Locked In vs Opal
Locked In is an iPhone app that blocks distracting apps by time, by place, or on demand. Its App Store tagline is "Text a Friend to Unblock Apps": with Guardian (Pro), a friend you pick approves or declines by text when you try to end a block early. It's a friend keeping you honest, not a hard lock.
Which is better, Locked In or Opal?
Pick Opal if you want a block you truly can't cancel (its Pro Hard Mode), or apps on iPhone, Android and Mac; pick Locked In if you want apps to lock automatically when you arrive at a place, a friend to keep you honest, and a lower Pro price ($89/year vs Opal's $99.99/year). It depends on whether you need a hard lock or friendly friction.
Side-by-side (as of Oct 2026)
| Locked In | Opal | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 18+) | iPhone (iOS 18+), Android, Mac |
| How it blocks | Apple Screen Time technology | Check Opal's site for current details |
| Free plan | One Quick Block a day, up to 5 minutes | "Free, forever": 1 Rule (schedule, time limit or open limit), app blocking, basic timers |
| Pro price (US) | $9.99/month or $89/year | $19.99/month, $99.99/year, or $399 lifetime |
| Free trial | 7 days on monthly and annual Pro | Free week on yearly; 3 days on monthly (Opal website) |
| Block now (timer) | Quick Block; Pro chooses up to 4 hours, extendable | Timers / Sessions (up to 14 days per Opal release notes) |
| Schedules | Yes (Pro) | Yes (Rules) |
| Block by location | Yes: Red Zones lock apps when you arrive at a saved place (Pro) | Via iPhone Shortcuts automations, not a built-in location rule |
| Daily time / open limits | None: no daily time limits or open limits | Yes |
| Can't-cancel mode | No strict mode; deleting Locked In removes its blocks | Yes: Hard Mode / Deep Focus (Pro) and App Uninstall Protection |
| Friend accountability | Guardian (Pro only): a friend approves or denies early unlocks on a web page that opens in any phone browser; requests expire after 15 minutes; you can always choose math problems or typing a phrase instead | Leaderboards with friends; no friend-approval unlock found on Opal's pages |
| Website blocking | Not claimed - use Apple Screen Time for websites | Yes (apps and websites) |
| Stats / scores | None: no screen-time stats or score | Check Opal's site for current details |
Who should pick which
Choose Opal if:
- You need a block you can't back out of (Hard Mode), or protection against deleting the app.
- You want daily time limits or open limits.
- You also want it on Android or Mac, or need website blocking.
Choose Locked In if:
- You want apps like TikTok to lock automatically when you get to the office, gym or library (Red Zones).
- A hard lock backfires for you, and a friend who keeps you honest works better. Your Guardian (a Pro feature) approves or denies early unlocks, and you can always solve math problems or type a phrase instead.
- You want a lower-priced Pro plan: $89/year vs $99.99/year.
Either works if: you just want to block social apps on a schedule, like weeknights after 10 PM.
FAQ
Is Locked In cheaper than Opal? As of Oct 2026, Locked In Pro is $9.99 a month or $89 a year; Opal Pro is $19.99 a month, $99.99 a year, or $399 lifetime (Opal's pricing page). Opal's free plan is more generous (one ongoing Rule); Locked In's free plan is one Quick Block a day, up to 5 minutes.
Does Locked In have a hard mode like Opal? No. Locked In has no strict mode, and deleting it removes its blocks. Early unlocks on Pro go through math problems, typing a phrase, or asking your Guardian.
Can Opal block apps by location? Opal's App Store page says Shortcuts automations can start or stop sessions based on location and more. Locked In builds this in with Red Zones.
Can a friend unlock my apps in Opal? We didn't find a friend-approval unlock on Opal's site or App Store page as of Oct 2026; it has friend leaderboards. In Locked In Pro, a Guardian can approve or deny your early unlock request.
Does Locked In block websites? Don't count on it. Locked In blocks apps. Use Apple Screen Time for websites, or an app like Opal that blocks websites.
Is there a free trial? Locked In: start with a 7-day free trial. Cancel anytime. Opal: a free week on yearly and 3 days on monthly, per its website.
Get Locked In on the App Store
Sources
- Opal on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/opal-screen-time-for-focus/id1497465230
- Opal pricing: https://www.opal.so/pricing
- Opal Help Center, Opal Pro: https://help.opalapp.com/article/how-and-why-should-i-subscribe-to-opal-pro
- Locked In on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6758916241
- Apple Screen Time: https://support.apple.com/en-us/108806