Comparison

Behavior Observation vs Brick

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Behavior Observation

This tool helps educators and clinicians systematically track student behavior in school settings. It allows for detailed data capture and generates professional reports to inform interventions and assessments. The app is designed for privacy and offline use, with no subscriptions or ads.

Highlights
  • Momentary time sampling and partial-interval recording
  • Customizable session duration and intervals
  • Track engaged and non-engaged behaviors
  • Built-in peer comparison intervals
  • Teacher-Directed Instruction (TDI) tracking
  • Export PDF, CSV, and HTML reports
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Transform classroom behavior tracking with BOSS — the professional observation tool trusted by educators and clinicians nationwide. Capture systematic behavior data in minutes and turn it into clean, defensible reports that drive meaningful interventions. Built for school psychologists, ABA professionals, and special education teams conducting functional behavior assessments (FBA), IEP support, and progress monitoring. SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION, DONE RIGHT • Momentary time sampling and partial-interval recording, the way the BOSS protocol intends • Customizable session duration and observation intervals • Track Engaged (Active / Passive) and Non-Engaged (Motor / Verbal / Passive) behaviors • Built-in peer comparison intervals for classroom-referenced context • Teacher-Directed Instruction (TDI) tracking — configurable per observation • Virtual observation mode: record camera and microphone status in remote sessions • Haptic interval cues keep your eyes on the student, not on a timer CLINICAL-GRADE CHARTS AND REPORTS — REDESIGNED • Every chart now shows value labels on every bar: read exact percentages at a glance • Color-vision-deficiency-safe palette that stays legible in print and on screen • Export polished PDF reports, spreadsheet-ready CSV, and shareable HTML • Charts render identically in the app and in your exports — what you see is what you file PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Works fully offline — sessions, data, and reports live on your device • Nothing is uploaded to any server; data leaves the app only when you choose to export it • Dark mode support throughout ONE-TIME PURCHASE • No subscriptions, no accounts, no ads

About

Brick

This tool helps you build a healthier relationship with your phone by creating physical barriers to distraction. It allows you to block specific apps and websites, set custom schedules, and track your progress in staying focused. Designed to turn your smartphone back into a tool for what matters most.

Highlights
  • Physical device to block apps
  • Customizable app and website blocking
  • Personalized blocking modes and schedules
  • Built-in focus timer
  • Usage history and progress tracking
  • Automatic blocking with Brick Night
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Brick is the world's first digital wellness tool designed to create a more intentional relationship with your technology. In a world designed for constant distraction, Brick introduces a simple but powerful idea: friction. By adding physical barriers, Brick creates a deliberate pause between impulse and action — turning smartphones back into tools for what matters.

With the Brick app, you can design your personalized system to block distractions using both your Brick and Brick Night — allowing you to do more of what matters. Brick is a physical device that helps you block distracting apps on your phone. Tap to start a Brick session, then place Brick somewhere out of reach and go live your life. When you’re ready to be connected again, simply tap to Unbrick. Unlike screen-time settings and blocker apps that switch off in a second, Brick isn't on the phone you're trying to put down. It's a physical barrier you can't swipe out of. Brick Night automatically blocks the apps you choose when you enter your bedroom. Unlike app blockers, Brick Night uses Bluetooth to know when you're in your bedroom, creating a simple boundary around your sleep — so you don't have to remember to activate it every night. The result: fewer late-night distractions, fewer mornings lost to your feed, and a bedroom that feels like the sanctuary you intended it to be. FEATURES - Select the apps you’d like to block, and keep what you need. Temporarily remove distracting apps and their notifications from your phone, leaving only what you choose - Block any app (except the dialer, per Apple policy) and select Safari websites - Create custom modes for different parts of your day: Work, Family, Sleep, Gym, Study, Focus, and more - Create custom schedules to automatically block apps during specific moments of your day - A built-in focus timer tracks how long you stay undistracted - 5 Emergency Unbricks included for unexpected situations - Usage history tracks your progress so you can see how your habits improve over time DESIGNED FOR EVERY PART OF YOUR LIFE Parents use Brick to create device-free family time and build healthier habits around technology. Students rely on it during study sessions and exam prep when focus matters most. Professionals use it for deep work without the constant pull of notifications. Athletes keep it in the locker room to stay locked in before competition. Brick is also a thoughtful gift for anyone trying to build a healthier relationship with their screen habits, reduce anxiety from constant notifications, or simply spend less time scrolling and more time living. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING Featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Economist, Fortune, Vogue, TechCrunch, CNET, Fast Company, The Washington Post, Business Insider, and The New Yorker. With over 55,000 five-star reviews, people describe Brick as the thing that finally helped them break free from screen addiction. Join a growing community choosing to take back their time and reclaim hours lost to technology. HSA & FSA ELIGIBLE 30% average savings on Brick and Brick Night with HSA/FSA through our partnership with Truemed. Use pre-tax dollars to invest in your digital wellness and mental health. HSA/FSA funds accepted for qualified Truemed customers. HSA/FSA tax savings vary. Learn more at truemed.com/disclosures. WHAT'S INCLUDED Your purchase includes the physical Brick or Brick Night and full access to the companion app.

Screenshots

Behavior Observation4 screens
Brick4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Brick at Free against Behavior Observation's $59.99. Brick also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 44%) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). Behavior Observation's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On ads, in-app purchases, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Brick is free to download; Behavior Observation costs $59.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Brick holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brick has 60K ratings behind it against 89, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Behavior Observation's written reviews are positive against 78% of Brick's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Behavior Observation ships an update every 2 months, Brick every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Behavior Observation versus Brick: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBehavior ObservationBrick
Price$59.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (89 ratings)4.9 (60K ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews78.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8960K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#192#81 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAllen EubankBrick LLC (Wisconsin)

Customer experience

Behavior Observation

All ratings89 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral1.1%
Negative9.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative55.6%

Brick

All ratings59,298 ratings
Positive99.1%
Neutral0.4%
Negative0.5%
Written reviews2,211 reviews
Positive78.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative15.0%

Bugs and requests

Behavior Observation

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Brick

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

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

In-app purchases

None

Behavior Observation

No in-app purchases

None

Brick

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Behavior Observation free?
Behavior Observation costs $59.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Brick free?
Brick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Behavior Observation or Brick?
Brick is rated higher. Behavior Observation averages 4.6 out of 5 from 89 ratings, while Brick averages 4.9 from 60K ratings.
Do Behavior Observation or Brick have ads?
Neither Behavior Observation nor Brick shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Behavior Observation or Brick?
Behavior Observation ships an update every 2 months, and Brick every 4 days. Most recently, Behavior Observation was updated on November 3, 2026 and Brick on November 8, 2026.
Which is more popular, Behavior Observation or Brick?
Behavior Observation currently peaks at #192 in the App Store charts, and Brick at #81. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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