Comparison

IoT OnOff vs BLESerial nRF

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

Head to head
About

IoT OnOff

Monitor and control your Internet of Things projects with this app. It offers interactive widgets for data presentation and in-app configuration. Supports JSON formatted MQTT messages and includes a demo configuration for immediate use.

Highlights
  • Interactive widgets for IoT data
  • In-app configuration
  • JSON formatted MQTT message handling
  • Customizable themes
  • Multiple dashboards
  • Auto reconnect to MQTT broker
  • Topic builder with autocomplete
Features
Read full description

Monitor and control your Internet Of Things (IoT) projects with this app. Everything can be configured inside the app. The app is preconfigured with a demo configuration so that you experience the simplicity directly after the install. (Tip: use two devices to see and feel the speed of the app.) Optionally, JSON formatted MQTT messages can be handled. We designed smart interactive widgets (controls) so your IoT data will be presented nice and smooth. Under the MQTT broker settings menu we have foreseen a list with public available MQTT brokers. We are not responsible for the availability of these brokers. If the default broker is not active, please select another one of the list or configure your own. Features: * Nice set of widgets * In-app configuration * Theme support * Customisable themes, locally and remote * Auto reconnect to MQTT broker * Native TCP sockets & WebSockets * Client support for topic filters with wildcards * Grid layout with rearrange support * Multiple dashboards * High performance * JSON parser (optionally) * Backup / restore (optionally) * Export / import (optionally) * Export / import single widget from one device to another (optionally) * Copy and move widgets from one dashboard to another * Topic builder with autocomplete * Manage list of MQTT brokers * E-mail support * GDPR compliant No advertising in the app. Have fun!

About

BLESerial nRF

This app provides a direct serial terminal connection to Nordic nRF52 Bluetooth Low Energy boards. It allows for real-time command sending and data reception without cables or adapters. Features include device scanning, a smooth scrolling console, and smart alerts for specific data patterns.

Highlights
  • Real-time data transfer
  • Device scanning and connection
  • Customizable console view
  • Smart data alerts
  • Configurable UUIDs
  • Bluetooth explorer
Features
Read full description

The dedicated serial terminal for Nordic nRF52 Bluetooth Low Energy boards. BLE Serial nRF52 connects your iPhone or iPad directly to any nRF52-based device and lets you send commands and receive data in real time — no cables, no adapters, no fuss. This free version is identical to the Pro version, except it does not include Functions (custom send buttons and toggle switches) and only works with Nordic nRF52 modules — not CC254x boards such as the HM-10. Built specifically for the nRF52 UART service (6E400001), it works out of the box with popular nRF52 development boards and custom firmware alike. **CONNECT IN SECONDS** Scan for nearby nRF52 devices and see their name, advertised services, manufacturer data, and live signal strength at a glance. Tap to connect. Auto-reconnect brings you straight back to your device every time you open the app. **SERIAL CONSOLE** A smooth scrolling console displays all incoming and outgoing data, with sent text highlighted for easy reading. Adjust font size, line endings, and display format (ASCII or hex) to suit your workflow. **SMART ALERTS** Set text patterns to watch for in incoming data. When a match is found, the app notifies you immediately — ideal for monitoring autonomous devices or catching error conditions. **FULLY CONFIGURABLE** The service and characteristic UUIDs can be adjusted in Settings for custom nRF52 firmware. Supports both standard and 128-bit UUIDs. **CLEAN AND FOCUSED** No ads. No subscriptions. No unnecessary permissions. Just a fast, reliable connection to your nRF52 hardware. **WANT MORE?** Check out BLE Serial Pro — it adds programmable one-tap command buttons, supports HM-10 and CC2541 in the same app, and shows a live console strip so you can see device responses without switching views. Features: • Fully customisable console view, with options like: - Display format (ASCII, Hex, Dec, etc.) - Line numbers and timestamps - Newline behaviour - Style (code or chat) and sound effects • Send data how it suits you: - In different formats (ASCII, Hex, Dec, etc.) - With or without newline/carriage return character at the end - All at once or in chunks (to accommodate for processing time) • Completely functional bluetooth explorer included! Find out the services, descriptors and other properties of any bluetooth device in range • "Send on Connect" option, to send a preset message after pairing • "Auto Reconnect" option, to reconnect automatically to the previous device • Easily copy or share the sent and received messages • Editable service/characteristic UUIDs to connect to • Read/Write characteristic UUIDs can be set separately • Easy to use minimalist layout

Screenshots

IoT OnOff4 screens
BLESerial nRF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BLESerial nRF at 100% against IoT OnOff's 48%. BLESerial nRF also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). IoT OnOff's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (14 vs 1). On price, 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. IoT OnOff sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. BLESerial nRF asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BLESerial nRF holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IoT OnOff has 14 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of IoT OnOff's written reviews are positive against 100% of BLESerial nRF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IoT OnOff ships an update every 3 weeks, BLESerial nRF every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
IoT OnOff versus BLESerial nRF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIoT OnOffBLESerial nRF
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (14 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKris Van HoyeEd Nieuwenhuys

Customer experience

IoT OnOff

All ratings14 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive48.5%
Neutral21.2%
Negative30.3%

BLESerial nRF

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

IoT OnOff

Reported bugs

55 issues
  • Icons sometimes not working
  • App does not respond to screen clicks
  • Cannot save groups or add items
  • Storage Manager does not see saved configs
  • Interface forces users to keep tapping
Show 50 more
  • App does not account for screen island
  • Restore data not found after reinstall
  • Graph widgets only update when app is in foreground
  • Menu buttons too close to corners
  • Buttons too close to top/corners of screen
  • App regularly locks up
  • App crashes when trying to connect to broker
  • JSON with underscore character results in unknown
  • Buttons at top/bottom don't work
  • Top/bottom controls don't work
  • Cannot subscribe to anything
  • Back button on subscribe UI does not react
  • App is buggy and moody about connecting to MQTT
  • Connection status message blinks on and off
  • Does not update button status if commanded locally
  • Stopped connecting to MQTT server
  • JSON converter does not convert numbers correctly
  • Cannot connect to broker anymore
  • Cannot configure iPhone XR
  • Buttons by the notch require multiple taps
  • Cannot add topic in settings
  • Keyboard does not appear on input field
  • Cannot connect to CloudMQTT
  • App tries to subscribe to a fixed topic
  • Does not get messages when subscribing
  • Errors appear at the server when editing dashboard while connected
  • Seems incompatible with Thingspeak.com broker
  • No log message for connection struggles
  • App bombard network with Google Analytics requests
  • Not working on iOS 9.3.5
  • App lost configuration by closing the app
  • Cannot connect to my broker
  • Controls at the top of the screen are hard to interact with
  • Does not connect to broker
  • UI issues on modern iPhones
  • Buttons hard to tap
  • Restore data not working
  • JSON parsing issues
  • App crashes
  • Not working on latest iOS
  • Does not update when in background
  • Family sharing not working
  • Tracking in app
  • Incompatible with some brokers
  • Lacks instructions
  • Does not display all data
  • Automatic updates limited
  • Lost configuration
  • Not connecting to broker
  • Few widgets available

Requested features

14 requests
  • Add shortcuts for voice commands
  • Add momentary push button widget
  • Add more colorful widgets
  • Add datalogger widget
  • Add ability to connect to multiple brokers simultaneously
Show 9 more
  • Add notifications when changing topic
  • Add support for Russian language
  • Add option to select number of switches and their labels
  • Add ability to extract specific bits from data
  • Add joystick control widget
  • Add large light display and control widget
  • Add percentage value for blinds
  • Add simple animated pictogram
  • Add X/Y control widget

BLESerial nRF

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

IoT OnOff

One-time3
  • Premium edition$2.99
  • JSON parser$2.99
  • Storage Manager$2.99
None

BLESerial nRF

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IoT OnOff free?
IoT OnOff is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BLESerial nRF free?
BLESerial nRF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IoT OnOff or BLESerial nRF?
BLESerial nRF is rated higher. IoT OnOff averages 3.5 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while BLESerial nRF averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do IoT OnOff or BLESerial nRF have ads?
Neither IoT OnOff nor BLESerial nRF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IoT OnOff or BLESerial nRF?
IoT OnOff ships an update every 3 weeks, and BLESerial nRF every 6 months. Most recently, IoT OnOff was updated on October 24, 2026 and BLESerial nRF on October 24, 2026.

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