Simply NFC vs ZapLock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
ZapLock
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ZapLock turns any folder in Files into a locked one — and back — without moving it. Pick a folder: On My iPhone, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive. ZapLock encrypts every file in place, keeps the folder's name and location, and leaves nothing readable behind. A folder locked on your Mac opens here; one locked here opens on your Mac. UNLOCK WITH YOUR ZAPQR SIGN-IN Opening a vault is a sign-in, not a password. Face ID and the passkey ZapQR already put on this iPhone, or a magic link if you prefer. Nothing to remember, nothing to send over chat, nothing to leak. FILES OPEN INSIDE ZAPLOCK Tap a file and ZapLock decrypts that one file, shows it, and wipes the copy the moment you lock, switch apps, or the auto-lock timer fires. Leaving the app always locks — the app switcher never sees an open vault. SHARE, AND TAKE IT BACK Share a vault with anyone who has a ZapQR account. Each person unlocks it on their own device, with their own key. Remove them and their access ends immediately — even a vault they have open locks itself within a second. YOUR KEYS STAY YOURS Every file is encrypted with AES-256. The key is split: one half never leaves this device's Secure Enclave, the other is released by ZapQR only while your sign-in and your share are valid. Nobody — not DaSecure, not your cloud provider — holds a whole key. File contents and file names never leave your device. PORTABLE BY DESIGN The vault format is open and documented, and the same on iPhone, iPad and Mac. A folder on a portable disk or inside a synced cloud folder carries its protection with it. ZapLock requires a free ZapQR account (auth.zapqr.ai). One universal app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. ZapLock Personal is an auto-renewing subscription: $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year (local prices vary). Payment is charged to your Apple Account; it renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends, and you can manage or cancel it in your App Store account settings. Folders you already locked keep opening on every plan. Terms of Use: https://zaplock.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://zapqr.ai/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: ZapLock at every 5 days against Simply NFC's fortnightly. Simply NFC's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Simply NFC sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ZapLock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Simply NFC ships an update fortnightly, ZapLock every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simply NFC | ZapLock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (183 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 47.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 183 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lakeside Llama LLC | DaSecure Solutions LLC |
Bugs and requests
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
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- 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
ZapLock
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Simply NFC
- Pro Version$4.99
ZapLock
- Personal (monthly)$4.991 Month
- Personal (founder)$29.991 Year
- Personal (yearly)$49.991 Year
Questions
Is Simply NFC free?
Is ZapLock free?
Do Simply NFC or ZapLock have ads?
Which is updated more often, Simply NFC or ZapLock?
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