# TBScan vs NFC Tap

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.

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

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | TBScan | NFC Tap |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (222 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tbscan/id1122054655/reviews)** | [4.2 (231 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-tap/id1278913597/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 222 | **231** |
| Positive reviews | **84.1% of reviews** | 53.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 18 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nicolas Camenisch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1122054654) | [STMicroelectronics](https://appshunter.io/developer/1801774735) |

## What reviewers say

### TBScan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tbscan/id1122054655)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TBScan Pro | $2.99 | one-time |


### NFC Tap

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-tap/id1278913597)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💡 Handy for development
- 🚀 Works as intended (initially)
- 👍 Great color scheme
- 👍 Simple navigation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Does not work anymore
- 🐛 Unable to write to tags
- 🐛 Error messages
- 🐛 Not user friendly
- 🐛 Hard to navigate

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*