Best Brick Alternatives for Phone Focus in 2026: 8 Tools Compared

#1

Opal

Best for: scheduled blocking with focus scores

Visit opal.so

Opal is the closest software match to Brick for people who want a firm boundary. You set rules by schedule, by time limit, or by number of opens, and the app blocks the apps you choose while a session runs. Paid Deep Focus mode removes the off switch, which mirrors the commitment of tapping a physical Brick device and walking away from your phone.

The reports are the other reason people stay with Opal. A daily score and weekly summary show where time went, which makes it easier to spot the one app that eats an evening. That feedback helps if you have tried a simple timer and found that you just ignored it. Opal also works on Android and Mac in addition to iPhone, so a block can follow you from phone to computer.

Cost is the main trade-off. At about $100 per year, Opal costs more than most tools on this list, and the free tier covers only one rule. If you need blocking on many devices or you want the strictest lock, the price may still be fair. If you only need to tame one or two apps, try a cheaper friction tool first and move to Opal only if gentle nudges fail.

#2

one sec

Best for: a pause before distracting apps open

Visit one-sec.app

one sec takes a different path from Brick. Instead of locking your phone, it inserts a short pause each time you open a flagged app. You breathe, you see a prompt, and then you choose whether to continue. That small delay breaks the automatic habit of opening an app without thinking, which is often the real problem.

The appeal is how light it feels. There is no schedule to manage and no lock to fear, so you are less likely to delete the app after a bad day. People who use it for social apps often report fewer opens even though nothing is ever fully blocked. The free tier covers one app, which is enough to test the idea on your worst time sink.

The limit is clear. If you need a hard stop during work hours or before bed, a pause alone may not hold. one sec is best as a first step, or as a companion to a stricter blocker for certain hours. At $19.99 per year, it is also one of the cheapest paid options here.

#3

Forest

Best for: gamified focus sessions

Visit forestapp.cc

Forest turns focus into a small game. You plant a seed, you stay off your phone for a set time, and a tree grows. Leave early and the tree dies. That visual stake works well for students and for anyone who finds a plain timer dull, and the app also offers a Time Guard feature that blocks chosen apps on a daily schedule outside focus sessions.

Setup takes minutes. Pick a duration, pick the apps to block in Deep Focus, and start. Over time you build a small forest that shows your record, and friends can plant together for shared sessions. The one-time iOS price keeps the long-term cost low compared with yearly subscriptions.

Forest is not a hard wall. You can always quit, and the only loss is a virtual tree. If you need a lock you cannot end early, pair Forest with a stricter tool or choose Freedom instead. For gentle motivation and a low price, though, Forest is hard to beat.

#4

Freedom

Best for: blocking across every device

Visit freedom.to

Freedom suits people whose distraction moves from phone to laptop. A session can block chosen apps and websites on every device you own, or cut internet access entirely for a set period. Recurring sessions run through the week, so you can protect work hours, study time, and bedtime without starting a session by hand each day.

Locked Mode is the feature that makes Freedom feel close to Brick. Once a paid session starts in Locked Mode, you cannot quit it early. That commitment matters when willpower fades in the afternoon. Freedom also lets you schedule different blocklists for different parts of the day, such as social apps in the morning and video apps at night.

The downside is that there is no free tier to test with, though trials are often offered on the vendor site. At $39.99 per year, Freedom costs less than half of Opal while covering more devices. If your main problem is only on one phone, a cheaper phone-only app may be enough. If distraction follows you across screens, Freedom is the practical pick.

#5

Jomo

Best for: blocking plus screen time rules

Visit jomo.app

Jomo blends blocking with reflection. You set limits and schedules for distracting apps, and the app adds journaling prompts and usage stats to help you notice patterns. That mix appeals to people who want to change a habit, not just hide an app for a few hours.

The interface keeps daily rules simple. You can cap an app, block it during chosen hours, and review how the week went. For many users, seeing a clear total for a single app is enough to change behaviour, and the block then backs up that decision. Jomo also offers a lifetime option in app stores, which can suit buyers who dislike yearly renewals.

Jomo does not match the strictest locks on this list for every use case. If you need a session that cannot be ended early, check Opal Deep Focus or Freedom Locked Mode first. Jomo is a strong middle option: firmer than a pause, gentler than a total lock, and priced below Opal.

#6

ScreenZen

Best for: free friction and strict blocks

Visit screenzen.co

ScreenZen is the best free starting point in this group. It adds open delays, per-app goals, and strict blocks by time range or number of opens, and purchases are optional tips rather than a required subscription. Data stays on the device, which appeals to people who do not want usage stats sent to a cloud account.

Strictness is configurable. You can lock settings until a time you choose, or name an accountability partner who can let you back in. That range lets ScreenZen act as a gentle delay for one app and a firm block for another. It runs on iOS, Android, and Mac, with Windows also listed on its site.

The trade-off for a free app is polish and support. ScreenZen does not have the reporting depth of Opal or the cross-device reach of Freedom. For most people, though, that does not matter at first. Try ScreenZen free, learn which apps and hours cause trouble, and only pay for a premium blocker if you still need stricter controls.

#7

AppBlock

Best for: strict schedules on Android and iOS

Visit appblock.app

AppBlock is built around profiles. You create a work profile, a study profile, or a bedtime profile, each with its own blocked apps and hours, and you switch between them as the day changes. Strict mode then prevents changes during a running schedule, which gives AppBlock more bite than a simple limit.

That profile system helps households and students with varied days. A bedtime profile can block social and video apps from 10 pm, while a work profile blocks only the apps that break concentration. Usage stats show which profile is working and which hours still leak time, so you can adjust rather than guess.

Pricing varies by store and region, so check the current price in your app store before you commit. The free tier is enough to test one or two profiles. AppBlock is a good fit if you like clear schedules and you want strict mode without paying Opal prices.

#8

Clearspace

Best for: a calmer home screen and app limits

Visit getclearspace.com

Clearspace changes what you see when you pick up your phone. Instead of a grid of colourful icons that invite tapping, you get a calmer screen that shows only what you chose. That change alone cuts many mindless opens, because the trigger is gone before willpower is even needed.

Session limits add a second layer. You can cap time in chosen apps and get a reminder when a session ends, which helps with apps you still need for messages or work but do not want to scroll for an hour. Clearspace suits people whose problem is the home screen itself rather than one specific app.

Clearspace is not the strictest blocker here. If you need a lock that cannot be ended, Opal or Freedom will serve you better. If your phone feels noisy and you open apps out of habit, Clearspace offers a calm, low-cost reset.