vs
Opal
GentleLimit · A mindful Opal alternative for Mac
GentleLimit vs Opal
Opal helps you take control of distracting apps with sessions and blocks — and works across iOS, Android, and Mac. GentleLimit is a Mac-first take on the same goal that swaps blocking for awareness: a daily limit, floating widgets that show how the day's going, and the freedom to keep using your Mac the way you want.
At a glance
| GentleLimit | Opal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $6.99 one-time, 7-day trial | Subscription (Pro tier) |
| Platform focus | Mac-first, native | Mobile-first, with desktop apps |
| Approach | Awareness via signals + widgets | Sessions + scheduled blocks |
| Hard blocking | No — never force-quits | Yes — sessions can block apps |
| Floating widgets | Optional, glassy, draggable | No |
| Account required | No | Yes |
| Data location | On-device only | Cloud-synced via account |
Where they're similar
Same goal — less time on autopilot
Both apps want to help you spend less time mindlessly opening the same apps. Both let you set per-app limits or sessions. Both report your usage so you can see patterns over time.
If you've used Opal and liked the idea of "I want to be aware of how much time goes into Slack and YouTube," GentleLimit is solving the same problem.
Where they differ
Blocking vs. nudging
Opal's strongest feature is hard blocking: schedule a focus session and the apps go away. That's powerful when willpower runs out — and a lot of people need that.
GentleLimit takes the other side. Hard blocking can feel like an external authority, and people often work around it (or feel guilty when they do). GentleLimit shows your usage with floating widgets and subtle signals, then trusts you to make the call. The friction is gentle by design — a moment of attention, not a wall.
Mac-first, no account
Opal is excellent on iPhone first. GentleLimit is built for the Mac, with no account, no cloud, and no telemetry leaving your machine.
One-time price
Opal Pro is a subscription. GentleLimit is $6.99 once on the Mac App Store. If you only want this on your Mac and don't want another recurring charge, the math gets simple fast.
Pick the right one
Which should you choose?
Choose Opal if you want the same experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and you specifically want hard blocking when willpower fades.
Choose GentleLimit if your problem is on the Mac, you want awareness rather than blocking, you'd rather pay once than subscribe, and you don't want yet another account.
FAQ
Will GentleLimit block apps for me?
No. It surfaces awareness through floating widgets and overlay signals, but never force-quits or locks you out.
Does GentleLimit work on iPhone?
Not today — it's a Mac app. If you need iPhone parity, Opal or Apple's built-in Screen Time may fit better.
Is my usage data sent to a server?
No. GentleLimit stores everything on-device. There's no account, no sync, no telemetry.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — 7 days through the Mac App Store, before a one-time $6.99 unlock.
Awareness, not interruption
If hard blocks have ever made you want to quit a focus app entirely, GentleLimit's gentler approach might be the version you stick with.