Comparison
Lerf vs Opal
Opal and Lerf sit at opposite ends of the same problem. Opal is software: focus analytics, schedules, scores, and subscription pricing for its paid tiers. Lerf is an object: a $39 adhesive tag that starts a timed block with one tap, the app included, and deliberately no stats at all. The choice is mostly about what motivates you — data, or distance.
| Lerf | Opal | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39 one-time tag, app included · app alone $14.99/mo or $79.99/yr after a free trial | Free tier · paid plans are subscription-based |
| Type | Physical tag + iPhone app | Software only |
| Stats, scores, streaks | None by design | Detailed focus stats, scores, and streaks |
| Where the block starts | A tap on a physical tag, outside the phone | Inside the app, on the phone |
| Hardware required | Optional — sessions can also start in the app | None |
How Opal works
Opal is a screen-time app built on Apple's Screen Time framework. You create schedules and focus sessions in the app, and Opal blocks your chosen apps during them, with reporting on focus time, scores, and progress. The free tier covers basic blocking; deeper controls and insights sit in the paid subscription.
Choose Opal if…
Numbers motivate you — you want focus scores, session history, and progress you can watch. You want recurring scheduled blocks managed entirely in software. You want to try the idea without buying anything physical. You want a mature product with years of iteration behind it.
Choose Lerf if…
You'd rather pay once than subscribe: the Tag is $39 one-time and the app comes with it. Report cards stress you out — Lerf keeps no dashboards, streaks, or scores on purpose. You want the start of a block to be a physical act outside the phone, at the spot where the habit happens. You want an app with no account and an App Store privacy label of “Data Not Collected.”
The honest take
Optimizers who love data tend to be happier with Opal. People who are tired of being measured — who want the phone to do less, not report more — tend to be happier with Lerf. They're different theories of how a habit actually breaks, and both have users they fit.
Common questions
Is Lerf subscription-free?
With the Tag, yes: $39 once, app included, no recurring charge. Without a Tag, the app is $14.99/month or $79.99/year after a free trial.
Does Lerf track my screen time?
No. Lerf keeps no stats, scores, or streaks by design, and Apple's Screen Time framework keeps your app choices and usage on your phone, where Lerf can't read them. The app sends anonymous product analytics and subscription status to its providers; see the privacy policy.
Do I need the Lerf Tag for the app to work?
No. Sessions can be started in the app itself. The Tag makes starting a session a one-tap physical ritual — it's optional.
Which is stricter, Lerf or Opal?
Both offer strict options. The practical difference is where the block starts and what you see afterward: Opal manages everything in software with detailed reporting; Lerf starts sessions from a physical tag and shows you nothing to check.
More on how tap-to-block works: NFC app blocking, explained.
Compare Lerf with: Brick · ScreenZen · Apple Screen Time
Lerf is an iPhone app blocker designed to help people stop compulsive scrolling and put their phone down. It blocks selected distracting apps during timed sessions and can start a blocking session through an optional physical NFC accessory called the Lerf Tag.
Sources
- Opal — official site (opal.so) — accessed August 2026
Lerf is not affiliated with or endorsed by Opal. Product information may change; see each company's official site for current details. Comparison written by the developer of Lerf; we've tried to keep it honest, including where the alternative wins. Details checked August 2026.