Comparison

TBScan vs NFC Tap

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TBScan

Easily discover and log geocaching trackables using your device's camera. Scan codes instantly to identify trackables, view their missions, and log them without manual typing. Perfect for events and finding trackables in caches.

Highlights
  • Quick trackable code recognition
  • Discover multiple trackables simultaneously
  • Offline functionality
  • View trackable missions
  • Attach photos to logs
  • Multiple log modes
Read full description

It has never been easier to discover Trackables. TBScan is a new and revolutionary iPhone app for every Geocacher. What many Geocachers have been dreaming about is now reality: With TBScan you can discover and log TBs and Coins without having to type the tracking code. As soon as you point your camera at the code it will instantly get recognised: It’s that easy! TBScan is perfect for events: Where you previously had to first write down every single tracking code on a piece of paper only to later manually key in every single one, you can now scan the trackables lightning-fast and discover them all at the same time. With the help of TBScan you can discover up to 10 trackables per minute. What is more, TBScan is a great helper when you encounter a Trackable in a cache. Quickly scan the code and you will see the mission of the TB or coin. Finally, if you want to take that Trackable on your journey you can also directly log it. Features: • Quick recognition of Trackable codes • Discover multiple Trackables at once • Works without an Internet connection • Check Trackable mission • Attach pictures to trackable logs • Different Log-Modes (Retrieve, Discover, Write Note, Grab) • Log templates • Trackable inventory • Select codes for individual logs • Scan Trackables from your photo library • Export Trackables codes • Geocaching API access

About

NFC Tap

This app allows users to read and write NFC tags, supporting various tag types and NDEF message formats. It enables quick actions like connecting to Wi-Fi, pairing Bluetooth devices, opening URLs, and initiating calls or messages directly from NFC tags.

Highlights
  • Read/Write NFC tags
  • Support ST25 Type5 & Type4A tags
  • Read/Write NDEF Messages (URL, Text, SMS, etc.)
  • Connect to Wi-Fi devices
  • Pair Bluetooth devices
  • Initiate calls, SMS, and emails
  • Control ISO15693 commands
Features
Read full description

The NFC Tap iOS App leverages on the NFC core feature of iOS supporting the read an write of NFC tags from iPhone 7 and later devices. It gives users a new experience based on the tag's NDEF content, making it easier and faster to perform recorded actions as described below. Main Features: • Support every STMicroelectronics ST25 Type5 & Type4A series tags. • App Clip based on URL https://www.myst25.com/clip • Read/Write user memory for Type5 tags. This allows user to read, write or update the content of any Type5 tags. • ISO15693/NFC Type5 commands list User Interface. This allows user to manage all ISO15693 commands. • ISO15693/NFC Type5 custom commands list User Interface • Fast Transfer Mode using STMicroelectronics ST25DV-I2C and ST25DVC tags. • PWM Control user interface for STMicroelectronics ST25DV-PWM tags. • Read/Write any kinds of NDEF Messages, NFC Forum compliant (URL, Text, SMS, email, Call, Map, VCard, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi®, Mime and Externals) • Universal Link with URL : https://www.myst25.com • Custom App URL Scheme “nfctap://”: - This allows user to open our iOS app from any other iOS app or from the safari browser using the custom URL scheme “nfctap://” In Details, the App features several functions enabled by the NFC tag content: - Connect to Wifi devices identified by its SSID, Key password and encryption type. - Connect to Bluetooth devices: Facilitates the pairing with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices. After tapping a tag with the phone, the NFC Tap iOS App will recognize any Bluetooth pairing NDEF record and connect the phone directly to the specified device. - Open a URL in a browser: Opens a web page to the URL contained in the tag's NDEF record. - Get contact information: Displays and saves contact information (including ID picture) by tapping a tag containing a business card(vCard) message. - Geolocalize a position: Opens Apple Maps to the GPS location stored in the tag being tapped. - Initiate an SMS or Email: Opens the relevant email or SMS application with information contained in the tag being tapped. The user can then choose to send the email/SMS or edit it before sending. Use cases include, but are not limited to, customer service information for warranty or loyalty programs. - Initiate a phone call: Opens the phone service to the number contained in the tag's NDEF message. - Read a Text: Displays the text message contained in the tag being tapped. - Mime NDEF exemples: MimeType = application/pdf / MimeData = userManual.pdf - External NDEF exemples: application = video ; type = mpeg ; Data = video.mov Additionally, the NFC Tap App application include Bluetooth pairing with a ST25DV discovery board.

Screenshots

TBScan3 screens
NFC Tap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TBScan at 4.8 against NFC Tap's 4.2. TBScan also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). NFC Tap's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TBScan sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NFC Tap asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TBScan holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 222 and 231 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of TBScan's written reviews are positive against 54% of NFC Tap's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TBScan ships an update every 3 months, NFC Tap every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
TBScan versus NFC Tap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTBScanNFC Tap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (222 ratings) — better4.2 (231 ratings)
Positive reviews84.1% of reviews — better53.8% of reviews
Number of ratings222231 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicolas CamenischSTMicroelectronics

Customer experience

TBScan

All ratings222 ratings
Positive97.7%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews107 reviews
Positive84.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative13.1%

NFC Tap

All ratings231 ratings
Positive78.8%
Neutral6.5%
Negative14.7%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive53.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative42.3%

Bugs and requests

TBScan

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

NFC Tap

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Unable to write to tags
  • Error indicating need to read tag first
  • No longer works
  • Cannot read, edit, or write back memory to 15693 tag
  • Crashing when scanning NXP Mifare
Show 7 more
  • Error message: 'need to read a card on the main screen'
  • App closes when scanning NXP Mifare
  • Password protection bug on iOS (cannot enter password)
  • CCFile Error with Type 5 chips on iPhone
  • Required to scan tag before reading/writing memory
  • Throws an error for CCFile
  • Unable to read ST25 chips on iPhone

Requested features

6 requests
  • Display NDEF record in HEX
  • Fix password protection bug on iOS
  • Allow importing bin files
  • Improve user-friendliness for beginners
  • Connect Digimon Vital Bracelet with VB Lab
Show 1 more
  • Remove automatic tag scan prompt on app open

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TBScan

One-time1
  • TBScan Pro$2.99
None

NFC Tap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TBScan free?
TBScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NFC Tap free?
NFC Tap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TBScan or NFC Tap?
TBScan is rated higher. TBScan averages 4.8 out of 5 from 222 ratings, while NFC Tap averages 4.2 from 231 ratings.
Do TBScan or NFC Tap have ads?
Neither TBScan nor NFC Tap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TBScan or NFC Tap?
TBScan ships an update every 3 months, and NFC Tap every 2 months. Most recently, TBScan was updated on October 15, 2026 and NFC Tap on October 14, 2026.

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