Brick vs Opal

Brick

• People who override app-based blockers and want a physical barrier
• Households sharing one device across several phones
• Leaving distractions in another room during work, meals or sleep

Opal

• Phone users who want distracting apps blocked automatically by rule
• People who want a block that cannot be switched off once it starts
• Students, who can apply for half-price yearly Pro

Brick

• Unblocking needs the physical Brick; if it is lost, the app offers five Emergency Unbricks and more only on request.
• On iPhone it blocks any app except Phone, but only selected Safari sites from Apple's approved list.
• It needs iOS 17.0 or later or Android 12.0 or later; the App Store lists the app for iPhone only, and no desktop version is offered.
• Cases at $39 and the Brick Mount at $15 are sold separately from the $59 device.

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.

Brick

Tap to block, tap to unblock

Tapping the phone against the Brick blocks the chosen apps, and only another tap on the device restores them. It has no battery and needs no Wi-Fi.

Custom modes

Up to 10 modes, such as work, family, sleep or gym, each blocking its own set of apps. A mode can instead allow only chosen apps and block the rest.

Remote start

Holding the virtual Brick in the app for 5 seconds starts a session from anywhere. The physical device is still needed to end it.

Strict Mode

Closes common loopholes by preventing the app from being deleted or its settings changed in order to unblock.

Emergency Unbricks

The app includes five Emergency Unbricks that unblock every app if the device is lost. More can be requested from support by email.

Schedules and analytics

The site lists schedules and analytics alongside modes, and a focus timer starts with each session to record distraction-free time.

Opal

Focus Rules

Rules block chosen apps automatically on a schedule, after a time limit or after a set number of opens. The free plan allows 1 rule and Pro removes the cap.

Focus Timer

Pick what to work on, set a duration and stay locked in until the timer runs out. Advanced timers and soundscapes are part of Pro.

Hard Mode

A Pro setting under which Opal cannot be turned off while a block is active.

Opal Score

A single daily score built from sleep, focus and rest signals. Free accounts see today's score; the history needs Pro.

Mac app

Sessions block distracting websites and apps on macOS 13 or later, with the same Normal, Timeout and Deep Focus levels as the iOS app.

Opal for Schools

A separate school program in which administrators block set apps during school hours and follow usage on a dashboard.

Brick

• Brick$59

  one-time purchase per device

  One Brick device, used with the free companion app and any number of phones. Sold with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Opal

• Free$0

  App blocking with 1 rule, basic timers and soundscapes, and the Opal Score for the current day.

• Opal Pro (yearly)$8.29

  per month, billed annually ($99.99)

  Unlimited rules, Hard Mode, Allow Only, advanced timers and soundscapes, and Opal Score history.

• Opal Pro (monthly)$19.99

  per month, billed monthly

  The same Pro features paid month to month; the pricing page puts the cost at $239 over a year.

• Opal Pro (lifetime)$399

  one-time purchase

  Pro features for a single payment with no subscription.

• Opal Teams ProCustom

  Everything in Opal Pro with a single invoice, advanced support and training, and an account manager.

Brick

• Other savings

  10% off two or more Bricks

  The product page prices two Bricks at $106.20 instead of $118, a 10% saving, and adds free shipping on orders of two or more.

• Other savings

  20% off for military, teachers and medics

  US military, first responders, teachers and medical professionals who verify through ID.me get 20% off a Brick. It applies to new customers and to the device only.

• Education

  Student discount

  Brick's site links a Student Discount page for unlocking a discount. The page text does not show the amount.

Opal

• Annual discount

  Yearly billing costs about 58% less than monthly

  Opal Pro is $99.99 billed annually ($8.29 a month) against $19.99 billed monthly, which the pricing page totals at $239 a year.

• Education

  Student discount: 50% off Opal Pro

  Students can apply for 50% off the yearly Opal Pro plan, shown as $49.99 billed annually ($4.19 a month).

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Opal Pro for a one-time payment

  The pricing page lists a lifetime Opal Pro option at $399, paid once.