Comparison

Opal vs Impulse

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

Impulse

This app helps you block distracting applications and websites to improve focus and productivity. It offers customizable blocking levels and group features for shared accountability.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Set daily usage limits
  • Three strictness levels: Easy, Medium, Hard
  • Create custom focus profiles
  • Group blocking for shared accountability
  • Works across iPhone and Chrome extension
Features
Read full description

Block distractions. Stay focused. Do it together. Impulse blocks the apps and websites that waste your time — so you can focus on what actually matters. Whether you need to study, work, or just stop scrolling, Impulse gives you real control over your screen time. BLOCK APPS & WEBSITES Choose the apps and sites that distract you. Block them during specific time slots or set daily usage limits. Pick your strictness level: Easy (unlock anytime), Medium (with friction), or Hard (no way out until time's up). THREE LEVELS OF STRICTNESS Easy: Unlock whenever you want. Medium: Added friction to make you think twice. Hard: Locked until time's up. No exceptions. FOCUS MODE — NEW Sometimes you just need to lock in. Create focus profiles — pick your apps, set a default timer, choose your difficulty — and activate them with a single tap whenever you need to concentrate. 15, 25, 45, or 60 minutes. Or go unlimited. Your focus, your rules. GROUPS — NEW Better habits are easier together. Create a group, configure shared blocks, and invite friends or family with a simple code. Everyone gets the same rules applied to their phone. See who's keeping their streak alive and who needs a nudge. Perfect for study groups, digital detox challenges, or families who want less screen time together. WORKS ACROSS DEVICES Impulse is available on iPhone and as a Chrome extension. Block distractions on your phone and your browser. PRIVATE & SECURE No account required. No tracking. Your data stays on your device. Download Impulse and take back your time.

Screenshots

Opal4 screens
Impulse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Opal at 4.7 against Impulse's 3.0. Opal also leads on ratings volume (88K vs 1) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). Impulse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18). On price, review sentiment, ads 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. Impulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Opal holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opal has 88K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of Opal's written reviews are positive against 67% of Impulse'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, Impulse fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Opal versus Impulse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpalImpulse
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (88K ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews62.1% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#48 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size303 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpal OSPablo Granados

Customer experience

Opal

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

Impulse

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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

Impulse

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
None

Impulse

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Opal free?
Opal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Impulse free?
Impulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Opal or Impulse?
Opal is rated higher. Opal averages 4.7 out of 5 from 88K ratings, while Impulse averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Opal or Impulse have ads?
Neither Opal nor Impulse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Opal or Impulse?
Opal ships an update every 5 days, and Impulse fortnightly. Most recently, Opal was updated on September 26, 2026 and Impulse on September 10, 2026.

Other comparisons