RFID Scout vs Simply NFC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RFID Scout
This utility app connects to specific Bluetooth RFID readers to perform inventory, identify tag models, conduct audits by validating tag information against product data, and locate RFID tags by showing relative distance.
- Simplified RFID Inventory
- RFID Tag Model Identification
- RFID Audits with Product Validation
- RFID Tag Location
- Export data to CSV
- Online Dashboard Access
Read full descriptionHide full description
RFID Scout works with Zebra RFD8500 RFID / TSL® 1128 Bluetooth® Handheld UHF RFID Reader and can, 1. Perform simplified RFID Inventory 2 .Assist in the Identification of RFID Tag Models 3 .Conduct RFID Audits by validating the RFID tag against product information 4. Locate RFID tag RFID Inventory - RFID Scout can be used to perform RFID inventory (or cycle counts). The RFID inventory data can be exported as a CSV file or can be accessed from an online dashboard. RFID Tag Identifier - Assist in the identification of RFID tag model by narrowing down the list of potential tags based on the information from the RFID tag. RFID Audits - The app can be used to conduct RFID audits which validates the information from the RFID tag against the product information. The dashboard provides a detailed audit report with the issues observed during the audit. Tag Range - The app can be used to locate RFID tag. Given the pattern of the tag, app shows the tag's relative distance in percentage The apps needs to be connected to a Zebra RFD8500 RFID / TSL® 1128 Bluetooth® Handheld UHF RFID reader through Bluetooth to read RFID tags. Dashboard url is https://rfidscout.dataqtechnologies.com
Simply NFC
Easily read and write to NFC tags using your phone. This app supports various tag types including text, URLs, contacts, and HomeKit scenes. It also offers accessibility features, Siri Shortcuts, widgets, and iMessage extensions for convenient tag management and automation.
- Read and write NFC tags
- Supports text, URL, vCard, SMS, email, phone, app launch, custom URI, location, HomeKit, and Wi-Fi tags
- Trigger HomeKit scenes
- VoiceOver accessibility
- Siri Shortcuts integration
- Widget and iMessage extension
- Export scanned history
Read full descriptionHide full description
Simply NFC is a powerful, accessible, and easy-to-use NFC reader and writer for iPhone. Scan NFC tags instantly, create programmable tags, trigger HomeKit scenes, automate workflows, and create spoken text tags for visually impaired users, all without external hardware. Built with accessibility in mind: * Full VoiceOver support throughout the app * Spoken text tags that read aloud when scanned * Great for labeling household items, storage, medication, equipment, and more * Accessible scanning and writing workflows for blind and visually impaired users Features: * Scan NFC tags instantly * Read raw tag information * Save scan history automatically * Multi-tag scanning * Apple Watch remote scanning support Write and program NFC tags directly from your iPhone: * Text tags * Text-to-Voice tags * URL tags * HomeKit scene tags * Wi-Fi setup tags * Contact cards (vCard) * Email, SMS, phone, and FaceTime tags * Custom URI and app-launch tags * Location tags Advanced NFC features: * Import tag records * Configure write passwords * Edit and rewrite compatible tags * Export history as CSV or tab-delimited text * Integrate scans with your own web services HomeKit support: * Trigger HomeKit scenes from NFC tags * Background NFC support on compatible devices * Great for smart home and accessibility automations Siri Shortcuts and integrations: * Start scanning with Siri * Launch single or multi-scan modes * iMessage extension for sharing scan history Developer features: * URI scheme support: simplynfc://reader simplynfc://scan simplynfc://multiscan simplynfc://writer * Callback support for apps and websites * Send scanned tag data directly to your server * Build NFC workflows into your own apps and services Simply tap “Read NFC” and hold your iPhone near a tag. It’s that simple. Simply NFC is designed for beginners, power users, accessibility needs, smart homes, inventory systems, and NFC development workflows. We love hearing from our customers, so feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, issues, bugs, suggestions, or feature requests. We are always looking for ways to improve Simply NFC.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Simply NFC at 4.1 against RFID Scout's 2.2. Simply NFC also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (47% vs 25%). RFID Scout's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Simply NFC sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RFID Scout asks for nothing beyond the download.
Simply NFC holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simply NFC has 187 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of RFID Scout's written reviews are positive against 47% of Simply NFC's.
RFID Scout ships an update every 3 months, Simply NFC fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RFID Scout | Simply NFC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (26 ratings) | 4.1 (187 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 47.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 26 | 187 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 45 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Senthil Kumar | Lakeside Llama LLC |
Customer experience
RFID Scout
Simply NFC
Bugs and requests
RFID Scout
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Simply NFC
Reported bugs
13 issues- Wifi joining option fails
- Phone does nothing when tapping Wifi tag
- App stops telling device to speak loudly after a few scans
- App does not read tags at all
- NFC tag not read after 5 minutes
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Fails with different brand NFC tags
- Privacy policy not updated
- Error connecting or too much information when writing tags
- HomeKit scenes do not work, redirect to developer's website with 404 error
- White buttons on white background (visibility issue)
- Pro version not working for some users
- Restore purchase feature does not work
- App states it won't work with specific iPhone models despite being listed as compatible
Requested features
9 requests- Improve Wifi tag support
- Fix issue with 'speak loudly' feature stopping
- Preview Pro upgrade records
- Allow custom URL schemes in URI Record
- Long term tag save area for review, edit, and rewrite
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Add more languages (e.g., Russian)
- Improve VoiceOver support for tag selection and reading results
- Support writing HomeKit enabled tags on iPhone
- Add dark mode option for better visibility
In-app purchases
RFID Scout
No in-app purchases
Simply NFC
- Pro Version$4.99









