Brick vs ScreenZen

Brick

• People who override app-based blockers and want a physical barrier
• Households sharing one device across several phones
• Leaving distractions in another room during work, meals or sleep

ScreenZen

• People who want a screen time blocker without paying a subscription
• Adding a pause before social apps instead of removing them
• Keeping phones out of use in the bedroom with the optional halo device

Brick

• Unblocking needs the physical Brick; if it is lost, the app offers five Emergency Unbricks and more only on request.
• On iPhone it blocks any app except Phone, but only selected Safari sites from Apple's approved list.
• It needs iOS 17.0 or later or Android 12.0 or later; the App Store lists the app for iPhone only, and no desktop version is offered.
• Cases at $39 and the Brick Mount at $15 are sold separately from the $59 device.

ScreenZen

• The app is funded by donations; its in-app purchases are optional tips, listed from $5 to $40 on the US App Store.
• The halo companion device costs $49, ships to the US only and works with iOS 16.4 or later and Android 12.0 or later.
• The Windows version is a direct download from ScreenZen's site, while the Mac version shares the App Store listing with the iPhone and iPad app.
• On Android, website blocking relies on the Accessibility permission.

Brick

Tap to block, tap to unblock

Tapping the phone against the Brick blocks the chosen apps, and only another tap on the device restores them. It has no battery and needs no Wi-Fi.

Custom modes

Up to 10 modes, such as work, family, sleep or gym, each blocking its own set of apps. A mode can instead allow only chosen apps and block the rest.

Remote start

Holding the virtual Brick in the app for 5 seconds starts a session from anywhere. The physical device is still needed to end it.

Strict Mode

Closes common loopholes by preventing the app from being deleted or its settings changed in order to unblock.

Emergency Unbricks

The app includes five Emergency Unbricks that unblock every app if the device is lost. More can be requested from support by email.

Schedules and analytics

The site lists schedules and analytics alongside modes, and a focus timer starts with each session to record distraction-free time.

ScreenZen

Delay before an app opens

A wait is added before a distracting app opens, and it can lengthen with each open. A message of your choice, such as a question to yourself, is shown meanwhile.

Interrupted sessions

Apps can be opened for short periods only, so each session ends with a prompt to decide whether to keep going.

Limits and strict blocks

Set a daily goal per app and optionally block it at the limit. Strict blocks can apply to time ranges, after a number of opens or after a set screen time.

Schedules by day and time

Settings can differ by day of the week and time of day for each app, for example stricter rules during work hours or at bedtime.

Lock mode

Settings can be locked so they cannot be changed on impulse, and the site says lock mode can prevent uninstalling the app.

halo companion device

An optional Bluetooth device, sold separately, that blocks chosen apps while the phone is inside its radius of up to 50 ft, such as a bedroom.

Brick

• Brick$59

  one-time purchase per device

  One Brick device, used with the free companion app and any number of phones. Sold with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ScreenZen

• ScreenZen$0

  The complete app: delays, limits, strict blocks, schedules and lock mode. Optional tips of $5 to $40 are listed on the US App Store.

Brick

• Other savings

  10% off two or more Bricks

  The product page prices two Bricks at $106.20 instead of $118, a 10% saving, and adds free shipping on orders of two or more.

• Other savings

  20% off for military, teachers and medics

  US military, first responders, teachers and medical professionals who verify through ID.me get 20% off a Brick. It applies to new customers and to the device only.

• Education

  Student discount

  Brick's site links a Student Discount page for unlocking a discount. The page text does not show the amount.

ScreenZen

No public discounts listed.