# NFC Scanner vs Smart NFC Tools

The clearest difference is rating: Smart NFC Tools at 4.6 against NFC Scanner's 1.8. Smart NFC Tools also leads on review sentiment (30% vs 10%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks). NFC Scanner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Smart NFC Tools holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart NFC Tools has 477 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 10% of NFC Scanner's written reviews are positive against 30% of Smart NFC Tools's.

NFC Scanner ships an update every 4 weeks, Smart NFC Tools weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NFC Scanner | Smart NFC Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-scanner/id1245321879/reviews) | **[4.6 (477 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-nfc-tools-read-and-write/id1527587931/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **477** |
| Positive reviews | 10.0% of reviews | **30.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wander Bit LLC - Photo & Video Editor Apps and More](https://appshunter.io/developer/649030066) | [Arthur Eduardo Skaetta Alvarez Desenvolvimento de Software LTDA.](https://appshunter.io/developer/867175889) |

## 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


### Smart NFC Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-nfc-tools-read-and-write/id1527587931)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NFC Tools Premium | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💰 Reasonable price
- 🚀 Works great
- 👍 Very practical
- 👍 Excellent app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Does not work
- 👎 Waste of money
- 👎 Free version limited
- 👎 Scam and money taken
- 👎 Paid and no function

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Add social media to chips
- Ability to add multiple items to card after paying


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NFC Scanner free?

NFC Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smart NFC Tools free?

Smart NFC Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NFC Scanner or Smart NFC Tools?

Smart NFC Tools is rated higher. NFC Scanner averages 1.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Smart NFC Tools averages 4.6 from 477 ratings.

### Do NFC Scanner or Smart NFC Tools have ads?

Neither NFC Scanner nor Smart NFC Tools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NFC Scanner or Smart NFC Tools?

NFC Scanner ships an update every 4 weeks, and Smart NFC Tools weekly. Most recently, NFC Scanner was updated on September 25, 2026 and Smart NFC Tools on October 1, 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.*