Comparison

Opal vs Screen Time Control

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 Control

This app helps you master your screen time and boost productivity by tracking usage, blocking distracting apps, and setting custom goals. It offers personalized insights and challenges to encourage healthier digital habits and a better online-offline balance.

Highlights
  • Smart screen time tracking
  • App blocking for focus sessions
  • Customizable time limits
  • App impact scoring
  • Friendly competition and challenges
  • Detailed usage analytics
Features
Read full description

LimitUp: Take Control of Your Digital Life Are you ready to master your screen time and boost your productivity? LimitUp is your personal digital wellness coach, helping you understand and optimize your app usage for a healthier, more balanced life. Key Features: Smart Screen Time Tracking • Get a clear picture of your daily, weekly, and monthly app usage • Visualize your habits with intuitive charts and graphs • Receive personalized insights to improve your digital diet Friendly Competition • Challenge friends and family to reduce screen time together • Compete in group challenges for extra motivation • Share your progress and celebrate victories Powerful App Blocking • Create custom "focus sessions" to block distracting apps • Set daily time limits for specific applications • Use different blocking modes: Quick Block, Blocking Session, App Limit, and App Lock App Impact Scoring • Rate how distracting or productive each app is for you • Get suggestions on which apps to use less or more • Understand the impact of your app usage on your overall wellbeing Customizable Goals • Set personalized screen time targets • Create morning and evening routines to bookend your day • Develop better digital habits with guided challenges Detailed Analytics • Track your progress over time with in-depth reports • Identify patterns and trends in your app usage • Use data-driven insights to make positive changes LimitUp is designed to help you regain control over your digital life, increase productivity, and find a better balance between your online and offline worlds. Whether you're looking to cut down on social media, focus more on work, or simply be more mindful of your screen time, LimitUp has the tools you need to succeed. Download LimitUp today and start your journey towards a healthier relationship with technology! Terms of services: https://www.limitup.online/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.limitup.online/privacy

Screenshots

Opal4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Opal at 4.7 against Screen Time Control's 3.9. Opal also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (88K vs 7). Screen Time Control's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 62%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 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 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opal has 88K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of Opal's written reviews are positive against 80% of Screen Time Control's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Opal ships an update every 5 days, Screen Time Control every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Opal versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpalScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (88K ratings) — better3.9 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews62.1% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#48 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size303 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpal OSPerpetio OU

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 Control

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

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

Screen Time Control

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
3 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Opal free?
Opal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Opal or Screen Time Control?
Opal is rated higher. Opal averages 4.7 out of 5 from 88K ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 3.9 from 7 ratings.
Do Opal or Screen Time Control have ads?
Screen Time Control shows ads; Opal does not.
Which is updated more often, Opal or Screen Time Control?
Opal ships an update every 5 days, and Screen Time Control every 3 weeks. Most recently, Opal was updated on September 25, 2026 and Screen Time Control on June 20, 2026.

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