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wallabag VS SelfControl

Compare wallabag VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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Exercise dataset for fitness apps: transparent background, animations, no subscription sponsored
Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

wallabag logo wallabag

Save the web, freely.

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.
  • wallabag Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-03
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

wallabag features and specs

  • Open Source
    Wallabag is an open-source application, meaning its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance.
  • Self-Hosting
    Users can self-host Wallabag, providing full control over data privacy and security.
  • Cross-Platform
    Wallabag has applications for multiple platforms, including web, Android, and iOS, ensuring wide accessibility.
  • Offline Access
    Content saved in Wallabag can be accessed offline, which is useful for reading articles without an internet connection.
  • Customizable
    Being open-source, Wallabag can be customized to fit specific needs or integrate with other tools and services.
  • Import/Export Feature
    Wallabag allows users to import and export their saved content in various formats, making data migration easier.
  • Support for Multiple Formats
    Wallabag can save content from a wide range of sources and formats, providing a versatile reading experience.

Possible disadvantages of wallabag

  • Technical Complexity
    Setting up a self-hosted Wallabag instance can be technically complex and may require familiarity with server management.
  • Interface Usability
    Some users may find the interface less user-friendly compared to other read-it-later services.
  • Potential Performance Issues
    Performance issues can arise, especially if the hosting server is underpowered or not properly configured.
  • Limited Official Support
    As an open-source project, official support is limited, relying on community help which might not always be timely.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    New users might face a steeper learning curve in understanding how to fully utilize all features of Wallabag.

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 wallabag

Overall verdict

  • Wallabag is a solid choice for those seeking a self-hosted, privacy-focused read-it-later service. It offers a robust set of features and flexibility that can cater to the needs of avid readers and tech enthusiasts who prefer open-source solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Wallabag is an open-source read-it-later application that allows users to save web articles for offline reading, stripping away unnecessary elements for a clean reading experience. It offers features such as customizable reading styles, tagging, annotation, and syncing across devices. This can be particularly appealing for users who value privacy and control over their saved content, as they can self-host the application.

Recommended for

    Wallabag is recommended for users who appreciate open-source software, self-hosting capabilities, and prioritizing privacy. It's ideal for individuals who want to organize and read web content without distractions, and have the technical skills to set up and manage the application on their own servers.

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.

wallabag videos

+ Add

My Overview of the Wallabag Read It Later Service Which You Can Self-Host For Free

More videos:

  • Review - Wallabag on Terminal.com
  • Review - GNOME 3.36: Read It Later 0.0.2 - Wallabag GTK/Rust Client
  • Review - Quick Look - Wallabag for Saving Articles and Websites
  • Review - Wallabag - Save Web Pages for Later on Docker
  • Review - Wallabag. It's like pocket but not stupid

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 wallabag and SelfControl)

wallabag

SelfControl

Bookmark Manager
100 100%
Bookmark Manager
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100
Bookmarks
100 100%
Bookmarks
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
Time Management
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 wallabag and SelfControl

wallabag Reviews

11 Pocket Alternatives You Must Try Out!
With addons for Chrome and Firefox, saving and bookmarking content real quick has become a reality with Wallabag. You can even categorize your bookmarks through tags and retrieve your saved content anytime!
Source: blog.elink.io
10 Best Apps like Pocket in 2021 - Pocket Alternatives
Wallabag looks to be a strong contender for those looking for a free open-sourcePocket alternative that includes most of the essential tools for managing bookmarks. It doesnโ€™t have a particularly appealing interface or a plethora of appealing features. However, it has a high score for simplicity and easy-to-use parameters, making it convenient. The app creates a comfortable...
Source: asoftclick.com

SelfControl Reviews

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

wallabag mentions (19)

  • KOreader
    I am using koreader.rocks on my ereader and KOreader has a native support for https://wallabag.org/. They are both fantastic opensource projects, whenever I like to read something I am sending them to my wallabag and therefore I can easily have them on my ereader too. Also the fact that you can install different plugin on KOreader and customize it in a way you like is fantastic. - Source: Hacker News / 18 days ago
  • Ask HN: Does a good "read it later" app exist?
    I moved to a self-hosted Wallabag (https://wallabag.org/) after Pocket shut down. Not the sexiest but does everything I need it to. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Mozilla shutdown Pocket on July 8, 2025
    I'm looking into setting up Wallabag for myself, maybe it could work for you too? https://wallabag.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Mozilla shutdown Pocket on July 8, 2025
    I use KOReader [1] on my Kobo. It supports Wallabag [2]. Wallabag offers both hosted [3] and self-hosted options. There's also a standalone kobo client for Wallabag [4]. In addition, Wallabag also supports direct import from Pocket. [1] https://koreader.rocks/ [2] https://wallabag.org/ [3] https://www.wallabag.it/en [4] https://gitlab.com/anarcat/wallabako. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Trust in Firefox and Mozilla Is Gone โ€“ Let's Talk Alternatives
    Instapaper[1] and Wallabag[2] would be the two main alternatives to Pocket, I think. Wallabag is self-hosting although I believe there are hosted services around as well. Cannot get either of them to integrate with my Kobo ereader like Pocket does, though. :-( [1] https://www.instapaper.com/ [2] https://wallabag.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

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
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

Raindrop.io - All your articles, photos, video & content from web & apps in one place.

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!

Instapaper - Instapaper is a simple tool to save web pages for reading later.

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

Email This - Save ad-free articles and web pages and articles to your email inbox for reading later.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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