Opal vs Locked
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Screen time control
- App blocker
- Set app limits
- Focus modes
- Productivity reports
- Block apps and websites
- Mindful block screens
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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/
Locked
This app uses a physical NFC tag to create friction and help you break phone addiction. Set app limits and lock them until you scan the tag, encouraging focus and reducing distractions.
- NFC-powered physical tag app blocker
- Deep Focus Mode with no override
- Customizable app blocking
- Works with Apple Screen Time API
- Minimal interface for easy setup
- No data collection or cloud sync
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Locked is the most effective screen time control app that pairs with a physical NFC tag to help you reduce screen time, stay focused, and stop phone addiction. We all know how it goes: you sit down to work or study, and before you know it, you’re lost in a scroll loop - Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, games, notifications, distractions. Even with screen time apps (like those expensive apps, Opal, cough), it’s easy to override the limit. Your brain knows there’s no real consequence. That’s why Locked is different. Why Locked Works: According to behavioral science, friction changes behavior. Most screen time apps are low-friction - you can override limits with a tap. But with Locked, you set app limits and then lock them with a physical NFC tag. When the tag is out of reach, so are your distractions. You can’t override it unless you scan the tag. This break in the autopilot gives your rational brain a chance to intervene and choose focus. How It Works: Choose which apps to block inside the Locked app Scan your phone to the Locked Tag Your selected apps are now locked. Leave the tag at home, in a drawer, or far away Apps stay blocked until you scan the tag again to unlock them No passwords, no sneaky bypass. Just a real-world app blocker your brain respects. Benefits: Save 1–4 hours per day from less screen time Improve focus and productivity at work or school Stop phone addiction and doomscrolling habits Be more present with friends, family, and yourself Support your mental health by reducing digital overwhelm Create intentional tech boundaries that stick Build better habits with a tool that holds you accountable Reduce stress and anxiety caused by overuse Helps with ADHD and ADD Gain back control, without deleting apps or your whole phone Features: NFC NFC-powered tag that physically locks your phone’s distracting apps Works with Apple Screen Time (no shady VPNs or tracking) Deep Focus Mode: no override without the tag Custom app blocking: choose what’s locked vs what stays usable (e.g., music, maps, messages) Simple, minimal interface designed for quick setup and long-term success No data collection, no cloud sync. Your usage stays private and secure What People Are Saying: “I’ve tried everything - Focus Mode, Opal, Screen Time — but nothing worked until Locked. The physical tag makes all the difference.” “It’s like turning your phone into a brick when you need to focus.” “I didn’t realize how often I opened apps out of habit until I used Locked. Game changer for productivity and mental clarity.” Privacy & Terms: We care about your privacy. Locked does not track your app usage or personal data. All blocking is handled locally using Apple’s Screen Time API. Privacy Policy: https://nowlocked.com/policies/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://nowlocked.com/policies/terms-of-service
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Locked at 100% against Opal's 62%. Locked also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 18) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Opal's advantage is ratings volume (88K vs 2) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Opal sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Locked asks for nothing beyond the download.
Locked holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opal has 88K ratings behind it against 2, 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 100% of Locked's.
Opal ships an update every 5 days, Locked every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Opal | Locked |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (88K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 88K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Best chart rank | #43 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 303 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Opal OS | SocialMate Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
Opal
Locked
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
Locked
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Opal
- Weekly Plan3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Weekly Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
- Opal Student Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
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- 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
Locked
No in-app purchases









