# SerialMagic Keys vs ACI Automate

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ACI Automate at none against SerialMagic Keys's 9. ACI Automate also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). SerialMagic Keys's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SerialMagic Keys sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. ACI Automate asks for nothing beyond the download.

SerialMagic Keys ships an update monthly, ACI Automate every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SerialMagic Keys | ACI Automate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 12 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Serialio Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/333178140) | [Vasant Kumar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1782637312) |

## What reviewers say

### SerialMagic Keys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/serialmagic-keys/id1122825214)

This app enables wireless RFID GEN2 UHF, NFC, and barcode readers, along with other devices, to send data directly into iOS applications. It supports a wide range of Bluetooth scanners and sensors, making it ideal for inventory, asset tracking, and data collection tasks.

**Highlights:** Connects wireless RFID GEN2 UHF, NFC, and barcode readers, Integrates with sensors, scales, and other wireless devices, Sends data directly into iOS apps, Supports a wide range of Bluetooth scanner models, Enables data input for inventory, asset tracking, and more, Reads and writes NDEF data, Simulates keyboard input for data posting

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Enable RFID-NFC User Data Reading & Writing | $19.99 | one-time |
| Built-in NFC reading | $19.99 | one-time |
| Allow Special Key(s) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Enable Data Handling | $24.99 | one-time |
| More supported scanners | $29.99 | one-time |
| Laser Measurer support | $49.99 | one-time |
| S3 Scale Head support | $79.99 | one-time |
| PosiTector 6000 support | $89.99 | one-time |
| Advanced Posting Mode | $99.99 | one-time |


### ACI Automate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aci-automate/id6744361792)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SerialMagic Keys free?

SerialMagic Keys is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ACI Automate free?

ACI Automate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do SerialMagic Keys or ACI Automate have ads?

ACI Automate shows ads; SerialMagic Keys does not.

### Which is updated more often, SerialMagic Keys or ACI Automate?

SerialMagic Keys ships an update monthly, and ACI Automate every 3 weeks. Most recently, SerialMagic Keys was updated on October 1, 2026 and ACI Automate on October 7, 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.*