AppBlock vs SelfControl
AppBlock
appblock.appSelfControl
selfcontrolapp.comSide by side
| Figure | AppBlock | SelfControl |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Distraction Blocking Software | 8.2 (#6) | 7.0 (#27) |
| Spec score · Focus Tools | 8.2 (#7) | 7.0 (#17) |
| Integrations | The privacy policy lists Google, Facebook, and Apple sign-in options, plus Google Play services, Firebase, AppsFlyer, RevenueCat, Superwall, and Freshdesk among third-party services. | The privacy policy identifies Sentry as the service used for anonymized error reports. |
| Purpose | AppBlock helps manage screen time and block distracting apps, websites, URLs, and keywords. | SelfControl is a free Mac application that helps users avoid distracting websites. |
Plans
In their own words
AppBlock
AppBlock helps manage screen time by blocking distracting apps, websites, URLs, and keywords. Users can create profiles that start automatically by time, day, location, or connected Wi-Fi. Strict Mode makes blocks harder to bypass and includes Cooldown and third-party approval options. Usage limits, app and website tracking, and reports show screen-time habits over time. Allowlist Mode blocks everything except selected essential apps. The iOS feature list includes schedules, Strict Mode, Quick Block, Allowlist, approval access, and Pomodoro sessions. Extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Brave offer Quick Block and scheduled website blocking. The maker presents uses for work, students, parents, ADHD, mental health, and well-being. Its privacy policy says core blocking rules, screen content read for blocking, and detailed usage statistics are processed locally, subject to stated exceptions. Installed-app package names are sent to servers for category-based blocking, and backups upload blocking configuration when that feature is used. The Free plan costs nothing and has platform-specific limits; a 7-day trial is listed.
SelfControl
SelfControl has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.