Comparison

NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader vs NFC Tap

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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/

About

NFC Tap

This app allows users to read and write NFC tags, supporting various tag types and NDEF message formats. It enables quick actions like connecting to Wi-Fi, pairing Bluetooth devices, opening URLs, and initiating calls or messages directly from NFC tags.

Highlights
  • Read/Write NFC tags
  • Support ST25 Type5 & Type4A tags
  • Read/Write NDEF Messages (URL, Text, SMS, etc.)
  • Connect to Wi-Fi devices
  • Pair Bluetooth devices
  • Initiate calls, SMS, and emails
  • Control ISO15693 commands
Features
Read full description

The NFC Tap iOS App leverages on the new NFC core feature of iOS 17, supporting the read an write of NFC tags from iPhone 7 and later devices. It gives users a new experience based on the tag's NDEF content, making it easier and faster to perform recorded actions as described below. Main Features: • Support every STMicroelectronics ST25 Type5 & Type4A series tags. • App Clip based on URL https://www.myst25.com/clip • Read/Write user memory for Type5 tags. This allows user to read, write or update the content of any Type5 tags. • ISO15693/NFC Type5 commands list User Interface. This allows user to manage all ISO15693 commands. • ISO15693/NFC Type5 custom commands list User Interface • Fast Transfer Mode using STMicroelectronics ST25DV-I2C and ST25DVC tags. • PWM Control user interface for STMicroelectronics ST25DV-PWM tags. • Read/Write any kinds of NDEF Messages, NFC Forum compliant (URL, Text, SMS, email, Call, Map, VCard, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi®, Mime and Externals) • Universal Link with URL : https://www.myst25.com • Custom App URL Scheme “nfctap://”: - This allows user to open our iOS app from any other iOS app or from the safari browser using the custom URL scheme “nfctap://” In Details, the App features several functions enabled by the NFC tag content: - Connect to Wifi devices identified by its SSID, Key password and encryption type. - Connect to Bluetooth devices: Facilitates the pairing with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices. After tapping a tag with the phone, the NFC Tap iOS App will recognize any Bluetooth pairing NDEF record and connect the phone directly to the specified device. - Open a URL in a browser: Opens a web page to the URL contained in the tag's NDEF record. - Get contact information: Displays and saves contact information (including ID picture) by tapping a tag containing a business card(vCard) message. - Geolocalize a position: Opens Apple Maps to the GPS location stored in the tag being tapped. - Initiate an SMS or Email: Opens the relevant email or SMS application with information contained in the tag being tapped. The user can then choose to send the email/SMS or edit it before sending. Use cases include, but are not limited to, customer service information for warranty or loyalty programs. - Initiate a phone call: Opens the phone service to the number contained in the tag's NDEF message. - Read a Text: Displays the text message contained in the tag being tapped. - Mime NDEF exemples: MimeType = application/pdf / MimeData = userManual.pdf - External NDEF exemples: application = video ; type = mpeg ; Data = video.mov Additionally, the NFC Tap App application include Bluetooth pairing with a ST25DV discovery board.

Screenshots

NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader4 screens
NFC Tap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC Tap at none against NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader's 26. NFC Tap also leads on ads (none vs shown). NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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.cool Tools Tag Reader sells 26 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. NFC Tap asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader has 6.7K ratings behind it against 229, 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 55% of NFC Tap's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader ships an update every 11 days, NFC Tap every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader versus NFC Tap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC.cool Tools Tag ReaderNFC Tap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6.7K ratings) — better4.2 (229 ratings)
Positive reviews65.9% of reviews — better55.3% of reviews
Number of ratings6.7K — better229
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size102 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicolo StanciuSTMicroelectronics

Customer experience

NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader

All ratings6,676 ratings
Positive86.5%
Neutral3.2%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews1,207 reviews
Positive65.9%
Neutral4.7%
Negative29.3%

NFC Tap

All ratings219 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive55.3%
Neutral3.9%
Negative40.8%

User reviews

NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader

From 6.7K App Store ratings

What 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

NFC Tap

From 229 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 💡 Handy for development
  • 🚀 Works as intended (initially)
  • 👍 Great color scheme
  • 👍 Simple navigation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Does not work anymore
  • 🐛 Unable to write to tags
  • 🐛 Error messages
  • 🐛 Not user friendly
  • 🐛 Hard to navigate

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

NFC Tap

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Unable to write to tags
  • Error indicating need to read tag first
  • No longer works
  • Cannot read, edit, or write back memory to 15693 tag
  • Crashing when scanning NXP Mifare
Show 7 more
  • Error message: 'need to read a card on the main screen'
  • App closes when scanning NXP Mifare
  • Password protection bug on iOS (cannot enter password)
  • CCFile Error with Type 5 chips on iPhone
  • Required to scan tag before reading/writing memory
  • Throws an error for CCFile
  • Unable to read ST25 chips on iPhone

Requested features

6 requests
  • Display NDEF record in HEX
  • Fix password protection bug on iOS
  • Allow importing bin files
  • Improve user-friendliness for beginners
  • Connect Digimon Vital Bracelet with VB Lab
Show 1 more
  • Remove automatic tag scan prompt on app open

In-app purchases

26 purchases

NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader

Subscriptions20
  • Unlimited Monthly Special$1.991 Month
  • Business Cards Service Monthly3 Days trial$2.491 Month
  • Unlimited 3DT Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
Show 17 more
  • 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
One-time6
  • Donut$0.99
  • Rainbow Dark Mode$0.99
  • Unlimited QR-Code Widgets$3.99
Show 3 more
  • Speech Synthesizer$3.99
  • Ad-free$6.99
  • Unlimited Lifetime$49.99
None

NFC Tap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader free?
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NFC Tap free?
NFC Tap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader or NFC Tap?
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader is rated higher. NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 6.7K ratings, while NFC Tap averages 4.2 from 229 ratings.
Do NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader or NFC Tap have ads?
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader shows ads; NFC Tap does not.
Which is updated more often, NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader or NFC Tap?
NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader ships an update every 11 days, and NFC Tap every 2 months. Most recently, NFC.cool Tools Tag Reader was updated on September 24, 2026 and NFC Tap on September 21, 2026.

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