Warden
How we compare, and our bias
We make Warden, which is neither of these, so we have a view on blockers generally. Everything below comes from each provider's own website as reviewed in September 2026, not from our testing, and there are no scores.
Opal in short
Opal's site describes Focus Rules, a Focus Timer, an Opal Score and milestone rewards, with Focus Reports and progress insights. It lists iPhone, Mac and Android versions, and a Deep Focus option restricts ending a session early.
Reference: Opal
Brick in short
Brick's site describes choosing apps and starting a session by tapping your phone against a physical Brick. It lists iOS and Android support, a strict option and emergency unbricks. The object is the point: ending the session means going back to it.
Reference: Brick
The differences that matter
- Where the stop lives: in software on your devices for Opal, in an object you keep somewhere for Brick.
- Devices: Opal lists iPhone, Mac and Android; Brick lists iOS and Android phones.
- Stopping early: Opal's Deep Focus restricts it in software; Brick asks you to return to the device, with emergency unbricks available.
- Feedback: Opal describes scores, reports and milestones; check Brick's current site for what it shows.
Which fits which person
Choose Opal if you like structure, measurement and one tool across phone and computer. Choose Brick if you want the stopping point outside the phone, and you are happy to keep track of an object, including when you travel.
If your plan breaks because you override your own limit, a third route is another person: Warden lets a trusted person approve early access for the rules you choose.
Example: two people, two different breaks
One person loses the afternoon to their laptop and phone together; a session that covers both devices and shows progress suits them, so Opal fits. Another only struggles at home in the evening, and walking to a Brick on the hallway shelf is exactly the friction they need.
Neither is the stricter app in general. Each is stricter at a different moment.
