TBScan vs Smart NFC Tools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Quick trackable code recognition
- Discover multiple trackables simultaneously
- Offline functionality
- View trackable missions
- Attach photos to logs
- Multiple log modes
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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
Smart NFC Tools
Easily read, inspect, and modify NFC tags with this intuitive tool. Write to tags in various formats to trigger actions like opening websites or making calls. Prioritizes user privacy by operating entirely offline.
- Read NFC tag content
- Inspect and modify NFC tags
- Erase, lock, and copy tags
- Write NFC tags in various formats
- Trigger phone calls or open websites
- 100% offline operation
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Smart NFC Tools is the most accessible and easy to use NFC Reader and Writer for mobile devices! With a simple user interface and powerful tools you can interact with NDEF-Formatted NFC cards without any external hardware! - Read, Inspect and modify: Read a tag by touching the back of your device against it and Smart NFC Tools will show you a full report on the tag's content and give you options such as erase, lock and copy. It's super easy! - Write in many formats: Smart NFC Tools enables you to write NFC tags in popular formats that allow for custom interactions such as opening a website or triggering a phone call just by touching the tag with a compatible device! - Note about privacy: Smart NFC Tools works 100% offline, without any personal or content data being sent to an external server or third party server. Your privacy is our priority! Embrace the world of NFC technologies using your phone or tablet! Smart NFC Tools is now available for all iOS devices!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: TBScan at 84% against Smart NFC Tools's 30%. TBScan also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). Smart NFC Tools's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. TBScan sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Smart NFC Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
TBScan holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 222 and 476 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of TBScan's written reviews are positive against 30% of Smart NFC Tools's.
TBScan ships an update every 3 months, Smart NFC Tools weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TBScan | Smart NFC Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (222 ratings) — better | 4.6 (476 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 84.1% of reviews — better | 30.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 222 | 476 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nicolas Camenisch | Arthur Eduardo Skaetta Alvarez Desenvolvimento de Software LTDA. |
Customer experience
TBScan
Smart NFC Tools
Bugs and requests
TBScan
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Smart NFC Tools
Reported bugs
6 issues- Doesn't work to save contact card
- App glitches
- Doesn't work to read card and fob
- Paid for unlock, but restore doesn't work after iOS update
- Paid for ability to lock tags, but feature does not work
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- App not working after 15 minutes, even after purchase
Requested features
2 requests- Add social media to chips
- Ability to add multiple items to card after paying
In-app purchases
TBScan
- TBScan Pro$2.99
Smart NFC Tools
- NFC Tools Premium$1.99
Questions
Is TBScan free?
Is Smart NFC Tools free?
Which has better reviews, TBScan or Smart NFC Tools?
Do TBScan or Smart NFC Tools have ads?
Which is updated more often, TBScan or Smart NFC Tools?
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