Comparison

NFC Tap vs Universal Code Scanner

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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.

About

Universal Code Scanner

This app quickly scans and decodes various 2D barcodes and QR codes. It offers enhanced security by checking URLs for phishing and can convert specific payment codes into usable links. The application prioritizes user privacy with no tracking or ads.

Highlights
  • Scans QR, EAN, Aztec, DataMatrix, and more
  • Checks URLs against phishing (Quishing)
  • Converts EPC QR codes to bank/payto URLs
  • Shares decoded data via Airdrop
  • No user tracking or analytics
  • Ad-free and no in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

Universal Scanner is a privacy focused, simple and lightweight application for verifying the content of a wide range of 2d codes. The main features are: - Displays code type and raw content - Option to check scanned URLs against phishing (Quishing) - Converts EPC QR codes (SEPA transfers) to 'bank://' or 'payto://' URL (useful if your banking app does not support EPC codes) - Share raw data or converted data with Airdrop - No user tracking - No analytics - No ads - No in-app purchases (voluntary donations only) - No automatic opening of links (could be enabled in settings) - Scan history optional and disabled by default - Small download size Supported code types: QR, EAN8, UPCE, Aztec, EAN13, ITF14, Code39, Code93, PDF417, Code128, DataMatrix, Code39Mod43, Interleaved2of5, Codabar, MicroQR, MicroPDF417, GS1DataBar, GS1DataBarLimited, GS1DataBarExtended

Screenshots

NFC Tap4 screens
Universal Code Scanner3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Code Scanner at 5.0 against NFC Tap's 4.2. Universal Code Scanner also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (71% vs 55%). NFC Tap's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (229 vs 1). On price, ads and monetization model 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. Universal Code Scanner sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. NFC Tap asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Code Scanner 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 1, 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 71% of Universal Code Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC Tap ships an update every 2 months, Universal Code Scanner every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
NFC Tap versus Universal Code Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC TapUniversal Code Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (229 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews71.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings229 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSTMicroelectronicsMarcus Pleintinger

Customer experience

NFC Tap

All ratings219 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive55.3%
Neutral3.9%
Negative40.8%

Universal Code Scanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • Remove automatic tag scan prompt on app open

Universal Code Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NFC Tap

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Universal Code Scanner

One-time3
  • Small Donation$0.99
  • Mid Donation$2.99
  • Big Donation$5.99

Questions

Is NFC Tap free?
NFC Tap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Universal Code Scanner free?
Universal Code Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NFC Tap or Universal Code Scanner?
Universal Code Scanner is rated higher. NFC Tap averages 4.2 out of 5 from 229 ratings, while Universal Code Scanner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do NFC Tap or Universal Code Scanner have ads?
Neither NFC Tap nor Universal Code Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NFC Tap or Universal Code Scanner?
NFC Tap ships an update every 2 months, and Universal Code Scanner every 3 weeks. Most recently, NFC Tap was updated on October 1, 2026 and Universal Code Scanner on September 25, 2026.

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