Opal

Overview

Opal is a focus and screen-time app for people who want to block digital distractions and build more deliberate routines. It is strongest for users who value scheduled, locked sessions alongside wellbeing tracking; people who need several distinct rules will likely outgrow its free plan.

Key features

Focus Rules block selected apps on phones or desktop, and Opal also supports blocking websites, scheduled blocks, and recurring schedules. That makes it suited to recurring work or rest routines rather than one-off limits. But the free plan allows only one rule, which may be too restrictive for people who want separate schedules for different parts of the day.

The Focus Timer locks a session for a chosen duration, a useful commitment for users who want a defined stretch of distraction-free time. Pro adds Hard Mode, advanced timers and soundscapes, and Allow Only; those controls make the paid tier more suitable for users who need stricter or more tailored sessions. Opal Score combines sleep, focus, and rest signals into a wellbeing measure, while Focus Gems reward focus milestones. Free shows the score for today only; Pro keeps its history, making it the better fit for tracking patterns over time.

iOS Shortcuts can start a timer when Do Not Disturb is enabled, when a user arrives at a location, or when they open a chosen app. These automations are useful for tying focus to existing routines instead of relying solely on a manual start.

Opal says detailed app-usage data processed through iOS Screen Time and Android Accessibility Service and Usage Stats stays on the device. It also says it collects contact information and user identifiers, unlinked usage and diagnostic data, and optional social data such as daily aggregate screen time and friend connections. Users who want to minimize data collection should weigh those categories against the on-device processing claim.

Pricing

Opal Free costs nothing, forever, and includes iOS, Android, and Mac support, one rule, app blocking, basic timers and soundscapes, and Opal Score for today only. It is a sensible way to try the core approach, but the single-rule cap and lack of score history limit it for ongoing use.

Opal Pro Yearly costs $8.29 a month, billed $99.99 billed annually. Pro Monthly costs $19.99 a month, billed $239 billed annually. Both include Hard Mode, unlimited rules, advanced timers and soundscapes, Allow Only, and Opal Score with history. The yearly plan is the lower monthly rate for people ready to commit to annual billing; monthly billing costs more over the year but avoids that annual commitment. Pro Lifetime costs $399, paid once, billed as a one-time payment, with the same Pro features. A 7-day trial is offered. Students can receive up to 50% off Pro.

Teams Pro has custom pricing and includes everything in Pro, a single invoice, advanced support and training, and an account manager, making it the option for organizations that want managed support rather than individual subscriptions. Opal offers a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee for Stripe purchases; it cannot directly refund iPhone app purchases, so purchase route matters.

Platforms

Opal supports iOS, Android, and macOS. This covers users who want phone and Mac support, but it does not suit someone looking for a Windows or Linux app.

Who it's for

Opal is a good fit for people who want recurring app and website restrictions, timed sessions they cannot casually end, and a way to reflect on technology habits. Its Pro tier is better suited to people managing several routines or wanting historical scores. It is less compelling for someone who needs only a single basic block rule or requires broader desktop platform coverage.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Recurring schedules and locked sessions support routines that run with less manual effort.
• Pros: Pro combines unlimited rules, stronger session controls, and score history for users who want more than basic blocking.
• Pros: iOS Shortcuts can connect timers to Do Not Disturb, location arrival, or opening a specified app.
• Cons: Free is limited to one rule and a score for today, constraining users who want multiple routines or longer-term tracking.
• Cons: The lower Pro monthly rate requires annual billing, while the monthly plan is substantially more expensive over a year.
• Cons: Opal supports iOS, Android, and macOS, but not Windows or Linux.

Alternatives

Freedom is worth considering if you want blocking across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows; its free plan includes apps, websites, or internet blocking, multi-device sync, custom blocklists, and website exceptions.

StayFree is a free option for cross-device screen-time tracking and usage control, with support for Android, browser extensions, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

ScreenZen offers a free core app across Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, with optional donations supporting the project; its halo plan is a 49.00 USD one-time purchase.

YourHour is an Android and iOS freemium alternative whose free download contains ads and in-app purchases.

AppBlock is another freemium option, with support for Android, browser extensions, and iOS.

Apple Screen Time is a free built-in choice for iOS and macOS users; managing a child's controls across a family group requires Family Sharing and individual Apple Accounts.

Focusly is a free option for browser extension, macOS, and Windows users, with all features, offline operation, no account, and an MIT license.

Jomo is an iOS and macOS freemium alternative with a free plan limited to one session, one action or limit, and one screen-time budget.

For broader comparisons, see Screen Time Management Apps and Distraction Blocking Software.

Verdict

Choose Opal if you want recurring, locked focus sessions on iOS, Android, or Mac, with wellbeing signals alongside blocking. Its strongest reason to buy is the combination of unlimited Pro rules, Hard Mode, and score history; look elsewhere if one free rule is not enough but a higher recurring subscription is not worthwhile, or if you need Windows or Linux support.