Comparison

Brick vs Friction

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

Head to head
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 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.

About

Friction

Read full description

The more you scroll, the slower it gets. The more you scroll, the less addictive it feels. Friction makes distracting apps less addictive by reducing the instant rewards that keep you scrolling. Choose the apps that tend to pull you in. As you spend more time in them, Friction gradually slows them down. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit become a little less fast, less seamless, and less rewarding the longer you use them. Those small delays interrupt the habit loop that keeps you scrolling without thinking. Instead of every swipe leading instantly to the next video or post, occasional pauses give your brain a chance to catch up and decide whether you actually want to keep going. A visible timer also keeps your screen time in view, making it easier to notice when you've been scrolling longer than intended. Friction doesn't block apps or ask you to quit them. It simply makes the most distracting apps a little less addictive, so they're easier to put down. Use Friction to: Make distracting apps less addictive over time Reduce the instant rewards that fuel endless scrolling Break automatic scrolling habits with gentle pauses Keep a visible timer on screen Spend less time on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and more Build healthier phone habits without blocking the apps you enjoy

Screenshots

Brick4 screens
Friction3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Brick at Free against Friction's $19.99. Brick also leads on chart position (#89 vs unranked). On update cadence, 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

Brick is free to download; Friction costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Brick versus Friction: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrickFriction
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating4.9 (59K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings59K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#89 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrick LLC (Wisconsin)Daniel Sendelbach

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

Friction

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Brick

No in-app purchases

None

Friction

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Brick free?
Brick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Friction free?
Friction costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Brick or Friction have ads?
Neither Brick nor Friction shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Brick or Friction?
Brick ships an update every 4 days, and Friction every 4 days. Most recently, Brick was updated on October 31, 2026 and Friction on October 28, 2026.

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