Unpluq Alternative
Best Unpluq Alternative for Procrastinators
From subscription hardware to goal-verified results.
Unpluq vs Accountable AI: Which Is Right for You?
Unpluq combines an NFC tag with a subscription app to create physical friction for phone addiction. The small tag clips to your keychain, and you tap it to block or unblock distracting apps. At $26.50 for the tag plus $64/year for Premium, it's positioned between free apps and expensive hardware like Brick.
What makes Unpluq unique is flexibility. Beyond NFC tapping, you can unlock by shaking your phone, scrolling patterns, tapping sequences, or walking around. This variety accommodates different preferences—but it also creates multiple bypass routes when willpower is low.
Unpluq claims users recover 78 minutes daily with the tag versus 54 minutes with app-only blocking. The offline functionality is genuinely useful for travel. But the core question remains: does physical friction translate to productivity?
Accountable AI takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of paying for hardware and subscriptions to add tap-to-unlock friction, it ties app access directly to task completion. No tag, no subscription hardware—just proof that you did the work. For users who've tried physical blockers and still feel unproductive, goal-based verification addresses the gap between "apps blocked" and "work done."
Keep Reading
If you want the science and strategies behind accountability, start here:
Common Unpluq Frustrations
If any of these sound familiar, Accountable AI might be a better fit:
- ✗Ongoing subscription ($64/year) on top of hardware cost
- ✗Multiple unlock methods become multiple bypass routes
- ✗Physical friction doesn't guarantee productive use of blocked time
- ✗Tag can be lost, forgotten, or left in inconvenient places
- ✗Blocking time ≠ productive time—no verification of actual work
| Feature | Accountable AI | Unpluq |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Model | $3.99/month, no hardware needed | $26.50 tag + $64/year subscription |
| Unblock Method | Complete task + submit verified proof | Tap NFC tag, shake phone, scroll pattern, or walk |
| Productivity Link | Direct: apps unlock when work is verified | Indirect: apps unlock when you perform physical action |
| Offline Support | Blocking works offline, verification needs connection | Full offline support once schedules saved |
| Platform | iOS (Screen Time API) | iOS and Android |
Choose Accountable AI if...
- ✓You want accountability for results, not just physical actions.
- ✓You don't want ongoing subscription costs for hardware.
- ✓Multiple unlock methods feel like too many escape routes.
Choose Unpluq if...
- •You travel frequently and need reliable offline blocking.
- •You want flexibility in how you unlock apps.
- •You need Android support.
The Bottom Line
Unpluq offers a flexible NFC-based blocking system with multiple unlock methods and solid offline support. The subscription model means ongoing costs, and the variety of bypass options can undermine strict accountability. Accountable AI costs less, requires no hardware, and creates a direct link between productivity and app access—you get your apps back when the work is done, not when you tap a tag or shake your phone.
Real Users Who Switched from Unpluq
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not guarantees of results. Results vary.
“Unpluq gave me too many ways out. Tap the tag, shake my phone, walk around—I'd find whichever bypass was easiest in the moment. Accountable AI has one way out: do the work. That's what I actually needed.”
“I was paying $64/year for Unpluq plus I lost the tag twice. Accountable AI costs less, needs no hardware, and actually makes me finish tasks instead of just blocking time. Better value all around.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Unpluq vs Accountable AI
Is Accountable AI cheaper than Unpluq?
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Yes. Unpluq costs $26.50 for the tag plus $64/year ($90.50 first year, $64/year ongoing). Accountable AI is $3.99/month ($48/year) with no hardware cost. You save money and don't need to carry a physical tag.
Does Unpluq verify that I actually did work?
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No. Unpluq verifies that you performed a physical action (tap, shake, walk) to unlock. It doesn't verify task completion. Accountable AI requires photo proof of your completed work, verified by AI.
Can I unlock Accountable AI by shaking my phone like Unpluq?
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No. Accountable AI has no physical bypass methods. The only way to unlock is to complete your goal and submit proof. This creates stronger accountability than physical unlock options.
Why switch from Unpluq to Accountable AI?
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Users switch when they realize physical unlock methods don't ensure productivity. You can tap the tag, "focus" while doing nothing, then tap again. Accountable AI ensures the block only ends when real work is verified.
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