NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader vs Simply NFC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader
This app allows you to read and write NFC tags, scan and create QR codes, digitize documents, and capture 3D models. It offers advanced NFC tools like encryption and batch operations, alongside a versatile QR code scanner and document scanner with OCR.
- Read and write NFC tags
- Scan and create QR codes
- Digitize documents with OCR
- Capture 3D models and room scans
- Advanced NFC tools (encryption, batch operations)
- Customizable QR codes with logos
- Automation and integration with iOS Shortcuts
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Read and write NFC tags, scan and create QR codes, digitize documents, and capture 3D models - all in one app trusted by over 9 million users. NFC READING & WRITING Read any NFC tag to see web links, Wi-Fi, contacts, locations, payment links, and more. Write your own tags with 25+ message types (text, contacts, Wi-Fi, locations, calendar events, iOS Shortcuts, FaceTime, SMS, email, social media, payments, and Google Review links) that open apps, trigger shortcuts, or connect to services like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Spotify. NFC Tools: • Format, lock, password protect, analyze, and copy tags • NTAG 424 DNA: read secure tags, verify SUN tamper-proof messages, configure keys and SDM • NFC Tap Counter: teach NFC tags how to count • Batch Operations: write multiple tags sequentially, import from CSV/Excel • Custom Commands: send raw hex commands for advanced tag manipulation NFC Apps: • Passport & ID: read your passport or ID chip to view the stored personal data and photo • Sonicare Reset: read your Philips Sonicare brush head usage stats and reset its timer • Amiibo: scan to reveal the character with official artwork, build your collection, and back it up • OpenPrintTag: store 3D printing filament info on spools for automatic material detection • NFC Safe: store encrypted secrets on tags with 256-bit AES encryption QR CODE & BARCODE SCANNER • Scan any QR code or barcode with batch mode, plus a share extension to detect codes in your photos. • Create custom QR codes for all the same message types as NFC. • Design them with your own colors, logos, and Genmoji, and add them to home screen widgets. Supported formats: QR, Aztec, Code128, PDF417, DataMatrix, EAN, and 15+ other barcode types. DOCUMENT SCANNER • Capture documents with automatic edge detection and on-device OCR. • Import images from your photo library or files. • Save as searchable PDFs with full-text search. • Export to iCloud or share directly. 3D OBJECT & ROOM SCANNER • Scan objects into 3D models using photogrammetry. • Scan rooms with LiDAR to generate floor plans, detecting doors, windows, and furniture. • Measure dimensions and calculate floor area. • Export for 3D printing and CAD applications. Requires: iPhone with LiDAR sensor (iPhone 12 Pro and newer) AUTOMATION & INTEGRATION • Webhooks: send scan data to your server for inventory or custom integrations • iOS Shortcuts: launch scans via Siri, access scan history, write tags through automation • Widgets: quick-launch scanning from home screen, lock screen, or Control Center • Auto-Actions: open links, run shortcuts, play audio, or trigger text-to-speech when scanning tags CUSTOMIZATION Choose from multiple themes and icons, text-to-speech voices in 40+ languages, and Game Center achievements. Note: NFC functionality requires iPhone 7 or newer. iPhones read NFC but not all RFID frequencies. NFC.cool is in no way affiliated with Nintendo or Philips. Amiibo is a registered trademark by Nintendo and Sonicare is a registered trademark by Philips. These functions in NFC.cool are for educational purposes only. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Simply NFC
Easily read and write to NFC tags using your phone. This app supports various tag types including text, URLs, contacts, and HomeKit scenes. It also offers accessibility features, Siri Shortcuts, widgets, and iMessage extensions for convenient tag management and automation.
- Read and write NFC tags
- Supports text, URL, vCard, SMS, email, phone, app launch, custom URI, location, HomeKit, and Wi-Fi tags
- Trigger HomeKit scenes
- VoiceOver accessibility
- Siri Shortcuts integration
- Widget and iMessage extension
- Export scanned history
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Simply NFC is a powerful, accessible, and easy-to-use NFC reader and writer for iPhone. Scan NFC tags instantly, create programmable tags, trigger HomeKit scenes, automate workflows, and create spoken text tags for visually impaired users, all without external hardware. Built with accessibility in mind: * Full VoiceOver support throughout the app * Spoken text tags that read aloud when scanned * Great for labeling household items, storage, medication, equipment, and more * Accessible scanning and writing workflows for blind and visually impaired users Features: * Scan NFC tags instantly * Read raw tag information * Save scan history automatically * Multi-tag scanning * Apple Watch remote scanning support Write and program NFC tags directly from your iPhone: * Text tags * Text-to-Voice tags * URL tags * HomeKit scene tags * Wi-Fi setup tags * Contact cards (vCard) * Email, SMS, phone, and FaceTime tags * Custom URI and app-launch tags * Location tags Advanced NFC features: * Import tag records * Configure write passwords * Edit and rewrite compatible tags * Export history as CSV or tab-delimited text * Integrate scans with your own web services HomeKit support: * Trigger HomeKit scenes from NFC tags * Background NFC support on compatible devices * Great for smart home and accessibility automations Siri Shortcuts and integrations: * Start scanning with Siri * Launch single or multi-scan modes * iMessage extension for sharing scan history Developer features: * URI scheme support: simplynfc://reader simplynfc://scan simplynfc://multiscan simplynfc://writer * Callback support for apps and websites * Send scanned tag data directly to your server * Build NFC workflows into your own apps and services Simply tap “Read NFC” and hold your iPhone near a tag. It’s that simple. Simply NFC is designed for beginners, power users, accessibility needs, smart homes, inventory systems, and NFC development workflows. We love hearing from our customers, so feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, issues, bugs, suggestions, or feature requests. We are always looking for ways to improve Simply NFC.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Simply NFC at none against NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader's shown. NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (6.7K vs 183). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.cool Tools Tag Reader sells 26 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Simply NFC sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader has 6.7K ratings behind it against 183, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader's written reviews are positive against 47% of Simply NFC's.
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader ships an update every 11 days, Simply NFC fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader | Simply NFC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (6.7K ratings) — better | 4.1 (183 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.9% of reviews — better | 47.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6.7K — better | 183 |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 102 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nicolo Stanciu | Lakeside Llama LLC |
Customer experience
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader
Simply NFC
User reviews
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader
From 6.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💯 Excellent app
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 User-friendly
- 🔥 Awesome features
- 🎉 Great tool
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 📢 Too many ads
- 🚫 Doesn't work on older devices
- 🤔 Confusing interface
Simply NFC
From 183 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Simplicity and minimalism
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Decent design for a utility app
- 👍 Works well for simple things like URLs
- 👍 Good for understanding NFC chips
Room to improve
- 🐛 Wifi option does not work
- 🐛 Wifi record doesn't work
- 🐛 Not all functions available in free version
- 🐛 Paid version has limited URL schemes
- 🐛 Does not read certain NFC tags (e.g., Mifare ultralight)
Bugs and requests
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader
Reported bugs
4 issues- Unable to read certain NFC tags
- App freezes during NFC operations
- Compatibility issues with iOS 13 and newer
- Inconsistent behavior when writing tags
Requested features
5 requests- Add ability to clear/erase NFC tags
- Integrate with Shortcuts app
- Offline mode for writing NFC tags
- Add support for RFID tags
- Improve instructions and documentation
Simply NFC
Reported bugs
13 issues- Wifi joining option fails
- Phone does nothing when tapping Wifi tag
- App stops telling device to speak loudly after a few scans
- App does not read tags at all
- NFC tag not read after 5 minutes
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Fails with different brand NFC tags
- Privacy policy not updated
- Error connecting or too much information when writing tags
- HomeKit scenes do not work, redirect to developer's website with 404 error
- White buttons on white background (visibility issue)
- Pro version not working for some users
- Restore purchase feature does not work
- App states it won't work with specific iPhone models despite being listed as compatible
Requested features
9 requests- Improve Wifi tag support
- Fix issue with 'speak loudly' feature stopping
- Preview Pro upgrade records
- Allow custom URL schemes in URI Record
- Long term tag save area for review, edit, and rewrite
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- Add more languages (e.g., Russian)
- Improve VoiceOver support for tag selection and reading results
- Support writing HomeKit enabled tags on iPhone
- Add dark mode option for better visibility
In-app purchases
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader
- Unlimited Monthly Special$1.991 Month
- Business Cards Service Monthly3 Days trial$2.491 Month
- Unlimited 3DT Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
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- NFC.cool Scanner Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- UnlimitedPro3DT Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Platinum Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Ultra3DT Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Unlimited3DT Weekly$6.997 Days
- Mini3DT Yearly3 Days trial$17.491 Year
- Mini7DT Yearly7 Days trial$17.491 Year
- Unlimited Yearly Special$19.001 Year
- Business Cards Service Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Unlimited 3DT Yearly3 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Unlimited7DT Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
- NFC.cool Scanner Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
- UnlimitedPro7DT Yearly7 Days trial$34.991 Year
- UnlimitedPro3DT Yearly3 Days trial$34.991 Year
- Ultra3DT Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Ultra7DT Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Business Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Donut$0.99
- Rainbow Dark Mode$0.99
- Unlimited QR-Code Widgets$3.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Speech Synthesizer$3.99
- Ad-free$6.99
- Unlimited Lifetime$49.99
Simply NFC
- Pro Version$4.99
Questions
Is NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader free?
Is Simply NFC free?
Which has better reviews, NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader or Simply NFC?
Do NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader or Simply NFC have ads?
Which is updated more often, NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader or Simply NFC?
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