Comparison

Screentide vs Brick

Both put the key to your apps in the physical world. Tap something to block distracting apps, and you have to go back to it to unblock them. Brick is a $59 NFC device for iPhone and Android. Screentide is a free Android app that turns NFC stickers or printed QR codes into the same kind of key.

Brick details are from getbrick.com, checked September 2026.

The short answer

Choose Brick if

You use an iPhone.
You want one polished object that's strict out of the box.
You'd rather not set anything up.

Choose Screentide if

You're on Android, and would rather spend a few dollars than $59.
You want keys in several places, or the "off" key in another room.
You also want schedules, calendar or location triggers, or gentler options than a hard block.

Side by side

Feature	Screentide	Brick
Price	Free app. NFC stickers cost a few dollars a pack, and QR codes are free to print.	$59 per device.
Subscription	Not needed. Optional Gold is a subscription or a one-time purchase.	None.
Platforms	Android.	iPhone (iOS 17 or later) and Android (12 or later).
The key	Any NFC sticker, an NFC card you already own, or a printed QR code.	The Brick itself, a magnetic NFC puck.
Keys in several places	Up to 20 tags or codes on one Switch, on the free plan.	One per device. Two Bricks cost $106.20.
Starting and stopping	Each tag or code can turn blocking on, off, or toggle it, so the "off" key can live in another room.	Tap the same Brick to block and to unblock.
Emergency access	Optional Daily Pardons, or an Unlock Challenge you choose.	Five Emergency Unbricks, with more available by email.
Stopping workarounds	Unlock Challenges: cooldown, restart, charging, PIN, or a partner's authenticator code. Tamper Prevention with Gold.	Strict Mode prevents deleting the app or changing settings to unbrick.
Profiles	3 rules free, unlimited with Gold.	Up to 10 custom modes.
Beyond blocking	Slow, Tint, Pause and Mute, plus schedules, Calendar Sync, location, Wi-Fi and charging triggers.	Blocks the apps in your chosen mode.

What it costs to block in three rooms

Say you want a key on your desk, your nightstand and by the front door.

Brick: three devices. At $59 each with 10% off for two or more, that's about $159.
Screentide: one Switch with three NFC stickers, or three printed QR codes, on the free plan.

Where Brick is better

iPhone support. Screentide is Android only for now.
No setup. Brick is ready to go, and strict by default. With Screentide, you create a Switch and a rule, and add an Unlock Challenge so you can't simply switch the rule off in the app.
A visible reminder. A device on the counter is a nudge in itself.

Where Screentide is better

Cost. The app is free, and the key is a sticker or a sheet of paper.
Any number of places. Up to 20 tags or codes per Switch, each able to turn blocking on, off, or toggle it.
No NFC needed. Printed QR codes work on any Android phone with a camera.
More than blocking. Slow feeds while messages still send, cover them with a translucent colored tint, add a breathing pause, or hold notifications until later. Rules can also start on their own, from a schedule, your calendar, a location or a Wi-Fi network.

Set up a physical blocker with Screentide

Questions

Is Screentide a free alternative to Brick?

On Android, yes. Screentide is free, and its NFC and QR code controls work like Brick: tap a tag to block apps, and go back to it to unblock them. You supply the tag, which is usually a few dollars for a pack of NFC stickers, or a free printed QR code.

Does Screentide work on iPhone like Brick?

Not yet. Screentide is Android only. If you use an iPhone, Brick is the better choice today.

Can I use my own NFC tags with Screentide?

Yes. Screentide can write to common NFC stickers such as NTAG213 or NTAG215, which then work in the background. It can also use a tag or card you already own without changing it, as long as Screentide is open when you scan it.

Is Brick worth $59?

It can be. Brick is one polished object that is strict out of the box, it works on iPhone, and it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are on Android and happy to spend ten minutes on setup, Screentide does the same basic job for the price of a few stickers.