TL;DR: Google Opal is a free Google Labs experiment that turns a plain-English description into a working AI mini-app — no code, no paid tier, no credit system. There is one urgent catch: Google’s own Opal FAQ says the service turns off on November 17, 2026, and existing workflows will not migrate automatically. Use it now to learn and to capture your prompts, not to build anything you need to keep running.
What does Google Opal actually do?
Opal, from Google Labs, builds AI mini-apps from natural language. You describe what you want, Opal generates a step-by-step workflow chaining prompts, Google models, and tools, and you can edit that workflow in a visual editor or by describing changes in plain language. Finished mini-apps can be shared by link, and anyone with a Google account can run them.
Typical uses are small, focused tools: a blog-post generator that researches then drafts, a study helper that turns notes into quizzes, or a lead sorter. Opal also powered “Gems made by Labs” inside Gemini.
What is actually free on Opal?
Opal is currently offered as a free Google Labs experiment. Multiple current guides and Google’s own developer pages describe the same picture, checked October 22, 2026:
- No paid tier and no published credit system
- A Google account is required
- Available in more than 160 countries, with the editor optimized for desktop
- Workflows are stored in your Google Drive, in the “Opal” folder (My Drive > Opal)
There is no free-versus-paid feature split to decode, because there is nothing to buy. The real limit is time.
Why is Opal shutting down?
Google’s official Opal FAQ says Opal and “Gems made by Labs” began as an experiment, and what Google learned helped shape skills in Gemini — saved, reusable custom instructions you call up in chat. With those capabilities moving into the core product, the experimental Opal service at opal.google.com turns off on November 17, 2026.
Google also states two practical facts worth acting on: existing Opal workflows will not automatically migrate, and your saved workflow files will stay in your Drive “Opal” folder after shutdown — but workflows will no longer run interactively. Google recommends opening your workflows before November 17 and copying any prompts or custom instructions you want to keep; afterwards you can still download a workflow file from Drive and open it in a text editor to retrieve the prompt text.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Completely free — no paid tier, no credits to ration
- Describe an app in plain English and get an editable, shareable workflow
- Visual editor lets non-developers tweak steps without code
- Your workflow files remain in your own Google Drive
- A fast way to learn how chained AI workflows think, at zero cost
Cons
- Shuts down November 17, 2026 — do not build anything long-lived on it
- No automatic migration to Gemini skills; prompts must be recreated manually
- Editor is desktop-focused; mobile is mainly for running existing apps
- No export to code, self-hosting, or custom domains
Who is Opal best for right now?
Opal is best for creators, marketers, teachers, and small teams who want a free sandbox for learning mini-app workflows in the next few weeks — and for existing Opal users, who should treat this as a save-your-work deadline. For a workflow you need next year, build it in Gemini skills or Google AI Studio instead, which are the two destinations Google itself points to.
FAQ
Is Google Opal free?
Yes. Opal is a free Google Labs experiment with a Google account. Google has not published a paid tier or a credit system for it.
When does Google Opal shut down?
November 17, 2026, according to Google’s official Opal FAQ. Treat November 16 as your last safe day to open workflows and copy prompts.
Will my Opal apps move to Gemini automatically?
No. Google says existing Opal workflows will not automatically migrate. You will need to set up new skills or prompts manually.
Will I lose my Opal files?
No. Google says files in My Drive > Opal stay untouched. They just will not run as interactive workflows after shutdown, though you can open a downloaded file in a text editor to read its prompts.
Research-based review — no hands-on testing claims. Details checked October 22, 2026 against Google’s official Opal FAQ on developers.google.com and current coverage. Dates and plans can change; check Google before you rely on them.