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Timing VS SelfControl

Compare Timing VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Timing

Timing is the best way to keep track of the time you spend with your Mac.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
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.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
Sugarbug
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Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SelfControl should be more popular than Timing. It has been mentioned 79 times since March 2021.

social mentions
23 vs 79
Time Tracking popularity
62% vs 38%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 236

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Timing
SelfControl
Website timingapp.com selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Time Tracking Invoicing Time Management Project Management +1
Productivity Time Management Websites Blocker Time Tracking +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Timing 5 features
SelfControl 4 features
  • Comprehensive Time Tracking
    Timing automatically tracks how you spend time on your Mac, providing detailed insights into your productivity and time management.
  • Automatic Categorization
    The app intelligently categorizes activities, reducing the need for manual input, and making it easier to understand where your time goes.
  • Detailed Reports
    Timing offers robust reporting features, allowing users to generate detailed reports that can be customized to show specific time usage and productivity metrics.
  • Privacy Focused
    Timing ensures that all data is kept private and stored locally on your device, addressing concerns about data privacy and security.
  • Integrations
    The app offers integrations with popular productivity tools such as calendar applications and task managers, streamlining workflow management.

Possible disadvantages

  • Mac-Only
    Timing is only available for macOS, limiting its use to users within the Apple ecosystem and excluding Windows and Linux users.
  • Subscription Model
    The app operates on a subscription basis, which may be less appealing to users who prefer one-time purchases over recurring costs.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the comprehensive features and settings overwhelming initially, requiring time to fully understand and utilize all functionalities.
  • No Mobile App
    There is no mobile app available, limiting time tracking capabilities to desktop use only and missing out on mobile-centric workflows.
  • Price
    Timing is relatively expensive compared to some other time tracking solutions, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious individuals or small businesses.
  • 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

  • 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

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Timing
SelfControl

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Timing is a highly regarded productivity app, especially for macOS users.

Why this product is good

  • Timing is praised for its automatic time tracking capabilities, allowing users to understand how they spend their time without the manual start-stop process. It offers insightful reports and analytics, which can help users improve their productivity and time management. The app's ability to categorize activities automatically and the provision of manual adjustments offer flexibility and precision in tracking time.

Recommended for

  • Freelancers who need detailed tracking for client billing.
  • Professionals seeking to optimize their productivity.
  • Anyone interested in understanding their digital habits.
  • macOS users, as the app is primarily designed for this platform.

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Timing 3 videos + Add
SelfControl 2 videos + Add

Review of Nature and Timing of the Resurrection Debate Part 3

More videos

  • - Timing 2.0 review | features, pricing and thoughts
  • - Nav & Metro Boomin - PERFECT TIMING MIXTAPE Review

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

More videos

  • - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Timing
SelfControl
62% 62%
Time Tracking
38% 38%
69% 69%
Invoicing
31% 31%
60% 60%
Time Management
40% 40%
51% 51%
Productivity
49% 49%

User comments

Share your experience with using Timing and SelfControl. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Timing 23 mentions
SelfControl 79 mentions
  • Launch HN: PointOne (YC W24) – Automated time tracking for lawyers
    Timing.app is really good for this purpose. I use it every day, but I am not affiliated with the company in any way. Essentially it uses the accessibility features on MacOS to see what you are doing and generate time entries for you.... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • A collection of useful Mac Apps
    Timing - Price: $42/year or $7/month Automatic time tracking app for Mac that helps you track and analyze your time spent on different tasks and projects. Source: about 3 years ago
  • A Windows based alternative to the Timing App on Mac?
    I've been religiously utilising Timing for at least a year now. However I'm trying to find the closest Windows equivalent now that I'm using Windows on a semi-frequent basis. The features I most benefit from are its:. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Timing and SelfControl

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

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