Can I open-source Opal?
KINDA · partial or early alternativesKinda. Stirling PDF and Flameshot cover the core of Opal, but they're early or partial — expect gaps like cross-device sync and deep operating-system edge-case coverage.
Opal: People keep paying because a utility used dozens of times a day must be instant, predictable, and compatible with every OS update.
xcross-device sync
xdeep operating-system edge-case coverage
xpolished shortcuts and accessibility
xvendor-maintained updates
These projects already replace it, free.
SStirling PDFWeb app with 50+ PDF operations — merge, split, sign, OCR, redact — all processed locally on your server.open source↗FFlameshotPowerful cross-platform screenshot tool with annotations and pin-to-screen.open source↗PPairDropAirDrop for every device — share files across platforms in the browser, peer-to-peer.open source↗What each one is, in full: Stirling PDF · Flameshot · PairDrop
no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Opal pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/user | $0/user | 1 blocking rule; basic timers and soundscapes; Screen Time Score limited to today. |
| pro | $19.99/user | $8.33/user | Unlimited blocking rules and the full Pro feature set. |
| pro lifetime | custom | — | Lifetime Pro access. |
| teams | custom | — | Custom team administration and deployment; no public price or numeric limits. |
free tier1 blocking rule; basic timers and soundscapes; Screen Time Score shows today only.
billingannual + lifetime; a $19.99 'Monthly' option is displayed, but the same official panel says $239 billed annually
hidden costsStudent pricing is up to 50% off. Direct Stripe purchases have a 30-day refund policy, while Opal cannot refund Apple-billed purchases. The public monthly-panel billing copy is contradictory.
verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗
Can I open-source Opal?
Kinda. Stirling PDF covers the core of Opal, but there are real gaps: cross-device sync, deep operating-system edge-case coverage. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does Opal cost?
Opal costs about $8.33/month (Pro, checked 2026-07-31), which is $99.96 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Opal?
Honestly: cross-device sync; deep operating-system edge-case coverage; polished shortcuts and accessibility; vendor-maintained updates. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Opal?
Yes: Stirling PDF (Web app with 50+ PDF operations — merge, split, sign, OCR, redact — all processed locally on your server.) Flameshot (Powerful cross-platform screenshot tool with annotations and pin-to-screen.) PairDrop (AirDrop for every device — share files across platforms in the browser, peer-to-peer.)