NFC Tap vs Smart NFC Tools
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
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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.
Smart NFC Tools
Easily read, inspect, and modify NFC tags with this intuitive tool. Write to tags in various formats to trigger actions like opening websites or making calls. Prioritizes user privacy by operating entirely offline.
- Read NFC tag content
- Inspect and modify NFC tags
- Erase, lock, and copy tags
- Write NFC tags in various formats
- Trigger phone calls or open websites
- 100% offline operation
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Smart NFC Tools is the most accessible and easy to use NFC Reader and Writer for mobile devices! With a simple user interface and powerful tools you can interact with NDEF-Formatted NFC cards without any external hardware! - Read, Inspect and modify: Read a tag by touching the back of your device against it and Smart NFC Tools will show you a full report on the tag's content and give you options such as erase, lock and copy. It's super easy! - Write in many formats: Smart NFC Tools enables you to write NFC tags in popular formats that allow for custom interactions such as opening a website or triggering a phone call just by touching the tag with a compatible device! - Note about privacy: Smart NFC Tools works 100% offline, without any personal or content data being sent to an external server or third party server. Your privacy is our priority! Embrace the world of NFC technologies using your phone or tablet! Smart NFC Tools is now available for all iOS devices!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC Tap at none against Smart NFC Tools's 1. NFC Tap also leads on review sentiment (55% vs 30%). Smart NFC Tools's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.2). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Smart NFC Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NFC Tap asks for nothing beyond the download.
Smart NFC Tools holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 229 and 476 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of NFC Tap's written reviews are positive against 30% of Smart NFC Tools's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
NFC Tap ships an update every 2 months, Smart NFC Tools weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NFC Tap | Smart NFC Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (229 ratings) | 4.6 (476 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.3% of reviews — better | 30.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 229 | 476 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | STMicroelectronics | Arthur Eduardo Skaetta Alvarez Desenvolvimento de Software LTDA. |
Customer experience
NFC Tap
Smart NFC Tools
User reviews
NFC Tap
From 229 App Store ratingsWhat 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
Smart NFC Tools
From 476 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💰 Reasonable price
- 🚀 Works great
- 👍 Very practical
- 👍 Excellent app
Room to improve
- 👎 Does not work
- 👎 Waste of money
- 👎 Free version limited
- 👎 Scam and money taken
- 👎 Paid and no function
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
Smart NFC Tools
Reported bugs
6 issues- Doesn't work to save contact card
- App glitches
- Doesn't work to read card and fob
- Paid for unlock, but restore doesn't work after iOS update
- Paid for ability to lock tags, but feature does not work
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- App not working after 15 minutes, even after purchase
Requested features
2 requests- Add social media to chips
- Ability to add multiple items to card after paying
In-app purchases
NFC Tap
No in-app purchases
Smart NFC Tools
- NFC Tools Premium$1.99
Questions
Is NFC Tap free?
Is Smart NFC Tools free?
Which has better reviews, NFC Tap or Smart NFC Tools?
Do NFC Tap or Smart NFC Tools have ads?
Which is updated more often, NFC Tap or Smart NFC Tools?
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