Comparison

Opal vs Screen Time Blocker

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Opal

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
Read full description

Achieve screen time control with the world’s most-loved screen time app! Opal is the fun, free Screen Time app to improve your focus and make the most out of every day. 5 to 6 hours. That’s the average time you’ll spend looking at your phone today, often without realizing it. It's time to fight back. With a combination of screen time control, app limits, app blockers, real time data, leaderboards and rewards, you will focus better and accomplish your dreams, just like Opal’s members. **As of August 2026, Opal has saved humanity 500 Million hours of screen time. ** Many of the world's top teams and companies trust Opal to help protect their focus. You can too. **Opal cut my screen time by 2 hours per day – Marketing at Google ** **You need this app. When I first got opal my daily screen-time was about 8 1/2 hours a day. Now it's 1 hour. ** **Opal has become an indispensable tool in my quest for productivity and mindful technology usage ** **Get Opal! - Ali Abdaal, productivity expert** BENEFITS Save 1 hour and 23 minutes per DAY from less screen time, on average. 94% of Opal members are less distracted 93% are more productive thanks to the app 90% report improved well-being Added benefits: - Better screen time control - Better productivity at work - Reduce stress, be more mindful - Supports focus challenges, including ADHD - Set daily work hours, sleep, and routines - Block apps to unplug and detox - Stay in focus when you need it most - You're happy and in control of your screen time FEATURES - #1 Screen Time Control: the most loved app for screen time control with 4.8/5. - #1 App Blocker: Instantly Block apps and websites you choose at a specific time of day throughout the week to organize your time. - Focus Difficulty: Make it hard, or make it a bit easier. Deep Focus won't let you cancel or bypass at all. - App Limits: Set daily usage limits on apps and websites to automatically block them and prevent overuse. - Mindful Block Screens: Discover quotes, puns and more every time you try to open an app or website you really shoudn't. - Blocklist & Allowlist: Easily pick any app, game or website you want to block or allow during your Blocks. - Focus Report: Measure your progress with clear metrics, actionable screen time stats, and benchmark against your peers. - Focus Score: Check your screen time and focus level at any point easily spotting Focus and Distracted time. - Calendar: Set daily working hours, sleep and routines, block apps automatically, so you don’t have to remember. - Precious Rewards: Unlock unique MileStones you can share with friends. - Leaderboard: Challenge friends to top the leaderboard, enhancing productivity, focus and keeping each other motivated. - Breaks: Choose the app you want to use, write your intention, and set a timer. - Focus Mode Integration: Sync your Opal Focus Sessions with iPhone Focus Mode to block apps. - Shortcut Integration: Connect iPhone shortcut automations to start/stop Focus Sessions based on app opens, time, location and more! - Focus Reminders: Get timely reminder notifications when you get distracted or reach a time limit. - Deep Focus: Need ultimate focus? Deep Focus is the maximum level of protection — you can’t bypass or cancel. - More Fun: Opal is guilt-free and fun. - Widget: Have Opal on your home screen! CREATE A PERSONALIZED APP BLOCK LIST Easily pick any app, game or website you want to block or allow to Block Apps. PRIVATE & SAFE We use Apple's Screen Time API in order to monitor and block apps you use. Installation is easy and takes a few seconds on your iPhone. Unlike most apps, Opal works entirely on your phone and personal browsing data never leaves your device. TERMS, PRIVACY & CONDITIONS Read on https://opal.so/terms & https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Screen Time Blocker

This app helps you regain control of your smartphone usage by setting app and website limits. It creates focused moments for work, study, or sleep by blocking distracting applications during designated times. Features include customizable restrictions, a "shield" screen to enforce limits, and a Pomodoro timer for enhanced productivity.

Highlights
  • App and website restrictions
  • Customizable time limits
  • "Shield" screen for enforcement
  • Pomodoro timer integration
  • Undisableable shield option (premium)
  • Multiple restriction profiles
Features
Read full description

Focus is an app designed to create truly focused moments for you. It's perfect for those who can't help but open their phones, even when there are tasks to be done - a solution for your smartphone addiction. Leveraging the Screen Time feature, Focus can assist you when you need concentration for obtaining certifications, test studies, or work. Additionally, it's a valuable tool for those looking to combat smartphone addiction and improve sleep quality. ■ Focus safeguards your time with the following features: ・ Focus uses the Screen Time API. This API ensures no unauthorized data access. Please grant permission with peace of mind. ・ It operates based on the apps and times you set for restrictions. For instance, you can set it to prevent SNS usage between 9:00-17:00 during work or study hours. Even granting permissions as short as 10 minutes is possible. ・ If you exceed the time limit and continue to use the app, a "shield" screen appears, preventing further use. ・ Outside the restriction hours (e.g., after 17:00), the shield is deactivated, and the restricted apps become accessible again. ・ You can set multiple restrictions, tailored to your lifestyle. ・ There's a Pomodoro timer feature that leverages the app restriction function. This helps you study or work more efficiently. ・ It's also possible to make the shield non-deactivatable from the premium plan, ensuring you always adhere to the limits. Focus is recommended for: Those addicted to SNS, often checking it during work hours. With Focus, you can set it so SNS apps are off-limits from 9:00 - 17:00. People who use their phones before sleeping. You can set all apps to be unusable after 22:00. If you start your morning dawdling on entertainment or gaming apps and miss a productive start. For instance, restrict such apps from 8:00 - 10:00. Music lovers who get lost in their tunes during study breaks. You can set music apps to be usable only for 20 minutes during study hours. Those who quickly deactivate restrictions from the settings app. With Focus, you can set an undisable shield, ensuring you always adhere to the restrictions. It's also a reliable partner for those who want to concentrate on tasks using the Pomodoro timer. Please utilize this app to overcome temptations from other captivating apps. For inquiries or feedback, please contact us at: awesome.digitaldetox.app@gmail.com

Screenshots

Opal4 screens
Screen Time Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Opal at 88K against Screen Time Blocker's 21. Opal also leads on chart position (#43 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 10 days). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Opal sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Blocker sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Opal against 4.6 for Screen Time Blocker. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opal has 88K ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 62% of Opal's written reviews are positive against 68% of Screen Time Blocker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Opal ships an update every 5 days, Screen Time Blocker every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Opal versus Screen Time Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpalScreen Time Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (88K ratings) — better4.6 (21 ratings)
Positive reviews62.1% of reviews68.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88K — better21
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#43 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size303 MB109 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpal OSyudai hirose

Customer experience

Opal

All ratings88,321 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral2.0%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews5,586 reviews
Positive62.1%
Neutral9.0%
Negative28.9%

Screen Time Blocker

All ratings21 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive68.3%
Neutral12.2%
Negative19.5%

Bugs and requests

Opal

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

Screen Time Blocker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Opal

Subscriptions13
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Opal Student Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 10 more
  • Monthly Plan3 Days trial2 variants$19.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Opal Pro Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$99.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan1 Month trial2 variants$99.991 Year
  • Opal Pro Yearly$99.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$129.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$179.991 Year
15 purchases

Screen Time Blocker

Subscriptions8
  • Premium$1.991 Month
  • Premium$2.991 Month
  • Premium$4.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Premium$9.991 Month
  • Premium$19.991 Year
  • Premium$29.991 Year
  • Premium$39.991 Year
  • Premium$79.991 Year
One-time7
  • 100yen$0.49
  • 300yen$1.99
  • 1000yen$5.99
Show 4 more
  • Premium$24.99
  • Premium$39.99
  • Premium$59.99
  • 10000yen$59.99

Questions

Is Opal free?
Opal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Blocker free?
Screen Time Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Opal or Screen Time Blocker?
Opal is rated higher. Opal averages 4.7 out of 5 from 88K ratings, while Screen Time Blocker averages 4.6 from 21 ratings.
Do Opal or Screen Time Blocker have ads?
Neither Opal nor Screen Time Blocker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Opal or Screen Time Blocker?
Opal ships an update every 5 days, and Screen Time Blocker every 10 days. Most recently, Opal was updated on September 25, 2026 and Screen Time Blocker on September 23, 2026.

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