
    May not be fully compatible with all applications, limiting its utility in niche or unsupported environments.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users need to upload their text snippets to the platform, which might raise privacy concerns depending on the content.
  • Over-reliance
    Heavy reliance on the tool can lead to a lack of engagement or understanding of the information being communicated.

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 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.

Text Blaze videos

Use Text Blaze to Dramatically Improve and Speed Up Your Online Work

More videos:

  • Review - The Fastest Way to Speed Up Your Work! (Text Blaze)
  • Tutorial - How to get started with Text Blaze

SelfControl videos

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 Text Blaze and SelfControl)
Productivity
51 51%
49% 49
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Chrome Extensions
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Text Blaze and SelfControl

Text Blaze Reviews

7 Best Alfred Alternatives To Maximize Your Productivity
Yes, we did put Text Blaze as #1, but let me explain. Our users will tell you that Text Blaze is an incredibly useful productivity tool because it helps them reduce the amount of time they spend on repetitive typing tasks, which allows them to focus on other work that matters.
Source: blaze.today

SelfControl Reviews

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than Text Blaze. 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.

Text Blaze mentions (49)

  • Learn AutoHotKey by stealing my scripts
    We built Text Blaze [0] a Chrome Extension [1] that supports a lot of similar capabilities. It lets you do text expansions on any website using hotkeys, include dynamic values like the date a week from today in your snippets, build form UI's [2], and include dynamic logic using formulas and if-statements [3] (it uses a dynamic reactivity model for formula's similar to spreadsheets). One thing we are really excited... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Coworker resigned after reaching 10 years and getting his final raise.
    Hey there! I couldn't help but notice the top post on r/antiwork and I wanted to chime in with an interesting perspective. It seems like many of you are frustrated with the lack of appreciation and fair compensation at your jobs. I totally get it! ๐Ÿ˜… Here's a fun fact: did you know that studies have shown that happier employees are more productive? A study by the University of Warwick found that happiness led to a... Source: about 3 years ago
  • LinkedIn is depressing
    Hey everyone! I couldn't help but notice the top post about the decline in LinkedIn engagement. It's funny how LinkedIn has evolved over the years, right? ๐Ÿ˜„ I mean, it started as a professional networking platform, and now it's like Facebook and Tinder had a baby that wears a suit and tie. ๐Ÿ‘”๐Ÿ’ผ But let's not forget that LinkedIn still has its merits, especially when it comes to job hunting and professional... Source: over 3 years ago
  • I have tried to be rich since I was 12. This is my story and what I have learned.
    Hey VitaliySEO! ๐Ÿ™Œ Your journey has been quite the rollercoaster, but it's awesome to see how you've grown and evolved over the years. I totally agree with you on the importance of patience and time when starting a business. ๐Ÿ’ฏ One thing that stood out to me was when you mentioned getting 100 kids to make events on Facebook and invite all their friends. That's some serious hustling and networking skills! ๐Ÿ˜Ž It just... Source: about 3 years ago
  • What questions would you ask if you get a 20 minute slot with a C level product officer from one of the FAANG companies?
    Hey u/EbtihajKhan! That's an amazing opportunity to chat with a C-level product officer from a FAANG company. ๐Ÿš€ One question I'd ask is, "How do you balance innovation and user experience while maintaining a competitive edge in the market?" It's interesting to note that according to a PwC survey, 94% of executives consider innovation as a top priority, but only 35% believe their organizations are good at it.... Source: about 3 years ago
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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
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Text Blaze and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

AutoKey - A Python 3 port of AutoKey, the desktop automation utility for Linux and X11.

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!

Microsoft Power Automate - Microsoft Power Automate is an automation platform that integrates DPA, RPA, and process mining. It lets you automate your organization at scale using low-code and AI.

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

Puloverโ€™s Macro Creator - Puloverโ€™s Macro Creator is a Free Automation Tool and Script Generator.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat