Comparison

NFC Tap vs NFCSmart

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

NFCSmart

This application allows users to easily read and write data to NFC tags on iOS devices. It offers features like quick scanning, custom data writing, batch processing, and secure data handling. The intuitive interface makes NFC interactions accessible for everyone.

Highlights
  • Quick NFC Tag Reading
  • NFC Tag Writing
  • Batch Mode for multiple tags
  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Data Encryption
Features
Read full description

NFCSmart is your go-to solution for seamless and efficient NFC tag reading and writing on iOS devices. Tailored for users who want to interact with NFC technology, NFCSmart offers a streamlined and intuitive experience, making NFC management easier than ever. Features: - Quick NFC Tag Reading: Effortlessly scan NFC tags to instantly retrieve stored information. - NFC Tag Writing: Write custom data or commands onto NFC tags for various uses, such as sharing links, setting up smart home automation, or storing contact information. - Batch Mode: Read and write multiple NFC tags in succession to boost efficiency for larger tasks. - User-Friendly Interface: Enjoy a sleek design and simple navigation that makes NFC interactions smooth and accessible for all users. - Data Encryption: Securely store and transfer your data, ensuring privacy and safety when managing your NFC tags. Download NFCSmart today and start exploring the possibilities of NFC technology at your fingertips!

Screenshots

NFC Tap4 screens
NFCSmart4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NFCSmart at 5.0 against NFC Tap's 4.2. NFCSmart also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13 vs 16.6). NFC Tap's advantage is ratings volume (229 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NFCSmart 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC Tap ships an update every 2 months, NFCSmart every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
NFC Tap versus NFCSmart: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC TapNFCSmart
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (229 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings229 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.613 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSTMicroelectronics敖 刘

Customer experience

NFC Tap

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

NFCSmart

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

NFCSmart

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NFC Tap

No in-app purchases

None

NFCSmart

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NFC Tap free?
NFC Tap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NFCSmart free?
NFCSmart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NFC Tap or NFCSmart?
NFCSmart is rated higher. NFC Tap averages 4.2 out of 5 from 229 ratings, while NFCSmart averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do NFC Tap or NFCSmart have ads?
Neither NFC Tap nor NFCSmart shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NFC Tap or NFCSmart?
NFC Tap ships an update every 2 months, and NFCSmart every 4 days. Most recently, NFC Tap was updated on September 21, 2026 and NFCSmart on June 10, 2026.

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