Brick Alternative
Best Brick Alternative for Procrastinators
Goal-driven accountability vs hardware-based friction.
Brick vs Accountable AI: Which Is Right for You?
Brick has made waves in the digital wellness space by introducing a clever physical solution: an NFC-powered device that you tap to block or unblock distracting apps. The genius is in the friction—to check Instagram, you have to physically walk to wherever you left the Brick and tap it. For many people, that extra step is enough to break the automatic phone-checking habit.
But there's a fundamental question: does adding physical friction actually make you productive? You might leave the Brick in another room, resist the urge to check social media, and still accomplish nothing. The apps are blocked, but the work isn't guaranteed. Plus, there's the $59 hardware cost and the risk of losing or forgetting your Brick when you need it most.
Accountable AI takes a different approach that doesn't require any hardware. Instead of blocking apps until you physically tap something, it blocks apps until you complete a specific goal and submit photo proof. The friction isn't physical—it's psychological. Your apps become rewards you earn through actual accomplishment, not just things you can access by walking to another room.
Both approaches add friction to mindless scrolling. Brick makes you work physically to access apps. Accountable AI makes you work productively. For some people, the physical ritual of tapping the Brick is powerful. For others, tying app access to real goals creates deeper accountability.
Keep Reading
If you want the science and strategies behind accountability, start here:
Common Brick Frustrations
If any of these sound familiar, Accountable AI might be a better fit:
- ✗Requires $59 hardware purchase—another thing to lose or forget
- ✗Physical friction doesn't guarantee you actually do productive work
- ✗Emergency Unbricks can become a habit—5 per month adds up
- ✗Scheduling features reported as inconsistent on some Android devices
- ✗If you forget the Brick at home, your entire system breaks
| Feature | Accountable AI | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Unblock Method | Complete task + submit proof → apps unlock | Physically tap NFC device → apps unlock |
| Hardware Required | None—works with just your phone | Yes—$59 NFC Brick device |
| Productivity Link | Direct: apps unlock when work is done | Indirect: apps unlock when you reach the Brick |
| Emergency Override | None—must complete task to unlock | 5 Emergency Unbricks per month |
| Platform | iOS (Screen Time API) | iOS and Android |
Choose Accountable AI if...
- ✓You don't want to buy or carry additional hardware.
- ✓You want app access tied to actual task completion.
- ✓You need zero escape hatches—no Emergency Unbricks.
Choose Brick if...
- •Physical rituals help you stay mindful.
- •You want Android support.
- •You prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription.
The Bottom Line
Brick is an innovative hardware solution that adds physical friction to phone addiction. Tapping an NFC device to unlock apps works well for building awareness. But physical friction and productive friction are different—you can tap the Brick and still not do any work. Accountable AI creates a direct link between productivity and app access: complete your goal, get your apps. No hardware, no Emergency Unbricks, no walking to another room. Just prove you did the work.
Real Users Who Switched from Brick
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not guarantees of results. Results vary.
“Brick was clever but I found myself using all 5 Emergency Unbricks every month. The physical friction wasn't enough—I'd just walk to the Brick when cravings hit. Accountable AI doesn't have that escape hatch. My apps stay locked until the work is done.”
“I loved the Brick concept but kept forgetting it places—at home when I needed focus at a coffee shop, at work when I wanted family time at home. Accountable AI travels with my phone. No hardware to forget, no system failures.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Brick vs Accountable AI
Is Accountable AI cheaper than Brick?
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Brick costs $59 one-time while Accountable AI is $3.99/month. After 15 months, Accountable AI costs more total, but you get goal-based blocking instead of just physical friction. Many users find the productivity link worth the ongoing cost.
Does Accountable AI require any hardware like Brick?
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No. Accountable AI is software-only, using Apple's Screen Time API. There's nothing to buy, lose, or forget. Brick requires a $59 NFC device that you must physically tap to block or unblock apps.
What if I lose my Brick device?
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If you lose your Brick, your blocking system is compromised until you get a replacement. With Accountable AI, there's nothing to lose—the app lives on your phone and blocks stay active regardless of external devices.
Can I bypass Accountable AI like Brick's Emergency Unbricks?
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No. Brick offers 5 Emergency Unbricks per month—a potential loophole. Accountable AI has no emergency bypass. The only way to unlock apps is to complete your goal and submit proof. This creates stronger accountability.
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