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Best Productivity ResourcesBy Shushant LakhyaniVerified creator

Mac App

SelfControl

A free, open-source Mac app that blocks distracting websites until a timer runs out.

Visit SelfControl4.5

  • Rating

    4.5 / 5

  • Pricing

    Free

  • Difficulty

    Beginner

  • Works on

    macOS

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What is SelfControl?

SelfControl is a free Mac app that blocks your own access to distracting websites, mail servers or other internet services for a set time. Add sites to a blocklist, choose how long, and press Start. Until the timer runs out you cannot reach those sites, even if you restart your computer or delete the app. It is open source under the GNU GPL.

Pros: what SelfControl does well

  • Completely free and open source (GPL)
  • Blocks hold even through a restart or deleting the app
  • Simple: a blocklist, a timer and a Start button

Cons: where it falls short

  • Mac only
  • No way to end a block early, so set the timer carefully

Who SelfControl is for

Mac users who need a free blocker they cannot talk themselves out of once it is running.

Who can skip it

Windows, Linux and phone users, or anyone who needs to pause blocks at will.

SelfControl alternatives

Not sold on SelfControl? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.

All Distraction Blocking resources

LeechBlock NG

Focus: browser extension and time limits. Shares website blocker and focus with SelfControl. A browser extension, not a Mac app. Adds Chrome and Firefox. Same 4.5 rating.

Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.5Visit

Freedom

Focus: blocker and screen time. Shares focus with SelfControl. A desktop app, not a Mac app. Paid but Affordable (SelfControl: Free). Adds Windows, iOS and Android. Rated 4.3 (SelfControl: 4.5).

Desktop AppPaid but AffordablemacOS, Windows
4.3Visit

uBlock Origin

Focus: ad blocker, content blocker and privacy. Shares open source with SelfControl. A browser extension, not a Mac app. Adds Firefox and Chrome. Rated 4.8 (SelfControl: 4.5).

Browser ExtensionFreeFirefox, Chrome
4.8Visit

Pi-hole

Focus: ad blocker, dns and privacy. Shares open source with SelfControl. A web app, not a Mac app. Adds Linux and Web. Rated 4.7 (SelfControl: 4.5).

Web AppFreeLinux, Web
4.7Visit

Unhook

Focus: youtube, distraction blocker and recommendations. Shares focus with SelfControl. A browser extension, not a Mac app. Adds Chrome and Firefox. Rated 4.7 (SelfControl: 4.5).

Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.7Visit

Free alternatives to SelfControl

Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.

Deep Questions Podcast

Focus: podcast and career. Shares focus with SelfControl. A podcast, not a Mac app. Adds Web, iOS and Android. Same 4.5 rating.

PodcastFreeWeb, iOS
4.5Visit

Ice

Focus: menu bar, bartender alternative and macos. Shares open source with SelfControl. Rated 4.6 (SelfControl: 4.5).

Mac AppFreemacOS
4.6Visit

A Soft Murmur

Focus: ambient sounds, white noise and focus music. Also in Focus and Deep Work, like SelfControl. A website, not a Mac app. Adds Web. Same 4.5 rating.

WebsiteFreeWeb
4.5Visit

Hidden Bar

Focus: menu bar, declutter and mac utility. Shares open source with SelfControl. Adds Offline. Same 4.5 rating.

Mac AppFreemacOS, Offline
4.5Visit

How to Focus, Solved

Focus: attention, self-improvement and video. Shares focus with SelfControl. A YouTube Video, not a Mac app. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (SelfControl: 4.5).

YouTube VideoFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.7Visit
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