Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Working Copy VS SelfControl

Compare Working Copy VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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.

Working Copy logo Working Copy

The powerful Git client for iOS

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.
  • Working Copy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Working Copy features and specs

  • User Interface
    Working Copy features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes navigating through repositories, committing changes, and pushing updates seamless even for beginners.
  • File Management
    It offers robust file management capabilities, allowing users to easily view, edit, and manage files directly within the app, a crucial feature for developers on the go.
  • Integration
    Working Copy integrates well with other iOS apps and services, enabling smooth workflow transitions between different tools and platforms.
  • Support for Multiple Repositories
    The app supports multiple repositories, which is beneficial for developers who work on various projects simultaneously.
  • Offline Capabilities
    Working Copy allows users to work offline with local repositories, syncing changes when back online, enabling productivity in environments without internet access.
  • SSH Key Management
    It includes robust SSH key management, ensuring secure and streamlined authentication for remote repository access.

Possible disadvantages of Working Copy

  • Cost
    While the basic features are free, some advanced functionalities require a paid subscription, which might be a drawback for budget-conscious users.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the abundance of features can be overwhelming for new users, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Limited Platform
    The app is available exclusively for iOS, which restricts accessibility for developers who use other platforms like Android or Windows.
  • Performance with Large Repositories
    Some users report performance issues when handling very large repositories, affecting the app's efficiency in such scenarios.
  • Editing Capabilities
    While it offers basic editing functionalities, Working Copy lacks some of the more advanced code editing features found in dedicated code editors.

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 Working Copy

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Working Copy is considered a good app for developers who need a mobile solution for managing Git repositories. Its reliability and feature set make it a vital tool for those who prefer or need to work from iOS devices.

Why this product is good

  • Working Copy is highly regarded for its robust Git support on iOS devices, offering a wide range of features that facilitate efficient version control. It supports various Git operations like cloning, committing, pushing, and pulling straight from an iPhone or iPad. The app is praised for its intuitive user interface, seamless integration with cloud services, and its efficient use of device capabilities, making it a powerful tool for developers who need to manage their repositories on the go.

Recommended for

  • Developers who frequently work on Git repositories and need mobile access.
  • iOS users who require a robust version control tool.
  • Teams that collaborate on projects remotely and move between desktop and mobile environments.

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.

Working Copy videos

Using Git on iPad with Textastic and Working Copy

More videos:

  • Review - Obsidian: Capture on iOS with Drafts and Working Copy - Effective Remote Work

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 Working Copy and SelfControl)
Git
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Code Collaboration
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Working Copy mentions (18)

  • 37signals Introduces Once โ€“ One time payment software
    Even better is the licensing model where you can keep using the version as-is after the subscription ends. You just don't get any new features. It's even possible to do on iOS, as Working Copy [0] is doing it. (You also get all the bug fixes and stuff, only new features are behind a flag that requires you to purchase another year of updates. I would also argue that Working Copy specifically is too cheap, but I... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • How I set up an almost fully automatic free Sync between Win, Android, iOS using Git.
    Yeah, Working Copy is a proper Git front-end which helps do safe syncing, via features such as:. Source: over 3 years ago
  • [Newbie] How could I prevent git conflicts and make this system better?
    So I have a laptop and a iPhone. On laptop I have the Obsidian.md desktop app, on iPhone I have the app and Working Copy app too. This is all for syncing my notes. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Show HN: Jot: Rapid note management for the terminal, inspired by Obsidian
    > It uses the same format of storage as Obsidian... Can Obsidian and Jot co-mingle in the same vault? I use Obsidian and am very happy with the git plugin[0] and Working Copy(iOS)[1] for keeping things automatically synced between my phone and desktop(s). Often I find myself dumping notes into random places from the terminal; feeding markdown via pipes. But I then have to remember to collect these artifacts and... - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
  • Are there any good git viewers/browsers for iOS?
    This is the only one I've heard people use: https://workingcopyapp.com/. Source: about 4 years 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 / 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
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

CodeHub - CodeHub is the most complete, unofficial, client for GitHub on the iOS platform.

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!

Git2Go - The Git client for iPhone and iPad you always wanted

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

Diff So Fancy - Make Git diffs look good

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat