Comparison

NFC Tools 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 Tools

Easily read and write data to NFC tags using a straightforward interface. Interact with tag content, view detailed information, and record standard data like contacts, URLs, and WiFi configurations.

Highlights
  • Read NFC tag data
  • Write standard information to tags
  • Store VCARDs and URLs
  • Share contact details
  • Save tag contents
  • Configure WiFi and Bluetooth
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

NFC Tools can read and write your NFC tags with a simple and lightweight user interface. By passing your device near an NFC chip, you can read the data it contains and interact with the content. The "Read" section allows you to see data such as: - the maker of the tag - the type of tag (ex : Mifare Ultralight, NTAG213) - the norm of the tag (ex : NFC Forum Type 2) - the available technology (ex: NFC A) - its serial number (ex : 04:85:c8:5a:40:2b:80) - the size of the tag and of the data on it - if you can write on the tag - all the data on the tag (NDEF format) NFC Tools can record standard information on your tags which will be compatible with any NFC device. For instance, you can store a VCARD to share your contact details easily, open an URL, share a phone number or even a geolocation. The "Write" section let you record standardised data such as: - a simple text - a link to a website - an email - a contact - a phone number - a predefined text message - an address or geolocation - a WiFi or Bluetooth configuration - personalised data - and more... The write function allows you to add as much data as you wish. This way you can record large quantities of information on your tag. The app also allows you to save the contents of your chip for later access. NFC Tools has been tested with the following NFC tags: - NTAG 203, 210, 210u, 212, 213, 213TT, 215, 216, 413 DNA, 424 DNA - Ultralight, Ultralight C, Ultralight EV1 - ICODE SLI, SLI-S, SLIX, SLIX-S, SLIX-L, SLIX2, DNA - DESFire EV1, EV2, EV3 - ST25TV, ST25TA - Felica If you encounter any problem, don’t hesitate to contact us. Notes: - Compatible from iPhone 7. - Use the "compatibility" mode to read/write Mifare Classic tags.

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 Tools4 screens
NFC Tap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC Tap at none against NFC Tools's 1. NFC Tools's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (14K vs 229). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NFC Tools holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NFC Tools has 14K ratings behind it against 229, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of NFC Tools's written reviews are positive against 55% of NFC Tap's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC Tools ships an update every 3 weeks, NFC Tap every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
NFC Tools versus NFC Tap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC ToolsNFC Tap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14K ratings) — better4.2 (229 ratings)
Positive reviews50.3% of reviews55.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14K — better229
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#107 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperwakdevSTMicroelectronics

Customer experience

NFC Tools

All ratings14,088 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews686 reviews
Positive50.3%
Neutral9.6%
Negative40.1%

NFC Tap

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

User reviews

NFC Tools

From 14K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 One-time payment for Pro version
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Fast NFC tag reading and writing
  • 👍 Works well for most use cases
  • 💡 Useful for home automation and NFC tag programming

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Issues with reading/writing contact information
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems with certain NFC tags and devices
  • 🐛 Unreliable performance for some users
  • 💰 Paid features should be included in free version

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 Tools

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Cannot unlock NFC tags after locking them
  • Contacts and WiFi records not working as expected
  • Inconsistent behavior when reading/writing tags
  • Restore purchase feature not functioning properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to bulk write NFC tags
  • Improve compatibility with wpa2 enterprise WiFi settings
  • Implement file explorer for loading custom tag data
  • Add option to write data to Apple Wallet
  • Provide emulator functionality for testing without tags

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

1 purchases

NFC Tools

One-time1
  • NFC Tools - Pro Edition$3.99
None

NFC Tap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NFC Tools free?
NFC Tools 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 Tools or NFC Tap?
NFC Tools is rated higher. NFC Tools averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while NFC Tap averages 4.2 from 229 ratings.
Do NFC Tools or NFC Tap have ads?
Neither NFC Tools nor NFC Tap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NFC Tools or NFC Tap?
NFC Tools ships an update every 3 weeks, and NFC Tap every 2 months. Most recently, NFC Tools was updated on September 24, 2026 and NFC Tap on September 21, 2026.

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