Bear vs SelfControl
Bear and SelfControl are both Productivity tools in our directory. This side-by-side comparison covers pricing, user ratings, supported platforms, key features and open-source status so you can decide which one fits your needs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Bear | SelfControl |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Shiny Frog | Charlie Stigler |
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.6 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Free |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS | macOS |
| Key features | Pretty Markdown, Tags, Light AI rewrite | Free, Cannot undo until done, Mac-only |
| Headquarters | Parma, Italy | Open source |
| Founded | 2016 | 2009 |
| Open source | No | Yes |
Key differences
- Bear and SelfControl share the same user rating (4.6★).
- Bear is Freemium, while SelfControl is Free.
- SelfControl is open source (its code is public), while Bear is proprietary.
- Bear runs on macOS, iOS; SelfControl runs on macOS.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear or SelfControl better?
Bear and SelfControl are rated equally (4.6★) by users, so the better choice depends on your needs — see the feature and platform comparison above.
Which is cheaper, Bear or SelfControl?
Bear is Freemium and SelfControl is Free. Check each product page for current plan details.
Are Bear and SelfControl open source?
SelfControl is open source, while Bear is proprietary.