Comparison

X2 by Stream vs Brick

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

Head to head
About

X2 by Stream

Features
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X2 by Stream is your workplace passport that provides access to everything that takes place within your building. With X2, tenants and property staff can interact with their building all from the palm of their hand. Including but not limited to; register visitors, communicate with management and tenants, submit and manage service requests, book amenity space, request car service, digital key card access, book fitness, local vendor marketplace, and much more.

About

Brick

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
Currently charting
Read full description

Brick is the world's first digital wellness tool designed to turn smartphones back into tools, helping people take back control of their time, attention, and technology. A small tool paired with a powerful app that temporarily removes distracting apps and their notifications from your iPhone, leaving only what you choose. In a world designed for constant distraction, Brick introduces a simple but powerful idea: friction. By requiring a physical tap to enable or disable distracting apps, Brick creates a deliberate pause between impulse and action - turning smartphones back into tools for what matters. HOW IT WORKS Choose which apps or websites to block: social media, games, news, streaming, or anything distracting Tap your iPhone to Brick to activate your chosen mode A focus timer starts automatically, tracking your distraction-free time Place Brick somewhere out of reach and go live your life When you're ready, tap again to regain access Not nearby? Activate Brick remotely in the app. You'll still need the physical Brick to unblock, keeping the commitment real. FEATURES Block any iPhone 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 A built-in focus timer tracks how long you stay undistracted Strict Mode closes loopholes, preventing workarounds while you're in a session 5 Emergency Unbricks included for unexpected situations Usage history tracks your progress so you can see how your habits improve over time. No subscriptions and no monthly fees. Buy once, use forever 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, Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Economist, Fortune, Vogue, TechCrunch, CNET, Fast Company, The Washington Post, Business Insider, and The New Yorker. With over 35,000 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 Brick qualifies as an HSA and FSA eligible purchase through our partnership with Truemed. Use pre-tax health savings to invest in your digital wellness and mental health. WHAT'S INCLUDED Your purchase includes the physical Brick and full lifetime access to the companion app. No subscriptions. No hidden fees. No ads. Brick helps you take back your time, turn your phone back into a tool, and use technology the way it should be: with intention.

Screenshots

X2 by Stream3 screens
Brick4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Brick at every 5 days against X2 by Stream's fortnightly. Brick also leads on chart position (#92 vs unranked). X2 by Stream's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

X2 by Stream ships an update fortnightly, Brick every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
X2 by Stream versus Brick: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterX2 by StreamBrick
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (55K ratings) — better
Positive reviews—78.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—55K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#92 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size102 MB48 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperStream Realty Partners, L.P.Brick LLC (Wisconsin)

Bugs and requests

X2 by Stream

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

X2 by Stream

No in-app purchases

None

Brick

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is X2 by Stream free?
X2 by Stream is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Brick free?
Brick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do X2 by Stream or Brick have ads?
Neither X2 by Stream nor Brick shows ads.
Which is updated more often, X2 by Stream or Brick?
X2 by Stream ships an update fortnightly, and Brick every 5 days. Most recently, X2 by Stream was updated on September 15, 2026 and Brick on September 26, 2026.

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