Comparison

NFC Scanner vs NFC Reader

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

Head to head
About

NFC Scanner

Easily read NFC tags on your iPhone or iPod. This utility app provides a history of scanned tags, supports multi-record tags, and allows you to open links directly from within the application. It's designed for quick, one-handed use.

Highlights
  • Read NFC tags on iOS
  • Scan history
  • Automatic scanning option
  • Multi-record tag support
  • One-hand optimized UI
  • Open links from app
Read full description

Read NFC Tags for the first time on iOS! NFC Scanner features: - A history of the tags you scanned - Optional automatic scanning when the app is launched for quick tag reading. - Support for multi-record tags - User interface optimized for one-hand use - Open links from right within the app + more coming soon!

About

NFC Reader

Instantly read NFC and RFID tags without an account or internet connection. It supports various tag types, including business cards, Wi-Fi credentials, and location data, with features like multi-scan and a detailed history.

Highlights
  • Read NFC/RFID tags instantly
  • Offline functionality
  • Supports multiple tag types (vCard, Wi-Fi, URL)
  • Scan history and multi-scan
  • Hexadecimal data view
  • Share tag content
  • Privacy-focused, no account needed
Read full description

Hold your iPhone near any NFC or RFID tag and instantly read its content. No account. No setup. Works offline. REAL-WORLD USE CASES • Tap a business card tag → contact imported directly into your address book • Tap a WiFi tag → connected instantly, no password typing • Tap a product tag → URL opens in your browser automatically • Tap a door or badge tag → phone number dialed or email drafted in one step • Tap a location tag → map opens with the exact coordinates • Tap a NFC label on equipment → log and track your assets • Tap an unknown tag → raw content and hex data displayed for technical analysis SUPPORTED TAG TYPES • Text — view and copy raw text • URL & URI — open links instantly (http, ftp, file and other schemes) • vCard — import contacts with all fields prefilled • Phone — dial the stored number directly • Email — compose a message with subject and body prefilled • SMS — open Messages with recipient and text prefilled • WiFi — connect to a network automatically, including open networks • Location — view coordinates on a map • Smart Poster — display title and URL from composite tags • FeliCa — read IDm and system code from FeliCa tags • MiFare — read identifier from MiFare tags (ISO 14443, ISO 15693, ISO 18092) • RFID — compatible with a wide range of RFID tags and transponders KEY FEATURES • Multi-Scan — scan multiple tags in one session and review all results at once • Scan History — every tag saved automatically with date and type • Hex View — inspect the raw tag payload in hexadecimal • Share — export tag content via any app on your device • In-App Browser — open URLs without leaving the app • Privacy First — no account required, no data sent to any server • Dark Mode — full support for iOS dark mode

Screenshots

NFC Scanner4 screens
NFC Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NFC Reader at 3.7 against NFC Scanner's 1.8. NFC Scanner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NFC Reader holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 43 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 10% of NFC Scanner's written reviews are positive against 0% of NFC Reader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC Scanner ships an update every 4 weeks, NFC Reader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and July 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
NFC Scanner versus NFC Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC ScannerNFC Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (16 ratings)3.7 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews10.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1643 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB9 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperWander Bit LLC - Photo & Video Editor Apps and MoreJulien Millau

Customer experience

NFC Scanner

All ratings16 ratings
Positive18.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive10.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative70.0%

NFC Reader

All ratings42 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral4.8%
Negative31.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

NFC Scanner

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

NFC Reader

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$1.99

Questions

Is NFC Scanner free?
NFC Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NFC Reader free?
NFC Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NFC Scanner or NFC Reader?
NFC Reader is rated higher. NFC Scanner averages 1.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while NFC Reader averages 3.7 from 43 ratings.
Do NFC Scanner or NFC Reader have ads?
NFC Reader shows ads; NFC Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, NFC Scanner or NFC Reader?
NFC Scanner ships an update every 4 weeks, and NFC Reader every 2 months. Most recently, NFC Scanner was updated on September 25, 2026 and NFC Reader on July 7, 2026.

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