Foqos Alternative
Best Foqos Alternative for Procrastinators
Free NFC blocking vs goal-verified productivity.
Foqos vs Accountable AI: Which Is Right for You?
Foqos has disrupted the NFC blocker market by being 100% free and open source. With a 4.9-star rating and over 1,000 reviews, it proves that physical phone blocking doesn't require expensive hardware. Use cheap NFC tags (under $1) or free QR codes—no $59 devices needed.
The feature set rivals paid competitors: timer-based sessions with physical unlock, habit tracking, smart breaks, iOS Live Activities, and multi-day scheduling. The Calgary-based developer has committed to keeping it free indefinitely.
For iPhone users who want to try NFC blocking, Foqos is the obvious starting point. There's literally nothing to lose (it's free) and the quality matches or exceeds paid alternatives.
But Foqos shares the same fundamental limitation as all physical blockers: blocking time doesn't equal productive time. You can scan your NFC tag, sit in "focus mode" doing nothing useful, then scan again to resume scrolling. The system blocked your apps—but it didn't ensure you accomplished anything.
Accountable AI addresses this gap. Instead of physical unlock triggers, it uses goal completion with AI-verified proof. Your apps don't unlock because you scanned something—they unlock because you finished your task and proved it. For users who've tried Foqos and still feel unproductive, this is the missing piece.
Keep Reading
If you want the science and strategies behind accountability, start here:
Common Foqos Frustrations
If any of these sound familiar, Accountable AI might be a better fit:
- ✗Blocking time ≠ productive time—no verification of actual work
- ✗iOS only—Android users can't use it
- ✗Physical friction alone doesn't ensure task completion
- ✗Can still waste blocked time doing nothing useful
- ✗No consequence for unproductive "focus" sessions
| Feature | Accountable AI | Foqos |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $3.99/month after free trial | 100% free, open source |
| Unblock Method | Complete task + AI verifies proof | Scan NFC tag or QR code |
| Productivity Verification | AI analyzes photo proof of work completion | None—just time-based blocking |
| Hardware Required | None | NFC tag (~$1) or printed QR code (free) |
| Platform | iOS (Screen Time API) | iOS only (requires iOS 17.6+) |
Choose Accountable AI if...
- ✓You want verification that you actually completed work.
- ✓Blocking time alone hasn't made you productive.
- ✓You need accountability for results, not just app access.
Choose Foqos if...
- •You want a completely free solution.
- •Physical NFC/QR rituals help you stay mindful.
- •You just need to reduce mindless phone checking.
The Bottom Line
Foqos is genuinely excellent—the best free option for NFC-based phone blocking. If you just want to reduce mindless scrolling and physical friction helps, start with Foqos. But if you've tried blocking apps and still feel unproductive, the issue isn't the blocking method—it's the lack of accountability for actual output. Accountable AI costs $3.99/month but verifies you completed real work before unlocking. It's the difference between "I blocked my apps" and "I finished my task."
Real Users Who Switched from Foqos
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not guarantees of results. Results vary.
“Foqos is a great free app—I used it for months. But I realized I was just going through the motions: scan tag, sit in focus mode, scan again, scroll. Accountable AI made me actually finish things before I could scroll. That's the accountability I was missing.”
“I recommended Foqos to everyone because it's free and works well. But for me personally, I needed more than physical friction—I needed proof of completion. Accountable AI's AI verification is what finally made the difference.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Foqos vs Accountable AI
Should I try Foqos before Accountable AI?
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If you've never tried physical blocking, yes—Foqos is free and excellent. But if you've already tried NFC blockers (including Foqos) and still feel unproductive, the issue is likely the gap between "blocked time" and "productive time." That's what Accountable AI addresses.
Is Foqos really completely free?
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Yes. Foqos is 100% free and open source. No subscriptions, no premium tiers, no in-app purchases. The developer has publicly committed to keeping it free indefinitely.
What does Accountable AI offer that Foqos doesn't?
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Productivity verification. Foqos blocks apps until you scan a tag. Accountable AI blocks apps until you complete your task and submit proof that an AI verifies. It's the difference between blocking access and ensuring results.
Can I use Foqos and Accountable AI together?
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Technically yes, but they serve different purposes. Foqos adds physical friction to app access. Accountable AI adds goal-completion requirements. Most users find one approach resonates more with their brain—test both and see which creates real behavior change.
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