6 alternativesOpal: Free to start

The best Opal alternatives

For most people the best alternative to Opal is one sec, and the best free one is ScreenZen.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Best alternativeone sec app iconone secPick it if you open social apps on autopilot and a short pause is enough to change your mind.Free to start
Best free alternativeScreenZen app iconScreenZenPick this if you want a pause plus daily open limits on your iPhone without paying anything.FreeAlso greatFreedom app iconFreedomPick this if you drift from your laptop to your phone and need both blocked at the same time.Free to start

Compare at a glance

Opal is highlighted, so you can see what you give up and what you gain.

AppPriceHow you payMaciPhoneiPadWatchApp StoreDeveloperSetappRating
Opal app iconOpalFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.7
one sec app iconone secFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.8
ScreenZen app iconScreenZenFreeFree4.9
Freedom app iconFreedomFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.5
Session app iconSessionFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.8
Flow app iconFlowFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.8
Endel app iconEndelFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.6

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The alternatives, in order

  1. 1one sec app icon

    one sec

    Free to startBest alternative4.8

    Pick it if you open social apps on autopilot and a short pause is enough to change your mind.

    A short breathing pause before Instagram or TikTok opens, enough friction to make you rethink the scroll without blocking anything.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  2. 2ScreenZen app icon

    ScreenZen

    FreeBest free4.9

    Pick this if you want a pause plus daily open limits on your iPhone without paying anything.

    A free speed bump before Instagram or TikTok opens, with daily open limits and settings you can lock away from yourself.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  3. 3Freedom app icon

    Freedom

    Free to start4.5

    Pick this if you drift from your laptop to your phone and need both blocked at the same time.

    Block the same apps and sites on your phone and computer at once, so there's nowhere left to drift off to.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  4. 4Session app icon

    Session

    Free to start4.8

    Pick this if you work in Pomodoro sprints on a Mac and want Slack and distracting sites silenced until the break.

    A Pomodoro timer for Mac that blocks distracting sites and apps and mutes Slack until your break.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  5. 5Flow app icon

    Flow

    Free to start4.8

    Pick it if you work in focused blocks and want a timer that stays out of the way in the menu bar.

    A Pomodoro timer in the Mac menu bar, with iPhone and Watch versions and a $39.99 lifetime Pro.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  6. 6Endel app icon

    Endel

    Free to start4.6

    Pick this if you want background sound that shifts with your day instead of a playlist that ends.

    Background sound that adapts to your day and your heart rate, with the classic focus and sleep modes free.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
Opal app icon

When Opal is still the right pick

You keep tapping Ignore Limit in Screen Time and need a block you can't argue your way past.

Opal prices and verdictFree to start