Report updated Apr 2, 2026
Opal: Screen Time Control
v3.155Professionals, students, and individuals struggling with digital addiction or ADHD who want to reclaim time and improve productivity.
What Is Opal: Screen Time Control?
Launched Dec 15, 2020
Updated Mar 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
A high-protection mode that prevents users from bypassing or canceling active block sessions.
Displays quotes and puns when a user attempts to open a blocked app, adding a layer of behavioral friction.
Syncs with system-level focus modes and automation shortcuts for hands-free session management.
Unlocks unique digital rewards and badges based on focus duration and consistency.
Provides metrics and benchmarks to track screen time and focus levels over time.
Allows users to create custom blocklists for specific apps and websites.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate effective screen time reduction and premium ui and design, but report excessive data and battery drain and buggy blocking and timers.”
What Users Love
reduced my screen time average 11 hour to 3 hours per day in just 1 week
my productivity has improved so much since that time
The UI & UX feels SO premium and sleek like whoever made this app is so cool
The UI is so sexy, and I love most of the customization options
The unlock gems animation is so satisfying
feel rewarded for their efforts to reduce screen time with little punishment
Pain Points
opal has been using ~50GB data over WiFi every month
used 47gb of my mobile data and 35gb in February. Absolutely outrageous.
apps were getting blocked after using them for as little as a minute
extremely glitchy. The home page will not show any of the stats
$20/month or $100/year is WILD for the functionality it offers
led me straight to the one year plan that charged me $100. This app is a scam.
only takes going to the phone settings, opening the app, and restricting screen time access, and it becomes useless
FAR too easy to just turn off the focus mode with no penalty, then turn it back on
High confidence · 99 reviews available
How is it ranked?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Grossing | #39 | ▼4 |
| Free | #67 | ▼2 |
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Premium UI/UX: Highly praised, sleek design that feels professional and engaging.
- Deep Focus Mode: A strict, un-bypassable mode that directly solves the core user problem of weak willpower.
- Gamification: Effective use of milestones and 'Focus Gems' to build positive reinforcement.
- Strong iOS Presence: High rating (4.78) and massive review volume indicate strong product-market fit on Apple devices.
Cons
- Catastrophic Background Drain: Severe data (up to 50GB/month reported) and battery drain issues, especially on Android.
- Glitchy Core Mechanics: Timers and blocking mechanisms frequently fail or trigger incorrectly.
- High Price Point: At $100/year, the subscription cost alienates a significant portion of the user base, particularly students.
- Bypass Vulnerabilities: Savvy users can still bypass restrictions via iOS settings, undermining the app's core promise.
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Android Market Capture: Fixing the severe Android bugs could open up a massive, currently underserved user base.
- Tiered Pricing/Student Discounts: Introducing a lower-tier subscription could capture users fleeing the $100/year price tag.
- Hardware Integration: Developing or partnering with physical NFC blockers (like competitor Brick) to create a hybrid physical/digital lock.
- B2B/Enterprise Expansion: Leveraging their 'professional-grade' messaging to sell team-wide focus licenses to corporations.
Market Threats
- Direct Clones: Apps like Jomo and ScreenZen offer nearly identical Screen Time API features, often at lower price points.
- Hardware Disruptors: Physical devices like Brick offer a tangible, un-hackable alternative that software alone cannot match.
- Native OS Improvements: Apple and Google continuously improving their native, free Screen Time features could render third-party apps obsolete.
- Churn from Technical Debt: If the data and battery drain issues are not resolved quickly, negative word-of-mouth will accelerate churn.
Who competes with Opal: Screen Time Control?
The Nemesis
Why it's a threat
- +
Users are happier — sentiment 90/100 vs 52
- +
Tournament Hosting
Contenders
BePresent: Screen Time Control
Screen Detox Inc
Directly rivals Opal with a nearly identical feature set including Screen Time API blocking, strict rules, and focus sessions.
Directly rivals Opal with a nearly identical feature set including Screen Time API blocking, strict rules, and focus sessions.
Freedom Trail GPS Audio Guide
Cluminati LLC
Competes directly on cross-platform app and website blocking with a strict 'Locked Mode' similar to Opal's Deep Focus.
Competes directly on cross-platform app and website blocking with a strict 'Locked Mode' similar to Opal's Deep Focus.
Flora of Virginia
High Country Apps, LLC
A gamified focus timer that uses social accountability and virtual plant growing to keep users off distracting apps.
A gamified focus timer that uses social accountability and virtual plant growing to keep users off distracting apps.
Peers
Session - Private Messenger
The Loki Project
A premium focus timer that blocks websites and tracks analytics, appealing to the professional productivity crowd.
A premium focus timer that blocks websites and tracks analytics, appealing to the professional productivity crowd.
Tide Times UK
Rory Buckley
Offers focus timers paired with ambient noise, targeting the mindful productivity and well-being ecosystem.
Offers focus timers paired with ambient noise, targeting the mindful productivity and well-being ecosystem.
New Kids on the Block
A rapidly growing, highly innovative competitor that uses a physical NFC device to lock and unlock distracting apps.
Power Block System
Cape to Cape Track Guide
Find the Fun Pty Ltd
A newer utility that leverages the Screen Time API to completely hide apps from the home screen and app library.
A newer utility that leverages the Screen Time API to completely hide apps from the home screen and app library.
What are the key takeaways?
Opal: Screen Time Control is a divisive productivity app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.8/5 rating from 71.7K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate effective screen time reduction, though excessive data and battery drain remains a common concern.
Best for: Professionals, students, and individuals struggling with digital addiction or ADHD who want to reclaim time and improve productivity.
How much does it cost?
Model: freemium
Uses a freemium model to build a large user base, leveraging social proof and gamification to convert users to a recurring subscription model.
iOS Version
3.155
Android Version
2.05.00
Release Date
Dec 15, 2020
iOS Price
Free
Android Price
Free
Developer
Opal OS