Brick vs Votebud
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Temporarily remove distracting apps
- Block notifications
- Customize unblocked apps
- Track usage history
- NFC hardware integration
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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.
Votebud
This app simplifies engagement with democracy by providing tools to vote confidently, express opinions, and stay informed about political news and legislation. It helps users understand their ballot, align with candidates, and connect with elected officials.
- View personalized ballots
- Match with candidates based on issues
- One-touch polling on news and bills
- Direct contact with elected officials
- Curated, ad-free political news feed
- AI-powered bill summaries
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Votebud: Politics Made Simple Votebud is the all-in-one app that puts political power back in your hands. Our mission is to make it easier than ever to engage with democracy — helping you vote confidently, be heard, and stay informed. Whether you're new to politics or a seasoned voter, Votebud is here to help every step of the way. VOTE CONFIDENTLY Know who and what you're voting for with tools designed to cut through the noise: - My Ballot. Share your address and see your ballot. It's that easy. - Candidate Matching. Pick issues that matter to you, answer a few questions, and see how you align with candidates across the ballot. Votebud uses AI to compare your views with publicly available stances and statements from candidates. Candidates may also claim their profiles to update their stances at any time. BE HEARD Your voice matters. Votebud makes it easier than ever to express yourself and reach your representatives: - One-Touch Polling. Share your opinion on the latest news and bills with just a tap. - My Reps. Email or call your elected officials directly from the app. STAY INFORMED Cut through the clutter with news and legislative updates that are accessible, relevant, and transparent: - News Feed. Stay up to date with a curated, ad-free feed of political news. - AI Bill Summaries. Votebud tracks legislation and executive orders, using AI to break them down into simple, plain language. Together, these tools empower voters not just to participate, but to shape the conversation. At Votebud, we believe democracy should reflect the will of the people - not just in theory, but in practice. Yet too often, voters feel unheard, and leaders act without knowing what their constituents truly want. We’re here to change that. By capturing and organizing public opinion at scale, Votebud makes it easy for everyday people to be seen, heard, and represented. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Votebud exists to help make that promise real. Join Votebud and help bring democracy into the 21st century.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Votebud at free against Brick's paid. Votebud also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). Brick's advantage is ratings volume (59K vs 8) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Brick against 5.0 for Votebud. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brick has 59K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Brick ships an update every 4 days, Votebud fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Brick | Votebud |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (59K ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 59K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #88 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brick LLC (Wisconsin) | Sovtech Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
Brick
Votebud
Bugs and 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
Votebud
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Brick
No in-app purchases
Votebud
No in-app purchases









