Noff vs Brick: a Brick alternative that uses any NFC tag
Brick made a simple idea popular: block distracting apps and make unlocking them a physical act. You tap your phone on a small device, and that tap is the only normal way back in. It works because it adds friction that willpower doesn't. But you don't need Brick's own device to get that friction. Noff does the same job on iPhone with any compatible NFC sticker, card or keychain. This page compares the two honestly, including where Brick is the better pick. Prices were checked on the official stores on 21 October 2026 and can change.
The short answer
- Choose Noff if you have an iPhone and want physical friction for less: a one-time €9.99 unlock plus an NFC sticker you may already own. No subscription, no account.
- Choose Brick if you want a polished, dedicated device that just works out of the box, or if you use Android.
Noff vs Brick at a glance
| Brick | Noff | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The Brick device: €63.95 on the Spanish store, $59 on the US store | Free download, then a one-time €9.99 in-app unlock |
| Hardware | Brick's own magnetic device | Any compatible NFC sticker, card or keychain |
| Subscription | No | No |
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 18 or later) and Android (12 or later) | iPhone (iOS 16 or later) |
| What you can block | Any iPhone app except Phone, plus selected Safari websites | Apps, whole app categories and websites |
| Modes or profiles | Up to 10 custom modes | Focus profiles, with Infinite, 30 min, 1 h or 2 h sessions |
| Anti-bypass | Strict Mode stops you deleting the app or changing settings to unbrick | Optional protections in Settings stop app deletion and new installs during a session |
| No device nearby | 5 Emergency Unbricks, then email support for more | 3 emergency unlocks per month, plus a 24-hour Recovery unlock |
| Lost the device or tag | Buy another Brick | Pair a spare NFC tag from Settings |
| App languages | English | English, Spanish and Catalan |
Brick details come from getbrick.com, its FAQ and its App Store listing. Noff details come from noff.app and the App Store listing.
Where Brick is better
Being fair matters here, because Brick is a good product: - A dedicated, designed object. Brick is a solid little device with a magnet and anti-slip silicone, made to stay put wherever you leave it. An NFC sticker is cheaper but less of an object, and some people find a "real" device easier to take seriously. - Android support. Brick works on Android as well as iPhone. Noff is iPhone only. - Nothing to choose. You order one product and you're done. With Noff you pick your own tag, although the recommended NFC tags page makes that quick. - Track record. Brick has been around longer and has far more reviews. - US extras. In the US, Brick can be paid for with HSA or FSA funds.
Where Noff is better
- Price. Brick costs €63.95 in Spain. Noff is a one-time €9.99 unlock plus a tag, and NFC stickers usually come in cheap multi-packs.
- Lost tag, not lost money. If you lose your Brick, you buy another one. With Noff you pair a spare sticker from Settings when no Focus session is active, so keep one from the pack at home.
- Use the format you like. A sticker on the desk, a card in your wallet, a keychain, or a token you print with the 3D generator.
- Older iPhones. Noff needs iOS 16 or later. Brick's app needs iOS 18 or later.
- Spanish and Catalan. The Noff app comes in English, Spanish and Catalan. Brick's App Store listing shows English only.
- Emergency unlocks that renew. Noff gives you 3 emergency unlocks every month. If a Focus session is active and the tag is gone, Recovery starts a 24-hour delayed unlock that can't be skipped, so you're never locked out for good.
- Private by design. No account, the core flow works offline, and your focus history stays on your iPhone.
Other Brick alternatives
If you're comparing more widely, here's what the official stores showed on 21 October 2026:
| Option | How it works | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monk | Its own NFC device | €54.95 for one |
| Tap Out | Its own NFC device | €47.95 |
| Unpluq | Its own tag plus the Unpluq app | Premium subscription required: €24.95 for 3 months (tag included) up to €69.95 for 12 months |
| Opal | App only, no physical step | Free tier; Pro from $99.99 a year or $399 lifetime |
| Noff | Any compatible NFC tag | Free download, one-time €9.99 unlock |
If what you want is an app blocker without a subscription, both Brick and Noff avoid monthly fees. The difference is how much hardware you pay for up front, and what the app gives you. Noff is a paid one-time unlock, available in English, Spanish and Catalan, with monthly emergency unlocks and a 24-hour Recovery built in.
How to switch from Brick (or start without it)
- Get an NFC tag. Any standard NFC sticker works. NTAG213, 215 and 216 are safe choices. See recommended NFC tags.
- Install Noff and allow Screen Time access when asked.
- Pair your tag and choose the apps, categories or websites to block.
- Start a Focus session and put the tag somewhere you have to walk to.
The full walkthrough is in how to block apps on iPhone with an NFC tag, and the best spots for the tag are in where to put your NFC tag.
FAQ
Is there a cheaper alternative to Brick?
Yes. Noff gives you the same tap-to-unlock idea on iPhone with any compatible NFC tag, for a one-time €9.99 unlock instead of a €63.95 device.
Can I use Noff without buying a device?
You need an NFC tag, but it doesn't have to be a branded one. Standard stickers, cards and keychains work.
Does Brick need a subscription?
No. Brick's app has no subscription; you pay for the device. Noff has no subscription either.
Does Noff work on Android?
No. Noff is iPhone only. If you need Android, Brick supports it.
Is Noff free?
It's free to download. Full blocking features unlock with a one-time €9.99 purchase. There's no subscription.