BLOCC vs Unpluq: Why Pay Monthly When You Can Pay Once?
Unpluq is one of the most popular NFC phone blockers. But at $7.99/month plus $29.99 for the tag, it costs over $125 in year one — and keeps charging. Here's how it compares to BLOCC's one-time €39.99.
TL;DR - The Cost Comparison
Year 1
Unpluq: ~$126
BLOCC: €40
Year 2
Unpluq: ~$222
BLOCC: €40
Year 3
Unpluq: ~$318
BLOCC: €40
Bottom line: Unpluq's subscription model means you pay ~3x more after one year, and the gap keeps growing. BLOCC gives you more features for a one-time fee that never increases.
The Real Cost of Unpluq (It Adds Up Fast)
Unpluq's pricing looks reasonable at first glance: $29.99 for the tag, $7.99/month for Premium. But let's do the math over time:
💰 Unpluq Total Cost Over Time
💚 BLOCC Total Cost Over Time
That's not a typo. After 3 years, you'd have paid over $317 for Unpluq vs €39.99 for BLOCC. And here's the kicker: if you cancel Unpluq's subscription, the NFC tag stops working entirely. You paid $29.99 for a tag that becomes a paperweight. With BLOCC, you pay once and it works forever.
How Both Products Work
Both BLOCC and Unpluq use NFC tags paired with a smartphone app. You choose which apps to block, tap your phone on the tag to start a session, and your distracting apps become inaccessible until you tap again.
The core idea is the same: create a physical barrier between you and your distractions. Leave the tag at home when you go to work, and you literally cannot open Instagram no matter how bored you get in a meeting.
Where they differ: Unpluq includes "distraction barriers" (digital challenges like shaking your phone or tapping patterns) as alternatives to the physical tag. BLOCC focuses on the physical tag experience but adds gamification, timer modes, and social impact features.
Feature Comparison
Blocking Modes
Unpluq offers NFC tag blocking plus digital barriers: tap patterns, shaking, scrolling. You can use these without the tag, which is convenient but also means you can bypass the block with a few phone shakes — arguably defeating the purpose.
BLOCC offers NFC blocking, QR code blocking, timer-based blocking (set a duration, apps auto-unblock), and physical unlock (require a specific tag to stop — hand it to a friend for ultimate accountability).
Scheduling
Unpluq has an edge here with automatic schedules. You can set apps to be blocked Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, and it activates without you needing to tap anything. This is genuinely useful for work routines.
BLOCC uses manual activation (tap to start) or timer-based sessions. There's no automatic scheduling yet. For some people, the manual act of tapping is part of the ritual — but if you want set-and-forget scheduling, Unpluq has this covered.
Gamification (BLOCC only)
Unpluq shows basic screen time stats. BLOCC turns focus into a game with tower building (your virtual city grows with every session), 50+ achievements, streaks, and rank progression from Rookie to BLOCC God. This is the single biggest feature difference and the reason many users stick with BLOCC long-term.
Social Impact (BLOCC only)
BLOCC donates to education and emergency aid charities. Focus sessions contribute to school supplies for kids in conflict zones. Emergency unlocks (quitting early) cost €2.99, which goes 100% to the Red Cross. It's a clever accountability mechanism — you're less likely to quit when it costs a charity.
Android Support
Unpluq works on both iOS and Android. BLOCC is currently iOS only. If you're on Android, Unpluq is your choice in this matchup.
What Unpluq Does Better (Being Honest)
- 📱 Android support: Unpluq works on Android and iOS. BLOCC is iOS-only for now.
- 📅 Automatic scheduling: Set it and forget it. Apps block themselves at the times you choose.
- 🔀 Digital barriers: Shake, tap, or scroll challenges give you options when you don't have the tag nearby.
- 👨👩👧 Family features: Unpluq Family lets parents manage kids' devices, which BLOCC doesn't specifically offer.
- 📊 Longer track record: Unpluq has been around since 2020 and has more reviews and a larger community.
What BLOCC Does Better
- 💰 Pricing: €39.99 once vs $125+/year. This is the elephant in the room.
- 🏗️ Gamification: Tower building, 50+ achievements, streaks, rank system. Makes focus addictive.
- 🌍 Social impact: Your focus helps kids, your failures donate to charity. Unique accountability.
- ⏱️ Timer mode: Block for 25/45/60 minutes, then auto-unblock. Perfect for Pomodoro fans.
- 🔐 Physical unlock: Require a specific tag to stop. Hand it to someone for real accountability.
- ☕ Smart breaks: Pause your session without ending it. Apps stay blocked, timer pauses.
- 📵 No subscription lock-in: Your tag always works. No payment, no hostage situation.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | BLOCC | Unpluq |
|---|---|---|
| Tag Price | €39.99 (all-in) | $29.99 (tag only) |
| Monthly Subscription | None — ever | $7.99/month |
| Year 1 Total Cost | €39.99 | ~$126 |
| 3-Year Total Cost | €39.99 | ~$318 |
| NFC Blocking | ✅ | ✅ |
| QR Code Blocking | ✅ | ❌ |
| Timer Mode | ✅ | ❌ |
| Automatic Scheduling | ❌ | ✅ |
| Digital Barriers (shake, tap) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Physical Unlock (accountability) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Smart Breaks | ✅ | ❌ |
| Tower Building / Gamification | ✅ (50+ badges) | ❌ |
| Streaks & Achievements | ✅ | ❌ |
| Charity / Social Impact | ✅ | ❌ |
| Screen Time Stats | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Family / Parental Controls | Basic | ✅ (Unpluq Family) |
Who Should Buy What?
Choose BLOCC if you…
- ✓ Hate subscriptions (one-time €39.99)
- ✓ Want gamification to stay motivated
- ✓ Use the Pomodoro technique
- ✓ Care about charity/social impact
- ✓ Want accountability (physical unlock)
- ✓ Use an iPhone
Choose Unpluq if you…
- ✓ Use Android (BLOCC is iOS-only)
- ✓ Want automatic scheduling
- ✓ Prefer digital barriers when tag isn't nearby
- ✓ Need dedicated parental controls
- ✓ Don't mind paying monthly
- ✓ Value a longer track record / bigger community
For most iPhone users, BLOCC is the better value. You get more features, no subscription, and the gamification element that keeps you coming back. If you're on Android or absolutely need automatic scheduling, Unpluq is your best bet in the NFC blocker space — just go in knowing the subscription cost adds up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unpluq worth the monthly subscription?
That depends on your platform and needs. On Android, Unpluq is one of the few NFC blocker options, so the subscription may be worth it. On iPhone, BLOCC offers more features for a one-time payment — making it significantly better value over time.
What happens if I cancel Unpluq?
If you cancel Unpluq Premium, the NFC tag stops functioning for app blocking. You revert to Unpluq Free, which only blocks 2 apps using digital barriers. The $29.99 tag becomes a keychain ornament. With BLOCC, there's no subscription to cancel — your tag works forever.
Can I switch from Unpluq to BLOCC?
Yes. Purchase a BLOCC tag, download the BLOCC app, and set up your blocking profiles. It takes about 2 minutes. You can then cancel your Unpluq subscription. Your Unpluq tag won't work with BLOCC (and vice versa).
What about Brick or Bloom?
Brick costs $59 one-time (no subscription) but lacks gamification and timer features. Bloom costs $39 one-time with a nice card design. See our BLOCC vs Brick comparison for details. All are better value than Unpluq's subscription model over time.
What about Foqos (the free option)?
Foqos is a free, open-source app that works with any NFC tag. It's great if you're on a tight budget. However, it lacks gamification, charity features, and the polished experience of a dedicated product. You'd buy a generic NFC tag (~$1) and use the Foqos app for basic blocking.