Comparison

Opal vs App 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

App Blocker

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting applications and websites. Utilize custom block lists and focus sessions to improve productivity and mental well-being.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Create custom block lists
  • Schedule focus sessions
  • Manage screen time effectively
  • Improve productivity and mental health
  • Personalized app and website blocking
Features
Read full description

Block distractions and focus better. 4 hours. That’s the average time you’ll spend looking at your phone today. With a combination of app restrictions, to-do list, you can begin to focus better and accomplish your dreams. BENEFITS 94% of our members are less distracted 93% are more productive thanks to the app 90% experience improved mental health 79% save at least 1 hour *daily* thanks to the app KEY FEATURES Calendar • Stay focused on daily basis • Create custom blocks/events to study, work or enjoying a family dinner • Custom block lists for specific apps or categories App Restrictions: • Instantly block distracting apps and websites with the #1 blocker. • Control your screen time and stop doomscrolling. Focus Sessions: • Block apps and websites while you're working to maintain deep focus. • You can always take a break to unblock them temporarily. BENEFITS Better Screen Time Management: Save at least one hour daily by reducing distractions. Increased Productivity: 93% of users report being more productive thanks to the app. Improved Mental Health: 90% of users experience reduced stress and improved mindfulness. Enhanced Focus: 94% of users report feeling less distracted and more focused. CREATE A PERSONALIZED APP LIST You can add or remove any App and Website that are distracting to you directly from To Do Lock's settings in the app. You can customize your To do Lock experience and block all apps and sites on your phone, including: - Facebook - Instagram - Snapchat - TikTok - Youtube - Netflix - Tinder - Hinge - Bumble - Many more: News, Messaging, Dating, Adult/Porn, Money apps etc. 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, App Blocker works entirely on your phone and personal browsing data never leaves your device. Subscription pricing and terms: App Blocker offers an auto-renewing yearly subscription at $99.99/year to provide you with unlimited access to the all features while you maintain an active subscription. Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Need help? Contact us here: https://screentimecontrol.app/contact-us Read more about our terms and conditions here: Privacy policy: https://screentimecontrol.app/privacy-and-policy/ Terms and conditions: https://screentimecontrol.app/terms-and-conditions

Screenshots

Opal4 screens
App Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Opal at none against App Blocker's shown. Opal also leads on ratings volume (88K vs 77) and chart position (#43 vs unranked). App Blocker's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases 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 App Blocker sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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 77, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 62% and 63% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Opal ships an update every 5 days, App Blocker every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Opal versus App Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpalApp Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (88K ratings) — better4.5 (77 ratings)
Positive reviews62.1% of reviews62.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88K — better77
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#43 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size303 MB214 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpal OSScreen Time Control LLC

Customer experience

Opal

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

App Blocker

All ratings77 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral2.6%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%

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

App 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
9 purchases

App Blocker

Subscriptions6
  • Premium$4.997 Days
  • Premium$8.991 Month
  • Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 3 more
  • Premium$24.991 Year
  • Premium7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time3
  • Free for LifeFree
  • Lifetime$29.99
  • Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Opal free?
Opal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Blocker free?
App Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Opal or App Blocker?
Opal is rated higher. Opal averages 4.7 out of 5 from 88K ratings, while App Blocker averages 4.5 from 77 ratings.
Do Opal or App Blocker have ads?
App Blocker shows ads; Opal does not.
Which is updated more often, Opal or App Blocker?
Opal ships an update every 5 days, and App Blocker every 11 days. Most recently, Opal was updated on September 24, 2026 and App Blocker on August 12, 2026.

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