minded vs Opal
Opal is a polished screen-time blocker with detailed stats; minded is a free, gentle pause that calms your browser. Here’s how they compare.
Last reviewed: July 2026
The short version
Opal is the better fit if you want enforced blocking and detailed screen-time stats on your phone. minded is the better fit if you want a free tool that calms your browser’s new tab, adds a gentle pause instead of a lockout, and helps you notice patterns in mood and screen habits.
Feature comparison
| Feature | minded | Opal |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | A mindful pause + a calm new tab | Block apps & sites on a schedule |
| Platforms | Chrome extension, Android | iOS, Android |
| Desktop support | Chrome extension | macOS app |
| New tab dashboard | Yes | No |
| Mood & energy check-ins | Yes | No |
| Screen-time analytics | Light patterns | Detailed stats |
| Hard app/site blocking | No — friction, not lockout | Yes |
| Price | Free | Freemium ($99.99/yr Pro) |
| Data | Offline-first, not sold | See their privacy policy |
Where minded is stronger
- It’s free. No subscription and no trial countdown — the full experience costs nothing.
- It calms the browser. minded replaces your new tab with a quiet dashboard, so the pause happens where desktop doomscrolling starts.
- Friction, not lockout. Instead of hard-blocking, minded adds a moment to choose — better for habitual “just checking” than a wall you learn to fight.
- It’s private by design. minded is offline-first and doesn’t sell your data.
Where Opal is stronger
- Detailed analytics. Opal gives rich screen-time stats and trends across your day.
- Hard scheduled blocking. If you want apps and sites genuinely gone on a timetable, Opal enforces it.
- Focus sessions. Its deep-focus modes are built for dedicated, distraction-free blocks.
- Polished mobile app. Opal is a mature, well-designed iOS-first product.
How this comparison was researched
We compared the products using their official platform, feature, pricing, and help pages in July 2026. This is documentation research, not a claim that we personally tested every platform or paid plan. minded is our product, so the sections above also state where Opal is stronger.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Is minded a free alternative to Opal?
Yes. minded is free, while Opal offers a free plan and a Pro subscription listed at $99.99/year in July 2026. If you want a gentle pause and a calm browser new tab rather than hard scheduled blocking and detailed analytics, minded covers that at no cost.
What is the main difference between minded and Opal?
Opal is a mobile-first hard blocker with detailed screen-time analytics and scheduled focus sessions. minded is browser-first and uses gentle friction — a pause and a calm new tab — instead of locking you out, plus light mood and energy check-ins.
Which should I pick?
Pick Opal if you want enforced blocking and rich stats on your phone. Pick minded if you want a free, low-friction nudge in your browser that helps you choose consciously and notice patterns in mood and screen habits.
Can I use both?
Yes. Opal can enforce hard blocks on your phone while minded keeps your browser new tab calm — they work on different surfaces.
Try minded free
A gentle pause before the feeds and a calm new tab — free, private, offline-first.