Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Write App VS SelfControl

Compare Write App 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.

Write App logo Write App

No-distraction writing tool for your productivity.

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.
  • Write App Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-23
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Write App features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Write App features a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for users of all tech proficiency levels.
  • Distraction-Free Writing
    The app provides a minimalistic writing environment that helps users stay focused by eliminating unnecessary distractions and interruptions.
  • Markdown Support
    Write App supports Markdown, allowing users to format their text effectively and export it easily to various formats like HTML, PDF, and more.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    The app is available on multiple platforms, enabling users to access their work from different devices seamlessly.
  • Autosave Feature
    Write App includes an autosave feature that ensures users do not lose their work due to unexpected shutdowns or accidental closures.

Possible disadvantages of Write App

  • Limited Collaboration Tools
    The app lacks advanced collaboration features, making it less suitable for teams who need to work on documents simultaneously in real-time.
  • Subscription Cost
    Write App operates on a subscription model, which might be a deterrent for users looking for a free writing tool.
  • No Offline Mode
    The app requires an internet connection to function, limiting its use in environments where connectivity is an issue.
  • Limited Customization Options
    Users may find the customization options for themes and layouts to be limited compared to other writing tools.
  • Basic Editing Tools
    The app offers basic text editing tools but lacks more advanced features like grammar checking and style suggestions.

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 Write App

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Write App is considered good for users who prioritize simplicity and efficiency in their writing process, particularly for individual writers, academics, and creative professionals.

Why this product is good

  • Write App is designed to provide a distraction-free writing environment, making it appealing for users looking to focus purely on content creation. It offers a clean interface and useful features like version history, cloud sync, and collaboration tools for teams.

Recommended for

  • Freelance writers who need a streamlined writing tool
  • Students and academics looking for a dedicated space for drafting papers
  • Creative writers focusing on fiction or non-fiction projects
  • Teams looking for collaborative writing features

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.

Write App videos

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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 Write App and SelfControl)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Writing Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
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 Write App and SelfControl

Write App Reviews

7 Best Scrivener Alternatives
Write! Application is a writing tool application that helps you to write in a distraction-free environment. The Write! application offers the option to disallow any distraction that could distract from your writing activity.
17 Top Evernote Alternatives for Note-Taking for 2019
Tags, passcode lock, text formatting. The Write app has everything Evernote has, plus syntax highlighting, distraction-free mode, and live word counts.

SelfControl Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SelfControl seems to be a lot more popular than Write App. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Write App. 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.

Write App mentions (2)

  • Nothing Related to the Write! App or its Website are Working
    The twitter handle for write! App leads to this site - https://writeapp.co/ - which is clearly not the writing app I paid 20 bucks for. Source: over 3 years ago
  • What program do you guys use to write?
    I'm also still trying out Write! Which was recommended here on this sub a while ago. It has a cloud so I can open it from all my computers, but sadly not from mobile. But I only use mobile for jotting down notes, anyway, so I use Docs for that. What I like about Write! Is that you have an overview of your document in the sidebar and it highlights where in your document you are right now. It's also nice that you... Source: about 5 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 / 4 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 / 5 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
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What are some alternatives?

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

iA Writer - Minimal Design, Maximum Focus

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!

Refly - Refly es una plataforma que pone en contacto a personas que quieren vender sus vuelos para que alguien mรกs pueda hacer uso de รฉl; asรญ el vendedor no pierde su dinero y el comprador puede viajar ahorrando dinero.

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

Hemingway - Hemingway App makes your writing bold and clear.

Focus App - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.