minimalist phone vs Opal

minimalist phone

• People who open social apps out of habit and want friction first
• Android users who want a text-only launcher in place of app icons
• Buyers who prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription

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

minimalist phone

• There is no free plan: after the 7-day trial you choose a monthly, yearly or lifetime purchase.
• No prices are published on the vendor's site. The US App Store lists several amounts for each plan, and Google Play shows a range of $0.29 to $59.99 per item.
• The iPhone app requires iOS 17 or later and is not offered for iPad; there is no desktop or browser version.
• Hiding apps and notifications, monochrome mode and short-video blocking are listed for Android but not on the iPhone page.

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.

minimalist phone

Icon-free home screen

A text-only list of apps takes the place of the icon grid. On Android the app is a launcher that replaces the default home screen; on iPhone the layout is built from text-based widgets.

App and website blocking

Block chosen apps and websites for a few hours, or put apps into a detox mode that the Android page says can run for 30 days.

Mindful launch delay

A 15-second pause before a chosen app opens, intended to interrupt the habit of opening apps without thinking.

In-app reminders

Set a time limit each time you open an app. A reminder appears while you are in it, and you are pushed out when the time is up.

Blocking schedules

Recurring windows in which chosen apps are blocked, for work, study or sleep. The vendor's iOS page lists them, while its App Store description still says they are coming soon.

Notification filter and monochrome mode

On Android you can hide apps and their notifications and show selected apps in black and white. The Google Play listing also mentions blocking short videos.

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.

minimalist phone

• Monthly Plan$2.99 or $4.99

  per month, US App Store; two amounts listed

  Subscription with a 7-day free trial. The listing shows $4.99 and $2.99 and does not say which one a new subscriber pays.

• Annual Plan$9.99 or $19.99

  per year, US App Store; two amounts listed

  Yearly subscription with a 7-day free trial, listed at $19.99 and $9.99.

• Lifetime access$29.99 to $69.99

  one-time, US App Store; four amounts listed

  One-time purchase listed at $29.99, $49.99, $59.99 and $69.99. It is charged immediately, with a 7-day refund in place of a trial.

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.

minimalist phone

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime access for a one-time payment

  A lifetime option is sold alongside the monthly and yearly plans. The US App Store lists it at $29.99 to $69.99, and the vendor says it is charged immediately with a 7-day refund.

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.