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Upload.am VS SelfControl

Compare Upload.am VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

Upload.am

Free backup and sync with 25gb free space

Rating
0 reviews
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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
Promote on VibeVoted
Alternatives Is it good?
Insightful.io
The precision Work Intelligence for actionable bottom line impact and #1 workforce analytics software that shows how work actually happens: get real-time and historical data, understand productivity at every level, track AI adoption across your org. sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 80 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 80
Encrypted Cloud Storage popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
9 vs 240+

Base details

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

Upload.am
SelfControl
Website upload.am selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing
Official pricing
Open source
Company Startup from Armenia · 10 - 19 employees · 2026 —
Listed in
File Sharing And Backup File Sharing Cloud Storage Backup & Restore Encrypted Cloud Storage +2
Productivity Time Management Focus Health And Fitness +1

About Upload.am and SelfControl

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Upload.am
SelfControl

Upload.am for Windows is the official desktop client for the upload.am cloud file-hosting and sharing service. Point it at any folder on your computer and it backs that folder up automatically — new and changed files sync to your account within seconds via a live file-system watcher, not just on...

Read more about Upload.am

No description of SelfControl yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Upload.am 5 features
SelfControl 4 features
  • Simple file sharing
    Like most dedicated file hosts, it is built around uploading a file and getting a shareable download link. That is quick for sending large files without email attachment limits. I could not check the site live, so confirm the exact size limits yourself.
  • Possible earnings program
    Upload.am appears to be positioned as a file host that may reward uploaders based on downloads or traffic. This can appeal to people who distribute files widely. Payout rates and terms should be checked on the site.
  • Multilingual interface
    The /en in the URL suggests the site offers several language versions. That makes it more accessible to a global audience.
  • Low barrier to entry
    Free file hosts generally let users start uploading with little setup and at no cost. That makes the service convenient for occasional or one-off transfers.
  • Independent alternative to big cloud providers
    It can work as a lightweight option if you do not want to use Google Drive, Dropbox or similar services, or tie files to a major platform account.
  • 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.

Upload.am
SelfControl

No analysis of Upload.am yet.

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.

Upload.am 0 videos + Add
SelfControl 2 videos + Add

No Upload.am videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
Upload.am
SelfControl
100% 100%
Encrypted Cloud Storage
0% 0%
0% 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100%
100% 100%
File Sharing
0% 0%
0% 0%
Productivity
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Upload.am and SelfControl.

What makes your product unique?

Upload.am's answer

Most file-hosting services force a choice: either a classic cyberlocker with public links but ad-supported downloads and shady banners, or a clean personal cloud drive with no public-sharing controls at all. Upload.am does both in one account — a real personal cabinet (folders, search, versions, trash) plus cyberlocker-grade link controls (password protection, download limits, burn-after-download, expiring links) on an ad-free download page, for every plan including Free. On top of that, every account — free or paid — includes a no-logs VPN connection and official native apps for Windows and Android, not just a web dashboard.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Upload.am's answer

Because the free tier is a genuinely usable product, not a teaser. Free gives you 25 GB, unlimited download speed, no ads, and the same link controls (password, expiry, burn-after-download) that competitors reserve for paid plans. Paid tiers only raise storage and max file size — they don't unlock features that should have been free from day one. Storage runs on self-hosted, S3-compatible nodes rather than a markup on someone else's cloud, which is what makes giving away resumable transfers, terabyte-scale plans, and a free VPN on every account financially possible instead of a gimmick.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Upload.am's answer

Two overlapping groups. First, people who need to send or receive large files with real control over who can access them and for how long — freelancers and agencies sharing client deliverables, anyone tired of cyberlockers that bury the download button under ads. Second, people who want a straightforward personal cloud (backup, sync, browse from Windows/Android) without paying cloud-drive prices for basic sharing features, plus small teams that need a shared storage pool with folder-level permissions without adopting a full enterprise suite.

What's the story behind your product?

Upload.am's answer

Upload.am has been operating continuously since 2013, run by Leads.am (ArProduction LLC), based in Armenia — same small team behind it the whole time, not a reskinned white-label service. It started as a straightforward file host and grew into a full platform (Team workspaces, a Drop Room/Client Portal feature, official Windows and Android clients, its own VPN) by fixing real gaps as they showed up rather than chasing a feature checklist — resumable transfers so a dropped connection doesn't cost a 100 GB upload, a locked trash window so a compromised account can't be wiped in one click, terabyte-scale plans once gigabyte tiers stopped meaning anything.

User comments

Share your experience with using Upload.am 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.

Upload.am 0 mentions
SelfControl 80 mentions

Tracking Upload.am since Sep 2026.

  • No Forest app for PC? The 3 layers where Windows focus apps block distractions
    SelfControl's site calls it "a free Mac application", so no. The nearest Windows equivalents of its locked block are in Layer 3: Cold Turkey's locking features or Freedom's Locked Mode. (selfcontrolapp.com). - Source: dev.to / about 19 hours ago
  • 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 / 8 months ago
  • Kiki – The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted
    Happy to see it still exists, and free https://selfcontrolapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago

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Alternatives to Upload.am and SelfControl

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

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