NFC Scanner vs NFC Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Read NFC tags on iOS
- Scan history
- Automatic scanning option
- Multi-record tag support
- One-hand optimized UI
- Open links from app
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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!
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. NFC Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NFC Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | NFC Scanner | NFC Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.8 (16 ratings) | 3.7 (43 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 10.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 43 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Wander Bit LLC - Photo & Video Editor Apps and More | Julien Millau |
Customer experience
NFC Scanner
NFC Reader
In-app purchases
NFC Scanner
No in-app purchases
NFC Reader
- Remove Ads$1.99








