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Thought Train VS SelfControl

Compare Thought Train 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

Thought Train logo Thought Train

Stop using sticky notes to remember what you're doing ๐Ÿ“’ ๐Ÿšซ

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.
  • Thought Train Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-01
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Thought Train features and specs

  • Simplicity
    Thought Train offers a straightforward and easy-to-use interface that allows users to quickly jot down their thoughts and ideas.
  • Cross-Platform
    The tool can be used on various devices and platforms, providing flexibility and convenience for users who switch between multiple devices.
  • Quick Access
    Thought Train provides rapidly accessible note-taking, ensuring that users can capture ideas without delay.
  • Focused
    The application is designed to help users focus on their thoughts without the distraction of unnecessary features and functionalities.

Possible disadvantages of Thought Train

  • Limited Features
    Due to its simplicity, Thought Train may lack some advanced features that other note-taking applications offer.
  • Cloud Dependency
    Reliance on cloud-based storage can be a drawback for users who prefer offline access or have concerns about data privacy.
  • UI/UX Constraints
    The minimalistic design might not appeal to all users, particularly those who prefer a richer user experience with more customization options.
  • Pricing
    If there are any costs associated with the full version of the tool, this could be a disadvantage for users seeking a free option.
  • Website Issues
    The link provided leads to a suspended page, which may indicate potential reliability or maintenance issues with the service.

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 Thought Train

Overall verdict

  • Thought Train is a good option for users looking for a lightweight, unobtrusive task manager that excels in functionality and ease of use, especially for those who appreciate a clean design and simple operations.

Why this product is good

  • Thought Train is valued by its users for its simplicity and minimalistic design that helps to keep track of tasks and ideas without overwhelming features. It's particularly popular for its effectiveness in managing simple to-do lists and providing a ribbon interface that stays visible while working on other tasks. This facilitates quick input and retrieval of thoughts, enhancing productivity for those who need a straightforward tool for note-taking.

Recommended for

    It's recommended for professionals, students, and anyone who needs a quick-access tool to jot down ideas throughout the day, or for those who find bulky task management applications overwhelming and prefer a more stripped-down approach.

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.

Thought Train videos

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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 Thought Train and SelfControl)

Thought Train

SelfControl

Productivity
36 36%
Productivity
64% 64
Time Tracking
0 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100
Task Management
100 100%
Task Management
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
Time Management
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.

Thought Train mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Thought Train yet. Tracking of Thought Train recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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 / 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
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Thought Train and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

Whimsical - The visual workspace for teams.

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!

Gone - An ephemeral to-do list

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

Jot - The no-fuss way to take notes

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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