Starting with Minifigures Series 25, the LEGO® Group added data matrix codes to Minifigure blind boxes. This allowed collectors to identify what was in their boxes, facilitating collecting a whole series. I became a proponent of the Brick Search app because I could easily scan boxes and figure out what was inside. All of that changed on a recent trip to the LEGO® Store when I learned the app was no longer completely free to use. So, I found a Brick Search alternative that is free.
Let me begin by saying I suffer from subscription fatigue. It feels like everything requires its own subscription these days. I am fed up with managing them all. I am especially fed up of apps starting off free to lure you in, then changing to a subscription. Brick Search’s choice to go to a subscription model was a poor one. I don’t need this app. It is a convenience for my hobby, and my hobby is expensive enough as it is.
Brick Search now only allows 12 free scans… which is kind of useless.
So, what brought on this little rant? Well, I was at the LEGO® Store recently for the sale on Dungeons and Dragons Minifigures, as well as for double points. I pulled out my trusty Brick Search app and started scanning. After a measly 12 boxes, the scan function stopped working. It asked me to upgrade for an annual fee. I was not amused. 12 free scans is not even enough to find a whole set. No one gets all 12 characters by only scanning 12 boxes. And it isn’t even 12 scans per day, it is 12 scans TOTAL. I opened the app the next day and it still would not let me scan more.
Needless to say, I am done with Brick Search. I use the app a few times a year when a new Minifigures series comes out. I am not paying $36 a year to use an app five or six times in that period. $36 buys half a Minifigure series! While their other features are interesting, there are free alternatives to those too.
Minifig Scan does the job well… and free.
At the LEGO® Store, I downloaded a Brick Search alternative called Minifig Scan. It works just as well as Brick Search for identifying Minifigures, but it doesn’t limit the number of scans. In terms of comparison, Minifig Scan lacks a little of Brick Search’s finesse. For example, opening the app to a tutorial page is not visually appealing. Maybe they will tweak the app in future updates.
Otherwise, Minifig scan does what I need it to do. I point it at a data matrix code, and the app visually shows me what is inside. It displays a picture over the code initially, but also keeps the identified character at the bottom of the screen once that initial image vanishes. At the bottom of the screen, you can keep track of how many of each character you have. The app also has checklist pages for each scannable series so you can track which characters you have found and how many you have. Since I often buy multiples of a character and don’t always open them until I need them, that is handy… and free.
As of now, Brick Search is no longer on my phone. They lost me at subscription. Minifig Scan is a Brick Search alternative that is free (for now). I don’t want to pay for a subscription to a hobby app I use a handful of times a year. So, hopefully Minifig Scan stays free. How do you feel? Will you pay for a Brick Search subscription? Do you think the app is worth it? Let me know in the comments or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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12 responses to “Brick Search Alternative that is FREE”
After reading this I went to check out the Brick Fanatics website to find that this is their app and they had an article up saying why there app was so good and worth the subscription fee.
Of course they will try to sell their app. I remain unswayed. Paying the subscription or not is a personal decision for everyone. My goal is just to point out there is a good, free alternative out there.
I was using a data matrix (QR) code app and a hand written list on minifigures from the latest series for minifigure searches. While visiting Toys”R”Us about a month ago; there was an individual that was using the Brick Search app and showed it to me on his IPhone (I wasn’t looking for minifigures at the time). I didn’t have my IPhone with me so downloaded the app at a later time. I tried using it at Toys’R’Us the next time I visited. There were no Dungeon and Dragon minifigures left but there were Series 26 minifures in a couple of boxes; so I started scanning them and suddenly reached the 12 scan max. THAT MADE ME SO MADE. I went back to using a list and the DM codes in my searches. I kept thinking about it and a couple days ago I downloaded the OMGBRICKS app. I tried it on some unopened fig boxes that I have and it worked perfectly.
Tom, thanks for bringing up this subject.
The more people that know about it; the better.
Cheers. Cobra
I try to help where I can 😁. Great to know there’s another free app out there to try.
Totally agree and thanks for providing an alternative. If they’d asked for say £5 for permanent use I wouldn’t have minded. I get that they spend their time creating this app but subscription is not appropriate. They tried to soften the blow by giving a voucher that can be used at the Minifigure store(in the UK at least) but that’s a shop that specialises in charging extra for minifigures (and other no longer available sets) so seems counterintuitive.
If you don’t mind me mentioning other Lego sites then Jay’s Brick Blog also has an online scanner on his website.
I probably would have paid $5 or so for permanent use as well.
aside from lego stores, i cant seem to find a place that has dungeons and dragons minifigs. i went to chapters, but they placed price stickers onto the qr code.
so i didnt buy any. i just went to brick link and paid more to get it from someone.
I have seen them at Toys R Us… But not all locations
It can be a good idea to give a small amount to the developer of Minifig Scan. It doesn’t ask for much. The donation start 2,99 CAD. This small gesture can encourage him to keep the app subscription free.
For sure!
Oh was I mad too when I discovered this while scanning at Renaud Bray. Like you I erased the app. On the spot I used another site: Falcon Bricks but I will definitely try Minifig Scan next time.
It’s not fun to be slapped with extra fees when you’re not expecting it. Especially for a hobby.