Brick vs Duly Noted.
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.
Duly Noted.
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Duly Noted. is the absurdly serious incident recorder for ordinary wastes of time. When something begins consuming your finite existence, start the timer. The app creates a clear record of what happened, how long it lasted, and—if you choose—what that time was worth. Use it for: - Hold music and waiting rooms - Meetings that should have been messages - Bureaucracy and procedural delay - Technology that has chosen violence - Unnecessary conversations - Doomscrolling and self-inflicted distractions - Any other incident requiring documentation What you get: - One-tap incident timing - Timestamp-based tracking that resumes accurately after your phone locks - Optional categories and a five-level “How hard are you not working?” scale - Discreet mode for quiet documentation - Make a Point mode for high-contrast, full-screen notice - Absurdly official Time-Waste Incident Receipts - Polite, Official, and Petty receipt tones - Optional value-of-time estimates - Private incident history and weekly findings - Native sharing through the apps already installed on your phone Duly Noted. never sends a citation automatically. You choose whether to share, how to share, and who receives it. Your incident history and personal time value remain private to your account unless you deliberately share a receipt. No subscription. No in-app purchases. No ads. No productivity theater beyond what is strictly necessary. **Duly Noted. — A productivity app about nothing.**
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Brick at Free against Duly Noted.'s $2.99. Brick also leads on chart position (#95 vs unranked). Duly Noted.'s advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On update cadence, 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
Brick is free to download; Duly Noted. costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Brick | Duly Noted. |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (59K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 78.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 59K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | Every 4 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #95 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 187 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brick LLC (Wisconsin) | ProAerial Media, LLC |
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
Duly Noted.
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Brick
No in-app purchases
Duly Noted.
No in-app purchases









