Comparison

Opal vs Patacon App

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 screen time and blocking distracting applications. It offers features like app limits, focus modes, and progress tracking to boost productivity and well-being. Achieve your goals by reducing phone usage and staying focused.

Highlights
  • Screen time control
  • App blocker
  • Focus difficulty settings
  • App usage limits
  • Mindful block screens
  • Focus reports and scores
  • Calendar integration for routines
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

Patacon App

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting applications during focus sessions. It allows you to select apps, activate focus modes, and track your progress. Designed for students, professionals, and anyone looking to reduce phone usage.

Highlights
  • Intelligent app blocking
  • Customizable focus profiles
  • Streak tracking and statistics
  • Strict mode for discipline
  • Minimalist interface
  • Limited emergency exits
Features
Read full description

Patacón es tu aliado para recuperar el control de tu tiempo frente a la pantalla. Vivimos pegados al celular. Redes sociales, juegos, videos... las horas pasan sin darnos cuenta. Patacón te ayuda a romper ese ciclo bloqueando las apps que más te distraen durante tus sesiones de enfoque. CÓMO FUNCIONA Selecciona las apps que quieres bloquear Activa tu sesión de enfoque Las apps seleccionadas se bloquean automáticamente Enfócate en lo que importa sin tentaciones CARACTERÍSTICAS PRINCIPALES Bloqueo inteligente de apps usando Screen Time Perfiles personalizados para diferentes momentos del día Seguimiento de rachas y estadísticas de enfoque Modo estricto para máxima disciplina Interfaz simple y minimalista Salidas de emergencia limitadas para situaciones urgentes PARA QUIÉN ES PATACÓN Estudiantes que necesitan concentrarse Profesionales que quieren ser más productivos Cualquier persona que siente que pierde tiempo en el celular Tu tiempo es tuyo. Patacón te ayuda a protegerlo.

Screenshots

Opal4 screens
Patacon App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Patacon App at none against Opal's 10. Patacon App also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.0). Opal's advantage is ratings volume (91K vs 5) and chart position (#48 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, 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 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Patacon App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Patacon App holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opal has 91K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Opal ships an update every 5 days, Patacon App every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Opal versus Patacon App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpalPatacon App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (91K ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings91K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank#48 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size332 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpal OSJonathan Teubal

Customer experience

Opal

All ratings90,917 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews5,755 reviews
Positive61.3%
Neutral9.2%
Negative29.5%

Patacon App

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Patacon App

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Opal

Subscriptions8
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Opal Student Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 5 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 trial2 variants$99.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan1 Month trial$99.991 Year
None

Patacon App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Opal free?
Opal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Patacon App free?
Patacon App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Opal or Patacon App?
Patacon App is rated higher. Opal averages 4.7 out of 5 from 91K ratings, while Patacon App averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Opal or Patacon App have ads?
Neither Opal nor Patacon App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Opal or Patacon App?
Opal ships an update every 5 days, and Patacon App every 8 days. Most recently, Opal was updated on November 8, 2026 and Patacon App on October 30, 2026.

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