Comparison

12Focus vs Opal: blocking for goals vs blocking for focus.

Both offer app blocking. The difference is what the blocking is tied to.

Get 12Focus How it works

An example deal: choose the apps, a daily budget and what each finished action earns.

About Opal

Opal is a dedicated app blocker for iPhone, Android, and Mac.

Opal does one thing very well: it blocks apps and gives you back your attention. It has a clean interface, focus sessions you can trigger on demand or on a schedule, screen time tracking that shows you where your hours actually go, and a Focus Score. There's also a social layer — you can see friends' screen time and compete or commiserate.

If you're trying to use your phone less and need something that enforces that with real friction, Opal is a strong choice. The blocking is reliable, the sessions are flexible, and the screen time awareness is genuinely useful.

Feature	Opal	12Focus
Platform	iOS, Android, Mac	Web, iOS, Android
App blocking	Yes — sessions & schedules	iPhone and Android: daily allowance + earned minutes
Goal system	No	Yes — 12-week goals
Weekly reviews	No	Yes
Accountability partner	No (social screen time)	Yes

Where 12Focus is different

12Focus connects app time to your goal-related actions.

Set a daily allowance for the apps that distract you. Completing planned actions earns extra minutes. When the allowance runs out, selected apps pause until midnight unless you earn more time. Available on iPhone and Android; Android requires Usage Access and Accessibility permissions.

Blocking with a reason

The friction isn't random. It's there because you have something specific to finish. That context changes how the blocking feels and how seriously you take it.

A goal system underneath

12Focus starts with a 12-week goal, breaks it into weekly priorities, and tracks your execution over time. Blocking is one piece of that system, not the whole product.

Weekly accountability loop

Every week ends with a review: what happened, what didn't, what changes. An accountability partner sees your progress. Opal's social features are centered on screen time, while 12Focus is built around weekly commitments and reviews.

If you want to use your phone less, Opal is excellent. If you want to use your phone less because you're trying to finish something specific, 12Focus is built for that.

How we compare

What this comparison covers

12Focus publishes this comparison. We reviewed Opal's public product information on August 3, 2026 and compare publicly described features, not a hands-on test. Features and availability can change, so verify the latest details before choosing.

Read Opal's product overview

If you have goals you keep not finishing, 12Focus is the better fit.

A daily allowance gives distracting apps a limit. Completed planned actions earn more app time on iPhone and Android.

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