Alternatives · Focus
Opal alternatives
Opal compared with 12 alternatives: Freedom, Forest, Cold Turkey Blocker, Session, AppBlock and 7 more.
Opal has a free plan. Paid plans start at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99). 10 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpalThis tool | Free plan · from $8.29/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS, Android |
| Freedom | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Forest | Free plan · from $5.99/mo | Yes | iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Cold Turkey Blocker | Free plan · from $45 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Browser extension |
| Session | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| AppBlock | Free plan · from $2.50/mo | Yes | iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| BePresent | Free plan · from $3.99/mo | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Bloom | From $39 one-time | No | iOS, Android |
| Brick | From $59 one-time | No | iOS, Android |
| Clearspace | Free plan · from $6.99/mo | Yes | iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Focus Bear | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Foqos | Free | Free | macOS, iOS |
| Jomo | Free plan · from $2.49/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
How each one differs from Opal
- Free plan · from $3.33/mo
Freedom
Website and app blocker that runs across computers and phones
- Freedom starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Freedom lists a Windows app.
- Only Freedom lists a browser extension.
Suits: People who want one blocking session to cover a computer and a phone together
- Free plan · from $5.99/mo
Forest
Focus timer that grows a virtual tree while you stay off apps
- Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Forest lists a browser extension.
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- Opal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Forest also covers Pomodoro timer.
Suits: People who respond to a visual reward for staying off their phone
- Free plan · from $45 one-time
Cold Turkey Blocker
Website and app blocker for Windows and Mac with strict locks
- Cold Turkey Blocker starts at $45 one-time purchase (Blocker Pro). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Cold Turkey Blocker lists a Windows app.
- Only Cold Turkey Blocker lists a browser extension.
- Only Opal lists iOS and Android apps.
- Cold Turkey Blocker also covers Pomodoro timer.
Suits: People who talk themselves out of softer blockers mid-session
- Free plan · from $3.33/mo
Session
Pomodoro focus timer with analytics for Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Session starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Opal lists an Android app.
- Opal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Session also covers Pomodoro timer and time tracking.
- Opal also covers focus music.
Suits: Mac and iPhone users who work in Pomodoro intervals
- Free plan · from $2.50/mo
AppBlock
App and website blocker with schedules and a strict mode
- AppBlock starts at $2.50 / month, billed yearly ($29.99). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only AppBlock lists a browser extension.
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- AppBlock also covers Pomodoro timer.
- Opal also covers focus music.
Suits: Phone users who want blocks that start by time, place or Wi-Fi network
- Free plan · from $3.99/mo
BePresent
Gamified screen time app with app blocking, streaks and rewards
- BePresent starts at $3.99 / month or $24.99 / year (US App Store; several amounts listed). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- Opal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- BePresent also covers time tracking.
- Opal also covers focus music.
Suits: People who respond to streaks, points and leaderboards more than to hard limits
- From $39 one-time
Bloom
Metal NFC keycard you tap to lock distracting phone apps
- Bloom starts at $39 one-time purchase (card; the app has no subscription). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Opal has a free plan. Bloom does not.
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- Opal also covers focus music.
Suits: People who keep dismissing software-only screen time limits
- From $59 one-time
Brick
Physical device you tap to block distracting phone apps
- Brick starts at $59 one-time purchase (device; the app is free). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Opal has a free plan. Brick does not.
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- Opal also covers focus music.
Suits: People who override app-based blockers and want a physical barrier
- Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Clearspace
Screen time app that adds a pause and a time limit to distracting apps
- Clearspace starts at $6.99 / month, or $44.99 / year (US App Store). Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Clearspace lists a browser extension.
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- Opal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Clearspace also covers time tracking.
Suits: People who want friction before social apps rather than a hard block
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Focus Bear
Distraction blocker and guided routines built for ADHD brains
- Focus Bear starts at $9.99 / month, billed monthly. Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Focus Bear lists a Windows app.
- Opal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Focus Bear also covers tasks, Pomodoro timer and habit tracking.
Suits: People with ADHD or autism who want guided routines, not only a blocker
- Free
Foqos
Free open-source iPhone app blocker using NFC tags or QR codes
- Foqos is free. Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Opal lists an Android app.
- Foqos is open source, according to its own site.
- Opal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Opal also covers focus music.
Suits: iPhone users who want a free alternative to hardware app blockers
- Free plan · from $2.49/mo
Jomo
Screen time blocker for iPhone, iPad and Mac with flexible rules
- Jomo starts at $2.49 / month billed annually ($29.99), or $5.99 monthly. Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99).
- Only Opal lists an Android app.
- Jomo also covers time tracking.
- Opal also covers focus music.
Suits: iPhone and Mac users who want the same blocking rules on both
Limits worth knowing in Opal
- The free plan allows 1 rule and shows the Opal Score for the current day only.
- Hard Mode, Allow Only, unlimited rules and score history all require Pro.
- No Windows, Linux or web version is listed, and the App Store lists the iOS app for iPhone only.
- Opal's Mac page lists app limits and sync with the iPhone app as still to come on Mac.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Opal?
The alternatives to Opal in this directory are Freedom, Forest, Cold Turkey Blocker, Session, AppBlock, BePresent, Bloom, Brick, Clearspace, Focus Bear, Foqos and Jomo. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Opal.
Is there a free alternative to Opal?
Yes. Foqos is free to use. Freedom, Forest, Cold Turkey Blocker, Session, AppBlock, BePresent, Clearspace, Focus Bear and Jomo have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Opal alternatives work on Windows?
The Opal listing does not include a Windows app. Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker and Focus Bear list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Opal?
Foqos is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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