BLOCC vs Brick: Which NFC Phone Blocker Actually Keeps You Focused?
Both use a physical NFC tag to block apps on your iPhone. Both cost a one-time fee. Both promise to end your doomscrolling habit. So which one should you buy? Here's an honest, side-by-side comparison.
TL;DR - Quick Verdict
Choose Brick if you want a simple, no-frills NFC blocker and don't care about gamification or tracking. It's been around longer and has a proven track record.
Choose BLOCC if you want more than just blocking — gamification (tower building, 50+ achievements), habit tracking, charity donations, timer modes, and multi-device support for less money.
Bottom line: BLOCC costs ~30% less and turns focus into a game. If you've tried Brick and got bored after a month, BLOCC's gamification might be what keeps you going.
How Both Work (The Basics)
Both BLOCC and Brick use the same core technology: NFC (Near Field Communication). It's the same tech in your contactless bank card. Here's the workflow:
- Choose which apps to block — social media, games, news, whatever steals your time
- Tap your phone on the tag — apps are instantly blocked, notifications silenced
- Put the tag somewhere out of reach — in a drawer, on the fridge, give it to a friend
- Tap again to unblock — when you're ready, scan the tag to get your apps back
The genius is in the physical barrier. Unlike Screen Time (which you can bypass with one tap), you literally cannot unblock your apps without the physical tag. If the tag is in another room, you have to get up, walk there, and make a conscious decision. That 30-second delay is often enough to break the autopilot habit.
Where BLOCC and Brick differ is everything around this core mechanic — the app experience, motivation tools, pricing, and extra features.
Pricing: BLOCC Is Cheaper for More
BLOCC Tag
€39.99
One-time payment · ~$43 USD
- ✓ 1 Premium NFC Tag
- ✓ Unlocks Premium for multiple devices
- ✓ Free EU shipping
- ✓ Towers, Streaks, Achievements
- ✓ Timer + Physical Unlock modes
- ✓ Charity donations built-in
- ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee
Brick
$59
One-time payment · ~€55 EUR
- ✓ 1 NFC Device
- ✓ Works with multiple phones
- ✓ Shipping varies by region
- ✓ Core app blocking
- ✓ Usage history tracking
- ✗ No gamification
- ✗ No charity/social impact
The math is simple: BLOCC costs about 30% less than Brick and includes features (gamification, charity, timer modes) that Brick doesn't offer. Both are one-time purchases with no subscription — which is refreshing in a world of monthly fees. Both also work with multiple phones, so you can share with family.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
App Blocking (Tie)
Both BLOCC and Brick use Apple's Screen Time API to block apps. You choose which apps to block, and they become completely inaccessible during a session. Both support selecting individual apps and entire categories. This is a tie — the core blocking works identically.
Blocking Strategies (BLOCC wins)
Brick offers one mode: tap to block, tap to unblock. Simple and effective.
BLOCC offers multiple strategies: NFC tap (like Brick), NFC + Timer (block for a set duration, then auto-unblock), and Physical Unlock (require a specific tag to stop — great for accountability partners). You can also use QR codes instead of NFC if you prefer.
Timer Mode (BLOCC only)
BLOCC lets you set a focus timer: 15, 25, 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. Apps are blocked for the duration, then automatically unblock. This is perfect for Pomodoro-style work sessions. Brick doesn't have a timer — you manually tap to start and stop.
Smart Breaks (BLOCC only)
During a BLOCC session, you can pause for a break without ending your session. Your apps stay blocked, but the focus timer pauses. When you resume, you pick up where you left off. Brick doesn't offer breaks — if you need a pause, you end the entire session.
Gamification: This Is Where BLOCC Shines
This is the biggest difference between the two products. Brick is minimalist by design — it blocks apps and shows you basic usage history. No bells, no whistles.
BLOCC turns focus into a game:
- 🏗️ Tower Building: Every minute of deep work adds a block to your virtual city. Watch it grow in real-time on your screen. It's oddly satisfying — users report feeling genuinely excited to see their tower grow.
- 🔥 Streaks: Daily and weekly streaks track your consistency. Breaking a 30-day streak hurts enough to keep you honest.
- 🏅 50+ Achievements: From "First Focus" to "BLOCC God" — there's always something to work toward. Rank up from Rookie through multiple tiers.
- 📈 Progress Dashboard: Detailed stats on your focus time, sessions completed, and long-term trends.
Why does this matter? Because the hardest part of any habit isn't starting — it's continuing after the novelty wears off. Brick users often report using it intensely for a few weeks, then forgetting about it. BLOCC's gamification gives you a reason to keep going. The tower, the streaks, the achievements — they create a positive feedback loop that software-only blockers can't match.
Social Impact: Focus for Good
This is unique to BLOCC. Every completed tower block contributes to an education fund that provides school supplies for children in conflict zones. And if you use an Emergency Unlock (ending a session early), the €2.99 fee goes 100% to the Red Cross. BLOCC keeps nothing.
It's a clever psychological trick: you're less likely to quit a session when quitting means you're taking money away from a good cause. Brick has no equivalent feature.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | BLOCC | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €39.99 (~$43) | $59 (~€55) |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Devices per tag | Multiple | Unlimited |
| NFC Blocking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Timer Mode | ✅ | ❌ |
| Physical Unlock (specific tag) | ✅ | ❌ |
| QR Code Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Smart Breaks | ✅ | ❌ |
| Tower Building / Gamification | ✅ (50+ badges) | ❌ |
| Streaks | ✅ | ❌ |
| Charity / Social Impact | ✅ | ❌ |
| Usage History | ✅ | ✅ |
| Offline Mode | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free Shipping (EU) | ✅ | Varies |
Who Should Buy What?
Buy BLOCC if you…
- ✓ Want gamification to stay motivated long-term
- ✓ Like the Pomodoro technique (timer mode)
- ✓ Care about charity/social impact
- ✓ Want accountability features (physical unlock)
- ✓ Are on a budget (€39.99 vs $59)
- ✓ Live in the EU (free shipping)
Buy Brick if you…
- ✓ Want a proven product (longer track record)
- ✓ Prefer minimal apps — just blocking, nothing extra
- ✓ Don't care about gamification or streaks
- ✓ Are based in the US (potentially faster shipping)
- ✓ Value simplicity over features
Both are solid products. The question is whether you need just a blocker (Brick) or a blocker + motivation system (BLOCC). If you've tried app blockers before and quit after the novelty wore off, BLOCC's gamification is specifically designed to solve that problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BLOCC better than Brick?
BLOCC offers more features (gamification, timer modes, charity donations, smart breaks) for a lower price (€39.99 vs $59). Whether it's "better" depends on what you value. If you want a simple blocker, Brick works fine. If you want motivation tools to keep you going long-term, BLOCC has the edge.
Do they use the same technology?
Yes. Both use NFC (Near Field Communication) and Apple's Screen Time API. The core blocking mechanism is identical. The differences are in the app features built on top of that mechanism.
Can I switch from Brick to BLOCC?
Yes. BLOCC uses its own NFC tag, so you'd need to purchase a BLOCC tag. Your Brick tag won't work with the BLOCC app (and vice versa). The setup process takes about 2 minutes.
What about free alternatives like Foqos?
Foqos is a great free, open-source app that works with any NFC tag. It offers basic blocking and habit tracking. Where BLOCC differs is in the premium experience: custom-designed tags, gamification (tower building, achievements), charity integration, and a polished app with ongoing updates and support.
What about Unpluq or Bloom?
Unpluq costs $29.99 for the tag plus requires a monthly subscription ($7.99/mo). After one year, you've paid over $125. Bloom costs $39 with no subscription. Neither offers gamification or charity features. See our BLOCC vs Unpluq comparison for more details.