Brick vs. PauseBox
This isn’t a comparison about features. PauseBox and Brick block your apps the same way. The choice comes down to price and values.
Brick is a company with employees, a marketing department, etc. What they do is great! I almost bought one myself (more on that below). It’s just expensive ($45–$59 depending on their sales) and their app requires you to create an account and collects your data.
I actually almost bought a Brick…
My wife, in a not-so-subtle hint that my doomscrolling needed to be fixed, showed me a picture of a Brick. The concept seemed awesome! I just didn’t want to spend close to $60 for it… I’m also pretty protective of my privacy and I don’t want a company with access to my screen time controls collecting my data. I’m sure they’re cool, but data leaks happen and better to not have stuff like that on hand.
So I did what any reasonable person would do: I bought a $100 Apple Developer License, spent the next six months teaching myself iOS development, learned how to talk to NFC chips, picked up enough 3D modeling to design the enclosure, and made my own.
I’m not knocking Brick — they built a great product (as did Unpluq, the OG of this space, before them). I just wanted something more affordable and private. If that’s important to you, PauseBox will work great!
Side by side
| PauseBox | Brick | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.95 | $45–$59 |
| Account required | No | Yes |
| Collects your data | No | Yes |
| Subscription | No | No |
| Made by | Just me, in Snohomish, WA | A company with a team |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | iOS-first | Yes |
| Custom focus modes | Pause Groups | Brick Modes |
| Support | Text my cell directly | Help center |
Buy the one that matches what you care about
Choose PauseBox if…
- You don’t want to make an account or share your data
- You want to spend under $30
- You’re on iPhone
- You like the idea of buying from a person, not a company
Choose Brick if…
- Price isn’t the deciding factor
- You’re on Android
- You want the most-reviewed product
Common questions
Did you really build PauseBox yourself?
Yes! All of the hardware design, iOS coding, NFC integration, 3D printing, packaging, branding, website, customer support (handled via my cell phone!) all done by me… my wife and kids sometimes will do the mail run to the local Snohomish post office.
Will PauseBox block all the same apps Brick does?
Yes. Both use Apple’s Screen Time API, so the supported app list is the same on iOS — social media, email, browsers, games.
Is there a free trial?
No, both are physical objects. PauseBox is $24.95, so the financial risk is small — and the return policy is straightforward; just text or email me.
Can I switch from one to the other?
Yes. Each works with its own app, so switching means installing the other and pairing the new device. You’ll adjust in a day.