Opal vs Unpluq

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

Unpluq

• People who want a physical step between themselves and social apps
• Locking a set of apps during work hours, evenings or weekends
• Parents setting app limits on a child's iPhone or Android phone

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.

Unpluq

• The free version stops at 2 blocked apps, 1 schedule and 2 barrier types.
• The Unpluq Tag only works with a Premium subscription, so the hardware price comes on top of one.
• Website blocking works only on iPhone and only in Safari; the FAQ says Android cannot block websites yet.
• Phone only: the App Store listing is iPhone-only, there is no desktop app, and the web store sets prices by country.

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.

Unpluq

Scheduled app blocking

Pick the apps to block and the hours they stay locked, such as work time, evenings or weekends. Premium allows unlimited schedules, each with its own set of up to 49 apps.

Distraction barriers

Opening a blocked app means completing a task first: shaking the phone, tapping a pattern of buttons, scrolling, scanning a QR code or a random pick. Android adds a walking barrier.

Unpluq Tag

A keychain-sized NFC fob that unlocks blocked apps when tapped against the phone. It needs Premium and works with iPhone 8 or later and Android phones that have NFC.

Screen time statistics

The app shows screen time stats so you can follow your progress, and the subscription page mentions tracking the time you have saved.

Emergency Mode

Once a day, Emergency Mode opens full access for 5 minutes so schedules can be changed without the Tag. It can be switched off entirely.

Unpluq Family

A parental-control edition: the parent chooses which apps a child can open and when, and keeps the Tag that unlocks the restricted ones. Lite covers up to 3 phones.

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.

Unpluq

• Unpluq Free$0

  Blocks 2 apps on 1 schedule, with 2 barriers to choose from: tapping buttons or shaking the phone.

• Premium Monthly$6.99

  per month, US App Store in-app purchase

  Unlimited blocked apps (up to 49 per schedule), unlimited schedules, every barrier type and Tag support. One subscription covers one phone and one tablet.

• Unpluq Tag$26.50

  one-time purchase, hardware only (US web store)

  The NFC key fob on its own, for people who already subscribe. It only works with Unpluq Premium.

• Premium Subscription (web store)$29

  per 3 months, prepaid on unpluq.com (US web store)

  Prepaid Premium by activation code: $29 for 3 months, $42 for 6 or $76 for 12 without a Tag; $29, $46 or $81 with a Tag. The homepage calls the 3-month term a summer offer.

• Premium Yearly$59.99

  per year, US App Store in-app purchase

  The same Premium features billed once a year through the App Store. Google Play lists its in-app items at $6.99 to $59.99.

• Unpluq Family$79.95

  per year for Lite, up to 3 phones (US web store)

  One Tag plus a 1-year Family subscription that renews automatically. Full, at $99.95, covers unlimited phones.

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.

Unpluq

• Annual discount

  Yearly Premium costs about 28% less than monthly

  The US App Store lists Unpluq Premium Yearly at $59.99 against Premium Monthly at $6.99, which comes to $83.88 over twelve months.

• Education

  40% off for university and college students

  Non-dependent students at accredited universities and colleges get 40% off the Unpluq Tag with a 6 or 12 month subscription after emailing proof of enrollment.

• Other savings

  30% off for military service members

  Unpluq's FAQ offers 30% off to active or former military service members who send proof of their veteran or active duty status to its support team.