BlockMind vs Brick: App Blocker or Physical Phone Blocker?

Last updated November 5, 2026

BlockMind

How does Brick work?

Brick is a small square device with an NFC chip inside, the same short-range tech used for contactless payments. It has no battery and needs no charging. In the free Brick app you create modes, choosing which apps or websites to block, or choosing only the ones you want to keep. Then you tap your phone on the Brick. The apps stay blocked wherever you go, until you come back and tap again.

The trick is distance. If the Brick lives on a shelf in another room or at home while you're at work, getting back into Instagram means getting up and walking. Reviewers at Tom's Guide and Consumer Reports both point to that physical friction as the reason it's harder to bypass than built-in limits. For real emergencies, Brick gives you five emergency unbricks. The company also sells Brick Night, a Bluetooth version that blocks automatically in your sleep space.

How does BlockMind work?

BlockMind is an app, with no hardware. It runs on iPhone using Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls frameworks. You choose distracting websites and apps and block them right now, on a schedule, or after a daily usage limit. Instead of physical distance, it uses time-based friction:

• A turn-off cooldown from 15 minutes up to 24 hours before protection can be switched off.
• Strict Mode, which locks your blocking settings for a period you choose.
• Deletion protection, with its own cooldown.
• A limited emergency pass for real emergencies.
• A block screen with a message from your future self, plus a streak calendar and a house that grows at the start, 7 days, 30 days and 60 days.

BlockMind vs Brick at a glance

Check Brick's site and BlockMind's App Store listing for current prices in your country.

What is Brick better at?

• Real-world friction. Walking to another room is a strong barrier, and there's no in-app button to undo the block.
• No subscription. You pay once for the device.
• Android support, and one Brick can be shared by a household.
• It's tangible. Some people like the ritual of "bricking" the phone at the door.

What is BlockMind better at?

• Automatic blocks. Schedules and daily limits happen without you remembering to tap anything. That matters for habits like checking your phone first thing in the morning.
• Working anywhere. There's no object to forget, lose or leave behind when you travel.
• Daily limits, not just on and off. You can allow 20 minutes of an app and block it after that.
• Protection from yourself through a cooldown, Strict Mode and deletion protection, so the block holds even when the "key" isn't in another room.
• Motivation through a streak and a growing house.

What are the weak spots of each?

Brick only works if you keep it away from you. If it sits next to you on the desk, unbricking takes two seconds. Reviewers also note that it doesn't touch your laptop, so browser distractions at your desk aren't covered. And the five emergency unbricks are a limited safety net, so plan for days you'll be away from it.

BlockMind has no physical barrier. Its friction is time, not distance, which some people find easier to wait out than others. It's iPhone-only, and there's no free plan for ongoing use. It also doesn't block your computer.

Who should choose Brick?

• You work or study in the same place every day and can leave the Brick in another room.
• You hate subscriptions and prefer a one-time purchase.
• You use Android, or want one device for the whole household.

Who should choose BlockMind?

• You want blocks that start automatically at set times, like during work hours or after 10 p.m.
• You're often on the move and don't want to depend on a physical object.
• You want daily limits on certain apps rather than a full shutdown.
• You've beaten other blockers by turning them off and need a cooldown and Strict Mode.

Can you use Brick and BlockMind together?

You can, but keep them on separate jobs so they don't clash. For example, use Brick for deep work at your desk, and BlockMind for an evening schedule and daily limits. If you're also comparing other apps, see our honest comparison of iPhone app blockers, BlockMind vs Opal and BlockMind vs one sec.

Related guides

• How to stop checking your phone at work
• How to stay focused while studying
• How to stop bypassing Screen Time limits

Sources

• Brick product page (price and features, checked Nov 5, 2026).
• Brick review, Tom's Guide.
• Can Brick solve my screen time problem?, Consumer Reports.