The Brick Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Brick in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Brick
The Insider’s Guide
Physical device you tap to block distracting phone apps
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among focus apps, read from Brick’s own pages.
Made by Brick LLC · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Brick’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Brick’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 5 of the 65 other focus apps we grade
Brick is a small physical device paired with a free phone app. You pick the apps to block, tap the phone against the Brick to start, and those apps stay blocked until you tap the same device again, so leaving it in another room keeps them out of reach. It works with iPhone and Android. One Brick can be shared by several phones, and one phone can be used with more than one Brick.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Brick, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Pick your apps, tap your phone on the Brick, walk away.
- 1
Best for people who override every app blocker
If your scrolling happens on a laptop or iPad, look elsewhere.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $59 one-time purchase (device; the app is free).
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
iOS and Android.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 2.2 GPA, above 5 of 65
That is against the other focus apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Nothing Brick does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Brick at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid, from $59 one-time purchase (device; the app is free)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- iOS, Android
- Made by
- Brick LLC
- Category
- Focus Apps
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
- Store rating
- 4.9 on the App Store, 56,171 ratings
The report card
Best for people who override every app blocker
Brick is a $59 plastic square that blocks the phone apps you pick when you tap your phone on it, and only another tap brings them back. It covers phones only, there's no free way to try it, on iPhone it can be switched off in Screen Time and blocks only the Safari sites on Apple's approved list, and losing it leaves you five emergency unlocks. If your scrolling happens on a laptop or iPad, look elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | $59 once, no subscription, and one Brick covers every phone in the house. That's between one and two years of this category's $3.99 middle, so it pays off if you keep it. It's still $59 for a small plastic square when ScreenZen blocks apps for free. |
| Free plan and trial | F | There's nothing to try for free. The app costs nothing, but ending a session needs the $59 device, so the app alone is no use. The only safety net is the 30-day money-back guarantee, and that isn't a trial. |
| Features | C | The blocking basics with a physical key: up to 10 modes, block or allow lists, remote start, a strict mode, schedules and five emergency unlocks. The listing names the gap, though, and it's a real one: on iPhone it blocks any app but only the Safari sites on Apple's approved list. |
| Ease of use | A | 4.94 from about 56,000 App Store ratings, with 96% of them five stars, the highest score anywhere in this category. Pick your apps, tap your phone on the Brick, walk away. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Phones only: iPhone and Android, and the help centre says iPads and computers aren't supported, so YouTube in a laptop tab is still your problem. Nothing else connects to it either. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Brick is for
- Fits if you've set screen-time limits and then tapped straight through them
- Works for a household, since one Brick works with any number of phones
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you do your scrolling on a laptop or iPad, which Brick doesn't cover
- Not for you if you want to try before you buy, as there's no free version, only a 30-day refund
- Pricey if a free blocker like ScreenZen already keeps you honest, or once you add a $39 case and a $15 mount
- Not for you if you'd go hunting for a way round it, because on iPhone Screen Time settings can switch it off
- Watch out: it needs iOS 18 or Android 12, blocks only approved Safari sites on iPhone, and can't block the Phone app
Good to know
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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 18.0 or later (the product page still says 17.0) or Android 12.0 or later. The App Store lists the app for iPhone only, and there is no desktop version.
- Cases at $39 and the Brick Mount at $15 are sold separately from the $59 device.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$59 one-time
To start
Brick is a paid product, starting at $59 one-time purchase (device; the app is free).
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.
Read from getbrick.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Ways to pay less
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.
Stated on getbrick.comOther 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.
Stated on getbrick.comEducation
20% off for students
Students save 20% on a Brick with a code from Student Beans, after creating a free Student Beans account and verifying their status.
Stated on getbrick.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: iOS and Android
Physical device you tap to block distracting phone apps. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, site & app blocker.
The listing names the gap, though, and it's a real one: on iPhone it blocks any app but only the Safari sites on Apple's approved list.
- 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.
Where it runs
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Brick is made by Brick LLC.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
5/65
Other focus apps it is graded above
Brick's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 5 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 12.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 45 of 65) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 66 focus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Brick’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 30 of 65
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 65
- CFeaturesAbove 3 of 65
- AEase of useAbove 45 of 65
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 8 of 65
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Nothing Brick does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 48 of the 65 other focus apps grade higher. It costs $59, paid once.
What you could not
- Blocking that reaches every browser and app and is hard to switch off.
- A real app for iOS and Android. Something home-made would be a web page.
- A physical object that comes with it.
What this rests on. Brick’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Unpluq, Foqos, ScreenZen, Opal and one sec
The 5 tools Brick is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
Unpluq
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Phone app blocker with an optional NFC key fob.
- Unpluq has a free plan. Brick does not.
- Brick can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Unpluq also covers time tracking.
- 3.2GPA
Foqos
Free
Free open-source iPhone app blocker using NFC tags or QR codes.
- Foqos has a free plan. Brick does not.
- Only Brick lists an Android app.
- Only Foqos lists a macOS app.
- 3.6GPA
ScreenZen
Free
Free app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites.
- ScreenZen has a free plan. Brick does not.
- Only ScreenZen lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Brick can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Opal
Free plan · from $8.29/mo
Screen time app that blocks distracting apps on phone and Mac.
- Opal has a free plan. Brick does not.
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- Opal also covers focus music.
- 3.0GPA
one sec
Free plan · from $3.99/mo
Screen time app that adds a pause before distracting apps open.
- one sec has a free plan. Brick does not.
- Only one sec lists a macOS app.
- Only one sec lists a browser extension.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Brick free?
No. Brick is a paid product, starting at $59 one-time purchase (device; the app is free).
How much does Brick cost?
Brick lists one plan. Brick: $59 one-time purchase per device.
What platforms does Brick work on?
Brick is available on iOS and Android.
Does Brick offer any discounts?
Brick publicly lists the following: 10% off two or more Bricks; 20% off for military, teachers and medics; 20% off for students.
How is Brick rated?
Brick's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.9 out of 5 from 56,171 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Does Brick have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Brick is listed for iOS and Android.
Does Brick have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Brick is listed for iOS and Android.
Is Brick open source?
Brick is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
Does Brick have a student discount?
20% off for students. Students save 20% on a Brick with a code from Student Beans, after creating a free Student Beans account and verifying their status.
Who makes Brick?
Brick is made by Brick LLC.
What are the alternatives to Brick?
The closest alternatives to Brick in our directory are Unpluq, Foqos, ScreenZen, Opal and one sec.
How does Brick compare with other focus apps?
Brick's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 5 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 12.
Could I make my own version of Brick?
Nothing Brick does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Brick’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Based on Brick's home, product, FAQ, story and help centre pages as of 9 October 2026, its App Store reviews and a Hacker News thread about it. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-08-19.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Brick LLC. Prices change, so check getbrick.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Brick, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/brick
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Brick: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/brick
Know someone choosing between focus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/brick/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded focus apps after Brick, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Focus Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 66 focus apps we grade, compared
- ScreenZen Insider's GuideFree app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites3.6 GPA
- Flora Insider's GuideFree focus timer that grows trees, alone or with friends3.2 GPA
- Flow Insider's GuideMinimal Pomodoro timer for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Brick’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Brick is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Brick LLC. Prices and plans change: check getbrick.com before you buy.