# Freedom vs Brick

The clearest difference is rating: Brick at 4.9 against Freedom's 4.4. Brick also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (78% vs 64%). Freedom's advantage is iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Freedom sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Brick asks for nothing beyond the download.

Brick holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brick has 59K ratings behind it against 6.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 78% of Brick's.

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, Brick every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Freedom | Brick |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (6.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228/reviews) | **[4.9 (59K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brick-ditch-distractions/id6448794069/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6.1K | **59K** |
| Positive reviews | 64.2% of reviews | **78.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Paid** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#81** |
| Size | 94 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) | [Brick LLC (Wisconsin)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686383161) |

## What reviewers say

### Freedom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228)

This app helps you block distracting apps and websites to improve focus and productivity. Schedule blocking sessions across all your devices to build better screen time habits and reclaim productive hours.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps and websites, Schedule blocking sessions, Sync across all devices, Block the internet, Locked Mode for habit commitment, Focus sounds

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Freedom Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Freedom Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Freedom Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Freedom Forever | $199.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 👍 Customizable blocklists
- 🔒 Locked mode prevents bypassing
- 💡 Cross-device sync
- 👍 Helpful for productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent blocking, doesn't always work as expected
- 🐛 Scheduled sessions don't always start automatically
- 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
- 🔒 Easy to bypass by disabling VPN or deleting app
- 👎 Limited app blocking on iOS

**Reported bugs**

- Blocks unintended apps/websites
- Fails to block certain apps like Facebook, Instagram
- Doesn't work in low power mode on iOS

**Requested features**

- Allow specific app whitelisting
- Add time limit/usage tracking features
- Improve scheduling options (e.g. by day, not just time)
- Better integration with mobile OS features (e.g. iOS Screen Time)


### Brick

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brick-ditch-distractions/id6448794069)

**Currently charting:** #81 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app helps you regain focus by temporarily removing distracting applications and notifications from your phone. It uses NFC hardware to create distraction-free periods, allowing you to concentrate on important tasks or activities. Reconnect with your apps by simply tapping your device again.

**Highlights:** Temporarily remove distracting apps, Block notifications, Customize unblocked apps, Track usage history, NFC hardware integration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great concept
- 🚀 Helps reclaim time and attention
- 🔒 Physical barrier prevents mindless usage
- 💡 Customizable blocking/allowing modes
- 🚀 Improves productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
- 🐛 Unreliable app functionality
- 🐛 Inconsistent app behavior after updates
- 🐛 Difficulty setting up and configuring
- 🐛 Limited number of apps that can be allowed

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when selecting apps to block/allow
- Saved settings get deleted or reset unexpectedly
- Inability to block certain apps like Safari
- Bricked mode not working as expected after phone restart

**Requested features**

- Scheduled bricking/unbricking modes
- Remote bricking option
- Ability to block more than 50 apps
- Improved app stability and reliability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Freedom free?

Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Brick free?

Brick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Freedom or Brick?

Brick is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 6.1K ratings, while Brick averages 4.9 from 59K ratings.

### Do Freedom or Brick have ads?

Neither Freedom nor Brick shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Freedom or Brick?

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and Brick every 4 days. Most recently, Freedom was updated on October 29, 2026 and Brick on October 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*