Sidebyside
| Stint | Opal | |
|---|---|---|
| Blocking | Screen Time shields during sessions | Screen Time shields on schedules and sessions |
| What stops you unblocking | Your share of the prize pool | A wait, or Deep Focus mode |
| Other people | A pool with a shared goal and chat | None |
| Money | Free app; entry fees go into pools; optional Pro | Subscription for full features |
| Counts focus | Only inside your chosen work apps | Tracks screen time overall |
| Platform | iPhone | iPhone, with a Mac companion |
| Best for | Deep work in blocks, with stakes | Less phone overall, no stakes |
WhereOpalwins
- You want an all-day, every-day reduction in phone use, not defined work sessions.
- You do not bypass blockers much; a wait is enough for you.
- You want screen time stats and schedules more than a challenge.
WhereStintwins
- You have turned off every blocker you ever installed.
- Your work happens in blocks: coding, writing, studying, building.
- You want someone else to notice when you skip a day.
- You would rather have money on the line than pay a monthly fee for a lock you own the key to.
HowStintturnsablockintoaconsequence
You join a pool: a small group, same daily focus goal, same number of days. Everyone pays an entry fee into a shared prize pool.
When you start a session, the apps you chose are shielded through Screen Time. Focus time counts only inside the work apps you picked. Open a blocked app and the session ends.
Meet the goal every day and you qualify. Everyone who qualifies splits the pool. Miss it and you forfeit your share. Nothing else is ever charged.
Questionspeopleask
Is Stint cheaper than Opal?
Stint is free to download and join pools; the entry fee is yours and goes into the pool, and finishers get it back with a share of the rest. Stint Pro is optional. Opal's full features are behind a subscription.
Can I use both?
You can, but two apps shielding the same apps gets confusing. Most people pick one for work sessions.
