SelfControl

Spec sheet

Purpose

SelfControl is a free Mac application that helps users avoid distracting websites.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Integrations

The privacy policy identifies Sentry as the service used for anonymized error reports.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Block persistence

A block remains in effect until its timer expires, even if the user restarts the computer or deletes the application.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Error reporting

Error reports use Sentry and may include SelfControl settings, but the policy says they do not include the blocklist or identifying details.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

How it works

Users set a block period, add sites to a blocklist, and start the timer.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Languages

The maker says SelfControl has been translated into 12 languages.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Maintainers

The maker credits Charlie Stigler, Steve Lambert, and other contributors.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Open source

SelfControl is open-source software licensed under the GNU GPL.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Platform support

The maker describes SelfControl as an application for macOS and offers a current download for Mac OS X 10.10+ and an older version for Mac OS X 10.8+.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Privacy controls

Users can disable both types of data collection in preferences, and the policy says personal data tied to an individual is never collected.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Privacy data

Since version 4.0, the app can send anonymized system data when checking for updates and anonymized error reports if an error or crash occurs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

What it blocks

Users can block distracting websites, mail servers, or anything else on the Internet.Read 9 Oct 2026 · selfcontrolapp.com

Plans and prices

Every SelfControl plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Focus Tools#17 of 197.0
• Distraction Blocking Software#27 of 297.0