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Head-to-head · Focus Tools

Freedom vs Opal

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Freedom #1 in Focus Tools 8.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Freedom
Opal #7 in Focus Tools 7.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Opal

Freedom leads on 1 check, Opal on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFreedom · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceFreedom · $3.33/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Freedom scores higher on our rubric for focus tools: 8.9 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Freedom is cheaper to start at $3.33/user/mo against $8.29/user/mo.

Freedom is the better fit for cross-device blocking across desktop and mobile. Opal is the better fit for apple users who want hard-to-exit sessions.

  • Freedom fits best

    Cross-device blocking across desktop and mobile

  • Opal fits best

    Apple users who want hard-to-exit sessions

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Freedom 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Opal 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 7.9
Ranking #1 in Focus Tools #7 in Focus Tools
Best for Cross-device blocking across desktop and mobile Apple users who want hard-to-exit sessions
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $3.33/mo (best) $8.29/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days 7 days
Free trial length 7 days · card required 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Email, Live chat, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Freedom 0/4 · Opal 0/4
Website blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
App blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Focus timer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Session reports Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Blocks websites, apps, or the entire internet across devices
  • Syncs sessions and supports recurring schedules and Locked Mode
  • Works across desktop, mobile, web, and major browser extensions
  • Blocks distracting apps and websites across Mac, iPhone and Android
  • Hard Mode prevents ending sessions early
  • Apple Shortcuts and Focus Filters integrations
Cons
  • Advanced scheduling and Locked Mode require a paid plan
  • Monthly Premium costs more than annual billing
  • Free trial requires a card and support is not available 24/7
  • Free plan allows only one rule
  • Pro costs $19.99 monthly or $8.29/month billed annually
  • Lifetime Pro costs $399 upfront
Our verdict

Freedom is a distraction-blocking app for people who want structured focus during work, study, or personal time. It can block selected websites, desktop and mobile apps, or the entire internet, while synchronizing sessions across supported…

Read the review →

Opal is a distraction-blocking and digital-wellbeing app for people who want to reduce screen time across Mac, iPhone and Android. It blocks selected apps and websites, with scheduled sessions, time limits and open limits. Its Apple…

Read the review →
  1. FreedomFocus Tools 8.9Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. OpalFocus Tools 7.9Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Freedom — where it wins

    • Blocks websites, apps, or the entire internet across devices
    • Syncs sessions and supports recurring schedules and Locked Mode
    • Works across desktop, mobile, web, and major browser extensions

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced scheduling and Locked Mode require a paid plan
    • Monthly Premium costs more than annual billing
    • Free trial requires a card and support is not available 24/7

  • Opal — where it wins

    • Blocks distracting apps and websites across Mac, iPhone and Android
    • Hard Mode prevents ending sessions early
    • Apple Shortcuts and Focus Filters integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan allows only one rule
    • Pro costs $19.99 monthly or $8.29/month billed annually
    • Lifetime Pro costs $399 upfront
  • Freedom8.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A cross-device blocker with synced sessions, scheduling, and Locked Mode.

    Visit FreedomFull verdict →
  • Opal7.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    App and website blocking with schedules, limits and hard-to-exit sessions.

    Visit OpalFull verdict →

More comparisons

All focus tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update