FocusMe vs SelfControl

FocusMe

• People who tend to switch off or uninstall their own blocker
• Blocking websites and desktop apps on Windows, Mac or Linux
• Buyers who want a lifetime licence instead of a subscription

SelfControl

• Mac users who want a free blocker they cannot switch off mid-block
• Blocking a fixed list of sites for a set number of hours
• People who prefer open-source software they can inspect or modify

FocusMe

• Monthly and yearly prices are filled in by the payment provider when the pricing page loads; its text states only plans from $9.95 a month and $249 for lifetime.
• The US App Store lists in-app subscriptions at $3.99 and $15.99 a month and $24.99 and $119.99 a year, without saying what each one covers.
• The desktop apps have no free tier once the 14-day trial ends; only the Android and iOS apps can be used without paying.
• On Android, uninstall protection exists only in the direct-download version, not the Play Store one, and plan sync for Android is still in development.

SelfControl

• macOS only: the project's FAQ says there are no plans for Windows, Linux or iOS versions.
• A running block cannot be ended early, and the app has no built-in scheduling or recurring blocks.
• Blocks do not work properly over a VPN, and Firefox has to be quit and restarted after each block starts.
• It is maintained by volunteers, almost entirely one person, and the FAQ warns that support replies can take months.

FocusMe

Website and app blocking

Block sites by URL, partial URL, page title or RegEx across all browsers, and any desktop app or game. Short-form video such as YouTube Shorts can be blocked while the rest of a site stays open.

Enforced Mode and plan protection

An enforced plan cannot be stopped once it is active. Lighter settings include typing a string of random characters, stop delays, pause limits and approval from an accountability partner.

Block, limit or break plans

Each plan can fully block its targets, give them a daily, weekly or monthly time budget, cap how many times a day they can be launched, or enforce full-screen breaks.

Schedules and Pomodoro cycles

A plan can run from an on-demand Quick Timer, a weekly schedule, Pomodoro work and break cycles, or a multi-day plan.

AI Productivity Coach

Weekly reports compare your screen time with your tasks and goals and recommend changes. Turning Coach on sends the names of the sites and apps you used, with times, to the service.

Built-in task manager

Tasks have priorities, due dates, categories, recurrence and streaks, and the Coach reads the list when it writes its reports.

SelfControl

Blocks that cannot be undone

Set a duration, add sites to the blocklist and click Start. The block holds until the timer expires, even after a restart or deleting the app.

Blocklist or allowlist

Block the domains you list, or switch to an allowlist that permits only its entries. Entries can also name mail servers or specific ports.

Saved lists

A list can be saved as a file from the File menu and opened again later or on another Mac, where it replaces the current list.

Command-line interface

SelfControl can be run from the Terminal, which lets advanced users write scripts that start blocks.

Blocks longer than 24 hours

Longer blocks are possible but hidden by default; the project wiki explains how to enable them and advises testing a list with a short block first.

FocusMe

• Mobile apps$0

  Android and iOS apps are free to download; blocking, schedules and time limits work without paying. Syncing plans with a computer needs Premium.

• Monthly or YearlyFrom $9.95

  per month; per-plan amounts are filled in at page load

  All features on up to 5 computers plus 2 phones or tablets. The page title gives plans from $9.95 a month; the exact monthly and yearly amounts could not be read.

• Lifetime$249

  one-time

  Pay once for the same features with free updates. The vendor defines lifetime as for as long as the product exists.

SelfControl

• SelfControl$0

  The complete Mac app: timed blocks, blocklists or allowlists, saved lists and a command-line interface.

FocusMe

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime licence for a one-time $249

  The pricing page lists a Lifetime plan at $249, paid once, with free updates. FocusMe defines lifetime access as lasting for as long as the product exists.

• Education

  30% off for students and educators

  FocusMe offers a 30% educational discount to students and people who work in education, requested through a form with an educational email address.

SelfControl

No public discounts listed.