# NFC Scanner vs NFC Reader

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | NFC Scanner | NFC Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-scanner/id1245321879/reviews) | **[3.7 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-reader-tag-scanner/id1324286598/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **43** |
| Positive reviews | **10.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wander Bit LLC - Photo & Video Editor Apps and More](https://appshunter.io/developer/649030066) | [Julien Millau](https://appshunter.io/developer/1324286597) |

## What reviewers say

### NFC Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-scanner/id1245321879)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### NFC Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-reader-tag-scanner/id1324286598)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |


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