Freedom vs Opal

Freedom

• People who want one blocking session to cover a computer and a phone together
• Cutting off the whole internet, not only selected sites, for a set period
• Buyers who would rather pay once for lifetime access than subscribe

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

Freedom

• Free accounts are limited to Start Now sessions of up to 2 hours; scheduling, recurring sessions and Locked Mode need Premium.
• Linux and Chromebook are supported through the browser extension only, and app blocking is not available on Chromebook.
• Website exceptions, which allow only the sites you list, work on Mac and Windows only.

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.

Freedom

Website, app and internet blocking

A session can block chosen websites, chosen apps or all internet access. App blocking covers Mac, Windows, iOS and Android but not Chromebook.

Preset and custom blocklists

Start from a preset list of distracting sites and apps or build your own. On Mac and Windows a list can also work in reverse, allowing only the sites you name.

Sessions across devices

One session can include several devices at once, such as a laptop and a phone. Every plan, including Free, allows unlimited devices.

Scheduled and recurring sessions

Premium lets sessions start automatically at a set time and repeat on a schedule. Free accounts can only start a session immediately.

Locked Mode

A Premium setting that prevents a session from being ended before its timer runs out.

Focus sounds

Background audio for a session, with a choice of music and ambient recordings such as cafes, libraries and nature.

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.

Freedom

• Free$0

  Website, app and internet blocking on unlimited devices with custom blocklists. Start Now sessions only, capped at 2 hours.

• Premium Yearly$3.33

  per month, billed yearly ($39.99)

  Adds scheduled, recurring and start-later sessions, Locked Mode, sessions longer than 2 hours and partner discounts.

• Premium Monthly$8.99

  per month, billed monthly

  The same Premium features as the yearly plan, paid month to month.

• Forever$199

  one-time purchase

  Lifetime Premium access with no recurring charge. The pricing page showed it marked down to $99.50 on the date checked.

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.

Freedom

• Annual discount

  Lower price with yearly billing

  Premium costs $39.99 billed yearly, shown as $3.33 a month, against $8.99 billed monthly. The pricing page labels the yearly option "Save 40%".

• Lifetime license

  Forever plan: pay once for lifetime Premium

  Freedom sells lifetime Premium access as a single payment with no recurring charges. The list price is $199; the pricing page showed $99.50 on the date checked.

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.