All alternatives
Browwwser vs SelfControl
Which website blocker is right for you?
Quick Comparison
| Feature |  Browwwser |  SelfControl |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS | macOS |
| Price | $99/yr or $199 lifetime | Free |
| Free tier | Yes (7 days) | Fully free |
| Bypass difficulty | Very hard | Hard |
| Blocking method | Browser engine — requests killed at the network layer, no extension to disable | System firewall rules |
SelfControl — Strengths
- Completely free and open-source
- Firewall-level blocking — very hard to bypass
- Timer is irreversible (even restarting won't help)
- Lightweight, no account needed
SelfControl — Weaknesses
- Website blocking only — no app blocking
- No scheduling (manual start each time)
- No recurring blocks or presets
- Dated UI, no updates in years
Browwwser — Strengths
- Engine-level blocking — nothing to disable or uninstall
- Desktop app blocking (closes macOS apps)
- Lock mode (1 hour to 7 days, no override)
- Scheduled blocking with recurring rules
- Full Chrome compatibility (extensions, passwords, bookmarks)
- One-click presets (social media, news, video)
Browwwser — Weaknesses
- macOS only — no Windows, Linux, or mobile
- No free tier beyond 7-day trial
- Requires switching your default browser
The Bottom Line
SelfControl is a solid choice if you need completely free and open-source. But if your main problem is bypassing your own blocker when willpower runs out, Browwwser solves that at the architecture level — the blocking runs inside the browser engine, not on top of it.