NFC Tap vs Japan NFC Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
Japan NFC Reader
Easily check the balance and usage history of various Japanese transit and e-money cards directly on your iPhone. Supports a wide range of IC cards and payment services for convenient financial tracking.
- Check e-money balance
- View usage history
- Supports Transit IC cards
- Supports Rakuten Edy, nanaco, WAON
- Supports Hong Kong Octopus card
- iPhone compatibility
Read full descriptionHide full description
You can check Japanese e-money balance and usage history on your iPhone. Support: ・Transit IC(Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, SUGOCA, TOICA, Kitaca, manaca, nimoca, はやかけん(Hayakaken)) ・IruCa ・PASPY ・SAPICA ・icsca ・OKICA ・Ryuto ・Region Affiliate Transit IC(totra, Iwate Green Pass, iGUCA, HACHICA, AOPASS, nolbé, Shuhoku Orange Pass, AkiCA, Towada SkyBlue Pass, cherica, MegoICa, …and more!) ・Rakuten Edy ・nanaco ・WAON ・Japan Univ. Co-op IC Prepaid ・八達通 (Octopus) (Hong Kong) Devices that support card scanning: WITH iOS 13.0 OR LATER iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone SE (3rd generation) iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone SE (2nd generation) iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone XS iPhone XS Max iPhone XR iPhone X iPhone 8 iPhone 8 Plus iPhone 7 (sold in Japan) iPhone 7 Plus (sold in Japan)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Japan NFC Reader at 5.0 against NFC Tap's 4.2. Japan NFC Reader also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (67% vs 55%). NFC Tap's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Japan NFC Reader sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. NFC Tap asks for nothing beyond the download.
Japan NFC Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NFC Tap has 229 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of NFC Tap's written reviews are positive against 67% of Japan NFC Reader's.
NFC Tap ships an update every 2 months, Japan NFC Reader every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and July 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NFC Tap | Japan NFC Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (229 ratings) | 5.0 (24 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.3% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 229 — better | 24 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | STMicroelectronics | Ryoga Tanaka |
Customer experience
NFC Tap
Japan NFC Reader
Bugs and requests
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- Remove automatic tag scan prompt on app open
Japan NFC Reader
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NFC Tap
No in-app purchases
Japan NFC Reader
- Hide Ads (General)$1.99
- Hide Ads (Advanced Features)$4.99
Questions
Is NFC Tap free?
Is Japan NFC Reader free?
Which has better reviews, NFC Tap or Japan NFC Reader?
Do NFC Tap or Japan NFC Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, NFC Tap or Japan NFC Reader?
Other comparisons















