Brick vs Unpluq

Brick

• People who override app-based blockers and want a physical barrier
• Households sharing one device across several phones
• Leaving distractions in another room during work, meals or sleep

Unpluq

• People who want a physical step between themselves and social apps
• Locking a set of apps during work hours, evenings or weekends
• Parents setting app limits on a child's iPhone or Android phone

Brick

• Unblocking needs the physical Brick; if it is lost, the app offers five Emergency Unbricks and more only on request.
• On iPhone it blocks any app except Phone, but only selected Safari sites from Apple's approved list.
• It needs iOS 17.0 or later or Android 12.0 or later; the App Store lists the app for iPhone only, and no desktop version is offered.
• Cases at $39 and the Brick Mount at $15 are sold separately from the $59 device.

Unpluq

• The free version stops at 2 blocked apps, 1 schedule and 2 barrier types.
• The Unpluq Tag only works with a Premium subscription, so the hardware price comes on top of one.
• Website blocking works only on iPhone and only in Safari; the FAQ says Android cannot block websites yet.
• Phone only: the App Store listing is iPhone-only, there is no desktop app, and the web store sets prices by country.

Brick

Tap to block, tap to unblock

Tapping the phone against the Brick blocks the chosen apps, and only another tap on the device restores them. It has no battery and needs no Wi-Fi.

Custom modes

Up to 10 modes, such as work, family, sleep or gym, each blocking its own set of apps. A mode can instead allow only chosen apps and block the rest.

Remote start

Holding the virtual Brick in the app for 5 seconds starts a session from anywhere. The physical device is still needed to end it.

Strict Mode

Closes common loopholes by preventing the app from being deleted or its settings changed in order to unblock.

Emergency Unbricks

The app includes five Emergency Unbricks that unblock every app if the device is lost. More can be requested from support by email.

Schedules and analytics

The site lists schedules and analytics alongside modes, and a focus timer starts with each session to record distraction-free time.

Unpluq

Scheduled app blocking

Pick the apps to block and the hours they stay locked, such as work time, evenings or weekends. Premium allows unlimited schedules, each with its own set of up to 49 apps.

Distraction barriers

Opening a blocked app means completing a task first: shaking the phone, tapping a pattern of buttons, scrolling, scanning a QR code or a random pick. Android adds a walking barrier.

Unpluq Tag

A keychain-sized NFC fob that unlocks blocked apps when tapped against the phone. It needs Premium and works with iPhone 8 or later and Android phones that have NFC.

Screen time statistics

The app shows screen time stats so you can follow your progress, and the subscription page mentions tracking the time you have saved.

Emergency Mode

Once a day, Emergency Mode opens full access for 5 minutes so schedules can be changed without the Tag. It can be switched off entirely.

Unpluq Family

A parental-control edition: the parent chooses which apps a child can open and when, and keeps the Tag that unlocks the restricted ones. Lite covers up to 3 phones.

Brick

• Brick$59

  one-time purchase per device

  One Brick device, used with the free companion app and any number of phones. Sold with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unpluq

• Unpluq Free$0

  Blocks 2 apps on 1 schedule, with 2 barriers to choose from: tapping buttons or shaking the phone.

• Premium Monthly$6.99

  per month, US App Store in-app purchase

  Unlimited blocked apps (up to 49 per schedule), unlimited schedules, every barrier type and Tag support. One subscription covers one phone and one tablet.

• Unpluq Tag$26.50

  one-time purchase, hardware only (US web store)

  The NFC key fob on its own, for people who already subscribe. It only works with Unpluq Premium.

• Premium Subscription (web store)$29

  per 3 months, prepaid on unpluq.com (US web store)

  Prepaid Premium by activation code: $29 for 3 months, $42 for 6 or $76 for 12 without a Tag; $29, $46 or $81 with a Tag. The homepage calls the 3-month term a summer offer.

• Premium Yearly$59.99

  per year, US App Store in-app purchase

  The same Premium features billed once a year through the App Store. Google Play lists its in-app items at $6.99 to $59.99.

• Unpluq Family$79.95

  per year for Lite, up to 3 phones (US web store)

  One Tag plus a 1-year Family subscription that renews automatically. Full, at $99.95, covers unlimited phones.

Brick

• Other savings

  10% off two or more Bricks

  The product page prices two Bricks at $106.20 instead of $118, a 10% saving, and adds free shipping on orders of two or more.

• Other savings

  20% off for military, teachers and medics

  US military, first responders, teachers and medical professionals who verify through ID.me get 20% off a Brick. It applies to new customers and to the device only.

• Education

  Student discount

  Brick's site links a Student Discount page for unlocking a discount. The page text does not show the amount.

Unpluq

• Annual discount

  Yearly Premium costs about 28% less than monthly

  The US App Store lists Unpluq Premium Yearly at $59.99 against Premium Monthly at $6.99, which comes to $83.88 over twelve months.

• Education

  40% off for university and college students

  Non-dependent students at accredited universities and colleges get 40% off the Unpluq Tag with a 6 or 12 month subscription after emailing proof of enrollment.

• Other savings

  30% off for military service members

  Unpluq's FAQ offers 30% off to active or former military service members who send proof of their veteran or active duty status to its support team.