Brick Alternative: Anchorlox vs. Brick

Looking for a Brick Alternative?

Brick has become one of the most popular physical focus tools on the market. The concept is simple: put your phone in a timed lockbox, close the lid, and eliminate distractions completely. It works, but it's not the only way to build better focus habits.

Anchorlox takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of locking your phone away, it uses on-device AI image recognition to detect a physical anchor object, like your headphones or a coffee mug, via your camera. As long as you stay near your anchor, your phone remains fully usable. Walk away, and distracting apps are automatically blocked.

Both tools aim to reduce screen time and improve focus, but they serve different needs and budgets. In this comparison, we break down the key differences to help you find the right solution for your workflow.

How Does Anchorlox Work as a Brick Alternative?

At first glance, Anchorlox and Brick seem to solve the same problem in completely different ways. But when you look closer, Anchorlox offers several advantages that make it a compelling Brick alternative, especially if you don't want to carry extra hardware.

The core idea is location-based app blocking. You place a physical object, your "anchor", at your desk, in your study, or wherever you want to focus. Anchorlox uses on-device AI to recognize that object through your camera. As long as the anchor is visible, your phone works normally. The moment you walk away, the app activates a customizable blocklist of distracting apps.

Unlike Brick, which requires a dedicated hardware device, Anchorlox runs entirely on your Android phone. There's nothing extra to buy or carry. The AI processing happens entirely on your device. No photos are uploaded, no data leaves your phone.

And when you're ready to take a break, you simply return to your anchor and scan it again. This "verified release" ensures you actually get up and move, turning every break into a physical reset.

Key Takeaways: Anchorlox vs. Brick

Choosing between Anchorlox and Brick comes down to your personal focus style and practical needs. Here are the most important points to consider:

• Cost: Anchorlox is free to start, with a Premium tier planned. Brick requires an upfront purchase of around €50–60.
• Flexibility: Anchorlox lets you use your phone at your focus location while blocking specific apps. Brick locks your phone away completely.
• Privacy: Both tools respect your privacy. Anchorlox processes everything on-device with no cloud uploads. Brick collects no data at all.
• Habit building: Anchorlox forces you to move and return to a physical location. Brick forces complete separation from your device.

If you're looking for a free, software-based Brick alternative that gives you more control over your focus sessions, Anchorlox is worth trying. If you prefer a physical, no-compromise approach and don't mind the upfront cost, Brick remains an excellent choice.