Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ZipMessage VS SelfControl

Compare ZipMessage VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

ZipMessage logo ZipMessage

ZipMessage replaces live meetings with asynchronous conversations.

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.
  • ZipMessage Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

ZipMessage features and specs

  • Asynchronous Communication
    ZipMessage allows users to communicate asynchronously via video and text messages, enabling flexible communication without the need for real-time engagement.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of sending, receiving, and managing messages.
  • Integration Capabilities
    ZipMessage supports integration with various tools like Slack, Trello, and others, allowing users to streamline their workflows.
  • Screen Sharing and Video Messaging
    Users can share their screens and use video messaging to convey information more effectively than text alone.
  • Conversation History
    The platform saves conversation history, allowing users to refer back to previous messages for context and continuity.

Possible disadvantages of ZipMessage

  • Limited Real-Time Interaction
    While great for asynchronous communication, ZipMessage may not be ideal for scenarios that require immediate feedback or real-time conversation.
  • Potential Over-Reliance
    Users might become overly reliant on messaging and reduce the frequency of direct, live interactions, which can be crucial for certain team dynamics.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a slight learning curve in adapting from traditional email or messaging systems to ZipMessage's format and features.
  • Depends on Internet Connectivity
    As a cloud-based application, effective use of ZipMessage requires a stable internet connection, which could be a limitation in areas with unstable connectivity.

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.

ZipMessage videos

ZipMessage Demo

More videos:

  • Review - ZipMessage - The async video message tool for remote work
  • Review - Coaching Automation With ZipMessage & FluentCRM

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 ZipMessage and SelfControl)
Productivity
32 32%
68% 68
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100
Messaging
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 seems to be a lot more popular than ZipMessage. While we know about 79 links to SelfControl, we've tracked only 1 mention of ZipMessage. 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.

ZipMessage mentions (1)

  • Upcoming AmA w/Brian Casel: "I went: freelance designer โ†’ built and sold 10 products (sold 5 in 6 months last year) โ†’ Now Running ZipMessage, my fastest growing SaaS yet. AMA!"
    I'm Brian Casel, a solo founder and product designer of ZipMessage.  It's a video messaging tool designed to replace meetings with async conversations.  You can share a ZipMessage link with anyone and they can respond to you on video right in the browser. Source: over 4 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 / 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
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What are some alternatives?

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

Orbital - Orbital is an Arcade, Puzzle and Single-player video game created by Bitforge Ltd.

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!

Noor - Chat like you're in the office together

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

Claap - Better than emails, faster than meetings.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat