# Block & Flow vs Opal

The clearest difference is rating: Opal at 4.7 against Block & Flow's 4.0. Opal also leads on ratings volume (89K vs 76) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). Block & Flow's advantage is review sentiment (72% vs 62%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Block & Flow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month and Opal sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Opal holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opal has 89K ratings behind it against 76, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of Block & Flow's written reviews are positive against 62% of Opal's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Block & Flow ships an update every 3 weeks, Opal every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on July 25, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Block & Flow | Opal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (76 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-and-flow-pomodoro-timer/id1018884302/reviews) | **[4.7 (89K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opal-screen-time-control/id1497465230/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 76 | **89K** |
| Positive reviews | **71.6% of reviews** | 62.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#49** |
| Size | 7 MB | 303 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [One foot after the other Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/495575744) | [Opal OS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1497465229) |

## What reviewers say

### Block & Flow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-and-flow-pomodoro-timer/id1018884302)

This app helps you boost productivity by breaking down tasks into focused work intervals with scheduled breaks. It visualizes your progress and helps you understand where your time goes, encouraging consistent accomplishment.

**Highlights:** 25-minute visual countdown timer, Scheduled breaks for energy management, Track daily and weekly block completion, Color-code blocks for activities, Set intentional goals, View time history, Adjustable block duration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $2.49 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly with Trial | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 🎨 Visually appealing design with color-coded categories
- 📊 Effective visual progress tracking with blocks
- 🎯 Helps maintain focus and productivity
- ⏱️ Flexible Pomodoro timer customization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive shift to mandatory subscription model
- 😤 Lack of loyalty for early paying customers
- 🚫 No free version or basic functionality available
- ⚠️ Misleading app store description about Pro requirement
- 🔄 Blocks disappear when switching between apps

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch (reported February 2024)
- Blocks reset when switching to other apps
- Blocks disappear from history after completion
- Timer stops inexplicably during use
- Subscription status not recognized after reinstall

**Requested features**

- Customizable work block duration (not just 25 minutes)
- Ability to edit task descriptions from previous days
- Change block categories retroactively
- Do-not-disturb mode activation with blocks
- Watch app or Apple Watch complication


### Opal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opal-screen-time-control/id1497465230)

**Currently charting:** #49 Top Grossing · Productivity, #78 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app helps you regain control of your digital life by limiting app usage, blocking distractions, and improving focus. It provides tools and insights to reduce screen time, boost productivity, and enhance well-being.

**Highlights:** Screen time control, App blocker, Set app limits, Focus modes, Productivity reports, Block apps and websites, Mindful block screens

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Plan | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Opal Student Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Plan | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $19.99 | per month |
| Opal Pro Subscription | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $69.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $89.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year |
| Opal Pro Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $129.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $179.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 🚀 Effective at blocking distracting apps
- 💡 Customizable blocking schedules
- 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing design
- 🔒 Difficult to bypass blocks

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable at times
- 🔓 Easy to bypass blocks in some cases
- 🤯 Can be frustrating when blocks don't work as expected
- 🕰️ Longer wait times to take breaks

**Reported bugs**

- Blocks apps that are not selected
- Inconsistent behavior when ending focus sessions
- Crashes when trying to manage blocked apps
- VPN issues causing other connectivity problems

**Requested features**

- Allow more customization of blocked apps
- Integrate with more productivity tools
- Provide more granular time tracking and reporting
- Offer a one-time purchase option
- Improve stability and reduce bugs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Block & Flow free?

Block & Flow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Opal free?

Opal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Block & Flow or Opal?

Opal is rated higher. Block & Flow averages 4.0 out of 5 from 76 ratings, while Opal averages 4.7 from 89K ratings.

### Do Block & Flow or Opal have ads?

Neither Block & Flow nor Opal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Block & Flow or Opal?

Block & Flow ships an update every 3 weeks, and Opal every 5 days. Most recently, Block & Flow was updated on July 25, 2026 and Opal on September 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*