Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Type VS SelfControl

Compare Type VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Type logo Type

The AI-first document editor.

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.
  • Type Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-09
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Type features and specs

  • Enhanced Productivity
    Type speeds up the writing process by automating routine tasks such as grammar correction and formatting, allowing users to focus on content.
  • AI-Powered Assistance
    Leverages advanced AI algorithms to provide intelligent writing suggestions, improving the quality of the text.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, reducing the learning curve for new users.
  • Collaboration Features
    Includes tools for real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously.

Possible disadvantages of Type

  • Cost
    Subscription fees can be high, posing a barrier for individual users or small businesses with limited budgets.
  • Privacy Concerns
    The use of cloud-based AI tools can raise privacy issues, as sensitive information may be processed on remote servers.
  • Internet Dependency
    Requires a stable internet connection for full functionality, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Limitations in Creativity
    AI-generated suggestions might stifle original thought, as users might rely too heavily on automated inputs.

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.

Type videos

MORE FUN Than A Super Car! // 2023 Civic Type R Review

More videos:

  • Review - Types Of Literature Review
  • Review - New Honda Civic Type R review: Is it really better?

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 Type and SelfControl)
Productivity
44 44%
56% 56
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Writing Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than Type. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Type. 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.

Type mentions (3)

  • Ask HN: What's your favorite GPT powered tool?
    https://type.ai It has embedded GPT4 in a way that more natural for long form content. Have tried about another 7 ai text generators/editors and so far is the best. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • RANT: GROW UP, OpenAI!
    My worst experience was when I copied a bit of historical novel into type.ai creative writing tool and after describing a powerful king the hints to continue the story were all like " The king's behavior has led to a breakdown of social norms and values in the country. " " The king's behavior has led to increased crime and lawlessness in the kingdom. "The king's mistreatment of women has led to a rise in... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Launch HN: Type (YC W23) โ€“ AI-powered document editor
    Hi HN, we're Stew and Stefan from Type (https://type.ai/ And hereโ€™s a demo that includes math and code blocks: https://type.ai/code-math-demos, weโ€™d love to hear what you think. We think Type feels pretty different from other AI writing tools that produce fairly shallow content, but would love to get your honest feedback on whether we're hitting the mark. Each account comes with a free allocation of AI commands,... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

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 Type and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

ButterDocs - Writing projects without the chaos

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!

iA Writer - Minimal Design, Maximum Focus

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

Orchard - Orchard is a free, open source, community-focused content management system written in ASP.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat