The Best SelfControl AlternativesTop Anti Procrastination Tools & Internet Filters like SelfControl

SelfControl is described as 'Free and open-source application for Mac OS X that lets you block your own access to distracting websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the Internet. Just set a period of time to block for, add sites to your blacklist, and click "Start' and is a anti procrastination tool in the os & utilities category. There are more than 50 alternatives to SelfControl for a variety of platforms, including Android, Mac, Windows, iPhone and Google Chrome apps. The best SelfControl alternative is Cold Turkey, which is free. Other great apps like SelfControl are StayFocusd, DigitalZen, FocusMe and Mindful : Focus & Screen Time.

filter to find the best alternatives

SelfControl alternatives are mainly Anti Procrastination Tools but may also be Time Tracking Tools or Internet Filters.  Other popular filters includes Windows + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of SelfControl.
  • ...

SelfControl is a free and open-source application for Mac OS X that lets you block your own access to distracting websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the Internet. Just set a period of time to block for, add...

More about SelfControl
SelfControl alternatives page was last updated Feb 17, 2025
  1. Cold Turkey icon
     62 likes

    Boost productivity by blocking websites, games, and applications with Cold Turkey. Once locked, blocks are hard to bypass. Install on Windows, macOS with browser extensions for multiple browsers. One-time purchase includes lifetime updates, ensuring privacy with locally stored data.

    81 Cold Turkey alternatives
    Cold Turkey screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Top Cold Turkey Features

    1.  Block apps
    2.  Website blocking
    3.  Anti Procrastination
    4.  Application Blocker
    5.  Stay Focused
    6.  Block Facebook
    7.  Pomodoro Timer
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Block youtube
    11.  Block Distraction
    12.  No Subscription
    Cold Turkey iconSelfControl Icon

    Cold Turkey VS SelfControl

    Is Cold Turkey a good alternative to SelfControl?
     
    Comments about Cold Turkey as an Alternative to SelfControl
     
    Guest

    because it is good for windows

    Positive commentAug 24, 2017
    0
    SelfControl Icon
    Cold Turkey icon
    • Most users think Cold Turkey is a great SelfControl alternative.

    • Cold Turkey is the most popular Windows & Mac alternative to SelfControl.

    • Cold Turkey is the most popular free alternative to SelfControl.

    • Cold Turkey is Freemium and ProprietarySelfControl is Free and Open Source
  2. StayFocusd icon
     41 likes

    StayFocusd is a productivity extension for Google Chrome that helps you stay focused on work by restricting the amount of time you can spend on time-wasting websites. Once your allotted time has been used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the...

    101 StayFocusd alternatives
    StayFocusd screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Website blocking
    2.  Browser extension
    3.  Stay Focused
    4.  Block Facebook
    StayFocusd iconSelfControl Icon

    StayFocusd VS SelfControl

    Is StayFocusd a good alternative to SelfControl?
     
    • Most users think StayFocusd is a great SelfControl alternative.

    • StayFocusd is the most popular Web-based alternative to SelfControl.

    • StayFocusd is Free and ProprietarySelfControl is Free and Open Source
  3. DigitalZen icon
     65 likes

    Empower your digital habits with app/site blocking, Focus Time whitelisting, and Monk Mode detox. Supports Linux, screen time scheduling, and offers unique strategies for breaks, night restrictions, and balanced digital living. Embrace efficient device interaction on your terms.

    58 DigitalZen alternatives
    DigitalZen screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Opera
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Anti Procrastination
    2.  Stay Focused
    3.  Website blocking
    4.  Block apps
    5.  Pomodoro Timer
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Block Facebook
    8.  Browser extension
    9.  Scheduling
    10.  Application Blocker
    11.  Block Distraction
    12.  Block youtube
    DigitalZen iconSelfControl Icon

    DigitalZen VS SelfControl

    Is DigitalZen a good alternative to SelfControl?
     
    Comments about DigitalZen as an Alternative to SelfControl
     
       
    Comment summary: Users find DigitalZen to be a simple yet effective alternative to SelfControl, praising its ability to organize daily tasks and improve productivity, especially for users who describe themselves as lazy. Some users express gratitude to AlternativeTo for the recommendation, noting that the app has significantly impacted their daily habits and organization.
    Eleanor Sterling

    cool in the hand, I'm so lazy but this app made me a responsible woman

    Top positive commentJan 23, 2025
    0
    Joseph Begley

    Ive been using this app for a month, and its really good. Better than selfcontrol in many ways.

    Positive commentFeb 17, 2025
    0
    Jeffrey Gallardo

    Honestly the reason why I love this app because its free

    Positive commentFeb 15, 2025
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 18 comments
    SelfControl Icon
    DigitalZen icon
    • Almost everyone thinks DigitalZen is a great SelfControl alternative.

    • DigitalZen is the most popular Linux alternative to SelfControl.

    • DigitalZen is Freemium and ProprietarySelfControl is Free and Open Source
    • DigitalZen is Privacy focused and CustomizableSelfControl is not according to our users
  4. FocusMe icon
     34 likes

    The All-In-One Application and Website Blocker for Windows, Mac and Android.

    74 FocusMe alternatives
    Focus Plans

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Website blocking
    2.  Block Distraction
    3.  Pomodoro Timer
    4.  Stay Focused
    FocusMe iconSelfControl Icon

    FocusMe VS SelfControl

    Is FocusMe a good alternative to SelfControl?
     
    Comments about FocusMe as an Alternative to SelfControl
     
    Guest

    Can be easily disabled. New update, I have been told by the developer, could change that though. (July 2017)

    Negative commentJul 19, 2017
    -6
    SelfControl Icon
    FocusMe icon
    • Most users think FocusMe is a great SelfControl alternative.

    • FocusMe is the most popular Android & SaaS alternative to SelfControl.

    • FocusMe is the most popular commercial alternative to SelfControl.

    • FocusMe is Paid and ProprietarySelfControl is Free and Open Source
  5. Mindful : Focus & Screen Time icon
     11 likes

    People are spending a staggering 8 hours a day glued to their smartphones, mostly lost in endless social media feeds. Our phones have taken over, pulling us deeper into the digital abyss and making our screen time soar.

    56 Mindful : Focus & Screen Time alternatives
    Mindful : Focus & Screen Time screenshot 1
    Mindful : Focus & Screen Time screenshot 2
    +5
    Mindful : Focus & Screen Time screenshot 3

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Android

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Stay Focused
    2.  Screen time
    Mindful : Focus & Screen Time iconSelfControl Icon

    Mindful : Focus & Screen Time VS SelfControl

    Is this a good alternative to SelfControl?
     
    • Mindful : Focus & Screen Time is the most popular Open Source alternative to SelfControl.

    • Mindful : Focus & Screen Time is Free and Open SourceSelfControl is also Free and Open Source
    • Mindful : Focus & Screen Time is Privacy focusedSelfControl is not according to our users
  6. Forest icon
     33 likes

    Forest is an app to help you stay focused on your work. Whenever you want to concentrate, you can plant a seed in Forest. In the next 30 minutes, this small seed will gradually grow into a big tree. However, if you cannot resist the temptation and leave this app to check...

    85 Forest alternatives
    Forest screenshot 1
    Forest screenshot 2
    Forest screenshot 3

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Gamification
    2.  Pomodoro Timer
    3.  Stay Focused
    4.  Block apps
    Forest iconSelfControl Icon

    Forest VS SelfControl

    Is Forest a good alternative to SelfControl?
     
    Comments about Forest as an Alternative to SelfControl
     
    Guest

    It is a very cute app, but also very functional without unnecessary functions (like ColdTurkey has, for example).

    Positive commentOct 19, 2016
    -2
    SelfControl Icon
    Forest icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Forest is a great SelfControl alternative.

    • Forest is the most popular iPhone alternative to SelfControl.

    • Forest is Freemium and ProprietarySelfControl is Free and Open Source
  7. ClearSpace icon
     4 likes

    Empowers users to control screen time by blocking apps, minimizing impulsive phone use, and aligning digital habits with health and wellbeing objectives. Features include limiting app usage, scheduling focus time, screen time accountability, and improving attention and mental health.

    63 ClearSpace alternatives
    ClearSpace screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Google Chrome

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Block apps
    3.  Block Distraction
    4.  Stay Focused
    ClearSpace iconSelfControl Icon

    ClearSpace VS SelfControl

    Is ClearSpace a good alternative to SelfControl?
     
7 of 74 SelfControl alternatives