# Opal vs Screen Time Limit

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Opal at 88K against Screen Time Limit's 43. Opal also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Screen Time Limit's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Opal sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Limit sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Opal holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opal has 88K ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Opal's written reviews are positive against 58% of Screen Time Limit's.

Opal ships an update every 5 days, Screen Time Limit fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Opal | Screen Time Limit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (88K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opal-screen-time-control/id1497465230/reviews)** | [4.5 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-limit-app-blocker/id6449219142/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **88K** | 43 |
| Positive reviews | **62.1% of reviews** | 58.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#42** | — |
| Size | 303 MB | 83 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Opal OS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1497465229) | [Salix Labs LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807587134) |

## What reviewers say

### Opal

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

**Currently charting:** #42 Top Grossing · Productivity, #87 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


### Screen Time Limit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-limit-app-blocker/id6449219142)

This app helps you improve focus and manage screen time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers features for self-control and parental monitoring to create a more productive digital environment.

**Highlights:** App blocking, Website blocking, Focus mode, Study timer, Parental controls, Screen time tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parental Control Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium | $6.99 | per month |
| Parental Yearly Premium | $14.99 | per year |
| 50% Discount | $14.99 | per year |
| 20% Discount | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Opal free?

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

### Is Screen Time Limit free?

Screen Time Limit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Opal or Screen Time Limit?

Opal is rated higher. Opal averages 4.7 out of 5 from 88K ratings, while Screen Time Limit averages 4.5 from 43 ratings.

### Do Opal or Screen Time Limit have ads?

Neither Opal nor Screen Time Limit shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Opal or Screen Time Limit?

Opal ships an update every 5 days, and Screen Time Limit fortnightly. Most recently, Opal was updated on September 25, 2026 and Screen Time Limit on August 1, 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.*