# Simply NFC vs NFC21 Tools

The clearest difference is rating: NFC21 Tools at 4.7 against Simply NFC's 4.1. NFC21 Tools also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (57% vs 47%). Simply NFC's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (187 vs 37). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simply NFC sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NFC21 Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

NFC21 Tools holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simply NFC has 187 ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Simply NFC's written reviews are positive against 57% of NFC21 Tools's.

Simply NFC ships an update fortnightly, NFC21 Tools every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simply NFC | NFC21 Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (187 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simply-nfc-tag-writerreader/id1262550712/reviews) | **[4.7 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc21-tools/id1496636288/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **187** | 37 |
| Positive reviews | 47.2% of reviews | **56.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 5 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lakeside Llama LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/380892444) | [NFC21 GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/787102532) |

## What reviewers say

### Simply NFC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simply-nfc-tag-writerreader/id1262550712)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Version | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simplicity and minimalism
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Decent design for a utility app
- 👍 Works well for simple things like URLs
- 👍 Good for understanding NFC chips

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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)

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### NFC21 Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc21-tools/id1496636288)

Explore NFC technology with an advanced yet user-friendly toolset. Read, write, and manage NFC tags with support for various data types, including URLs, contacts, and Wi-Fi credentials. Organize your scanned tags with filters and access detailed information.

**Highlights:** Read and write NFC tags, Manage tag history with filters, Create standard, extended, and expert tag types, Support for URL, Phone, Email, SMS, FaceTime, and Shortcuts, Advanced options for Text, Address, Position, Contact, and Wi-Fi, Define custom data types (MIME-Type), Share Bluetooth device IDs

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simply NFC free?

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

### Is NFC21 Tools free?

NFC21 Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Simply NFC or NFC21 Tools?

NFC21 Tools is rated higher. Simply NFC averages 4.1 out of 5 from 187 ratings, while NFC21 Tools averages 4.7 from 37 ratings.

### Do Simply NFC or NFC21 Tools have ads?

Neither Simply NFC nor NFC21 Tools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simply NFC or NFC21 Tools?

Simply NFC ships an update fortnightly, and NFC21 Tools every 2 months. Most recently, Simply NFC was updated on October 23, 2026 and NFC21 Tools on October 21, 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.*