Opal Alternatives: 4 Focus Apps Compared for 2026

Why people look for an Opal alternative

Common reasons include wanting a lower price, a stricter lock, fewer accounts, or a different style of friction. None of these mean Opal is bad; they mean different people break their rules in different ways.

Apple Screen Time / Digital Wellbeing (free)

Built in and free. Limits can be ignored with a tap unless someone else holds your passcode. Good starting point, weak against strong cravings.

one sec

Adds a breathing pause before an app opens. Gentle and effective for automatic, mindless opens rather than hard compulsions.

ScreenZen

Wait-to-open delays and open-count limits, with a generous free tier. Solid if you want friction without paying.

focuss

Strict lock sessions that cannot be cancelled with one tap, with three exit hatches: a 15-minute cooldown, an accountability partner's approval, or a typing challenge. Daily per-app allowances, Brick the grumpy mascot, and focus data kept on the device with no account. Free core focus; Pro is $4.99/month, $39/year with a 7-day trial, or $69 lifetime.

Which should you pick?

• Mild habit, want free: Screen Time or ScreenZen.
• Mindless opening: one sec.
• You always bypass limits: focuss strict sessions or a partner-held passcode.