Lagerland Lagerland

Movement-based · Private · On-device

Looking for an
Opal alternative?

Opal pioneered the consumer screen-time blocker. We respect it. But Opal's unlock cost is a tap-through — and a tap costs nothing. EarnLock locks the same apps until you actually move. Steps, active minutes, or active calories — measured by Apple Health, not self-reported. The shield shows a live progress ring with the exact count remaining. $19.99 lifetime, one-time — or $1.99/mo / $9.99/yr with a 7-day free trial.

See EarnLock Compare side by side

How does EarnLock compare to Opal?

Compared against Opal's public App Store description and pricing page. Re-verify before switching — competitor offerings change frequently.

Feature EarnLock Opal
How blocked apps unlock Daily activity goal hit (steps / active minutes / active calories), measured by Apple Health Tap-through session limit or wait-out timer
Custom shield with live progress ring on the blocked app Yes — ShieldConfiguration extension paints a ring + "X steps until unlock" Generic Family Controls restriction screen
Apple Watch app + complications Yes — Watch reads HealthKit on-wrist, count keeps running without the iPhone iPhone only
Cheapest one-time / lifetime tier $19.99 lifetime (one-time) No lifetime — subscription only
Cheapest paid monthly tier $1.99 / month (or $9.99 / year) — 7-day free trial on either ~$7.99 / month (annual plan) — Pro typically ~$99/year
Account or sign-up required No — no email, no Apple ID required Account required
Third-party tracking SDKs None — Apple verifies "Data Not Collected" Multiple — analytics and growth SDKs disclosed in nutrition label
Daily emergency unlock Yes — 1/day, math-gated (real arithmetic) Yes — tap a button to start a session
Streak engine with rest days Yes — one rest day per week protects the streak Yes — streaks are central to Opal's loop
Family Sharing eligible Yes — every paid tier (Monthly, Yearly, Lifetime); one purchase covers up to 5 family members No — Opal's account model is per-user, not Family-shareable
39 locales (incl. RTL Arabic + Hebrew) Yes English-focused; check current localization

Verified 2026-05-22 against Opal's public App Store page and pricing page. Mechanism descriptions reflect each app's own published documentation; re-verify before switching.

When should I pick Opal instead?

Honest answer — pick Opal if any of these matter more than the activity-goal mechanic:

EarnLock is built for a specific person: someone who has tried Opal-style tap-through blockers, found the friction theatre, and wants the unlock cost to be something their body actually pays.

About EarnLock

EarnLock icon
EarnLock
Earn your screen time. Move, then scroll.
Lock Instagram, TikTok, X until you hit your daily step goal. Custom shield, Apple Watch, no account, no server. $19.99 lifetime — or free.
lifestyle iOS · watchOS

Questions

FAQ

What is the best alternative to Opal?
EarnLock is a privacy-first, movement-based alternative to Opal. Instead of session-based timers and tap-through limits, EarnLock locks your selected apps until you hit a real daily activity goal — steps, active minutes, or active energy — measured by Apple Health on the device. The custom Family Controls shield paints a live progress ring with the exact count remaining on every blocked app. Apple Watch is a first-class surface. $19.99 lifetime (one-time) versus Opal's subscription-only pricing. No account, no analytics SDK, no server.
How is EarnLock different from Opal?
Three things. (1) The unlock cost is body movement measured by Apple Health, not a tap-through or wait-out timer. (2) The shield over each blocked app shows a live progress ring with the exact number you have left — Opal renders Apple's generic restriction screen. (3) Pricing — $19.99 lifetime (one-time) versus Opal's subscription. No account is required for any of EarnLock's features.
Is EarnLock cheaper than Opal?
Yes. EarnLock offers a $19.99 one-time lifetime tier — no recurring charge, no scheduled price increase. Opal is subscription-only — Opal Pro is typically $7.99–$11.99 per month or roughly $99 per year. EarnLock's lifetime tier pays back in roughly 2.5 months versus Opal's monthly price; after that everything you'd have paid Opal stays in your pocket.
Does EarnLock work on Apple Watch?
Yes. EarnLock's Watch app reads HealthKit on the Watch directly, so the count keeps running on long walks, runs, and gym sessions without the iPhone. Complications mount on modular, circular, corner, and graphic faces. When the Watch crosses the goal, the iPhone's shields drop within seconds.
Is EarnLock private?
Yes. EarnLock has no account, no server, no analytics SDK, no advertising SDK, and no third-party SDKs of any kind. HealthKit data is read on-device only and never transmitted off the device. Apple's App Privacy nutrition label shows Data Not Collected for every release. Self-restriction only — never parental control.
Can EarnLock block the same apps Opal can?
Yes. Both apps use Apple's Family Controls framework, so the picker that selects which apps to block is the same iOS-provided UI. Any iOS app or category Opal can block, EarnLock can block, and vice versa — the difference is how each app decides when to unlock.

Start here

Try EarnLock.

Movement is the unlock. Apple Health is the proof. No account, no server, no analytics SDK.

Learn about EarnLock