Comparison

NFC21 Reader vs NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer

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

Head to head
About

NFC21 Reader

Easily read and interact with NFC tags. Scan tags to preview content and immediately perform actions like opening websites, adding contacts, or connecting to Wi-Fi. Supports various tag types for seamless interaction.

Highlights
  • Scan NFC tags
  • Preview tag content
  • Directly execute actions
  • Supports URL, VCard, WiFi, Text, GEO, Phone, Mail, SMS
  • Continuous improvement and new features
  • Simple and usable interface
Read full description

We love NFC! That's why, we strive to provide the most simple and usable solution to read NFC-Tags. NFC21 Reader focuses on the content of a scanned NFC-Tag and offers an action to proceed immediately – without any distractions whatsoever. NFC tags are used to store information like website links, phone numbers, business cards or WiFi configurations. NFC21 Reader enables you to read and interact with such nfc tags in just two easy steps: First, by scanning the NFC tag, you get a preview of its contents. Second, execute an action matched to the given content. For example, to open a weblink in Safari, import a business card into contacts or show a location in maps. NFC21 Reader supports the following Tag-Types: • URL: Website Links to open in Safari. • VCard: Business cards, that may be added to your contacts. • WiFi: Network configuration to easily join a secured WiFi. • Text: Short texts that can be copied to the clipboard. • GEO: Location that is shown in maps application. • Phone Number: To easily dial a stored phone number. • Mail: Create a new mail with prefilled address and subject. • SMS: Start a new SMS-chat with a given phone number. We improve the application continuously and add more types and actions. Do you miss a feature? Our development team would love to listen to your idea! NFC-Expert? Experts should take a look at our NFC21 Tools app. It allows to create and write to own NFC-Tags and provides more detail and technical information about used tags.

About

NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer

This utility app allows users to scan and read data from NFC tags. It provides a straightforward interface for accessing raw information and exporting it. The application is free to use and does not display advertisements.

Highlights
  • Scan NFC tags
  • Read NFC tag data
  • Export RAW data
  • Simple interface
  • No advertisements
Features
Read full description

Hold your iPhone near a tag and see what's inside. Then edit it, copy it to another tag, or wipe it clean. Version 2.0 is a full rewrite with a new design and many new features. FREE, NO ADS Reading, erasing and export are free forever. No ads, no subscriptions, no sign-up. READ & ERASE • Tag type, exact chip model, ID, memory size and lock status • Text, links and other NDEF records in plain, readable form • Raw memory dump with a HEX view for non-NDEF tags • Copy any value with one tap • Export a scan as clean JSON • Erase a tag back to blank PRO (ONE-TIME PURCHASE) • Write text or a link: web, email, phone, SMS or location • Clone a tag to a blank tag in a few taps • Write files or several records at once • Edit records as JSON, or raw memory in a hex editor • Write to and erase password-protected NTAG21x tags • Permanent lock (can't be undone) Your first 3 writes are free, clones included. Pay once, keep it forever. No subscription. GOOD TO KNOW • Bank cards, transit passes and encrypted access cards are protected by design. iOS doesn't allow copying or editing them, so the app shows only their ID and basic info. • Works offline. No data collection. • You need an iPhone with NFC. Made by one independent developer: me. Question or an idea? Use the support link, I read every message.

Screenshots

NFC21 Reader4 screens
NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NFC21 Reader at 71% against NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer's 33%. NFC21 Reader also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 100 months) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.5). 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC21 Reader ships an update every 5 weeks, NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer every 100 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NFC21 Reader versus NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC21 ReaderNFC Scanner, Reader & Writer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews70.6% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 100 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNFC21 GmbHAleksandr Balyberdin

Customer experience

NFC21 Reader

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive70.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative29.4%

NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer

Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

NFC21 Reader

No in-app purchases

None

NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NFC21 Reader free?
NFC21 Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer free?
NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NFC21 Reader or NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer have ads?
Neither NFC21 Reader nor NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NFC21 Reader or NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer?
NFC21 Reader ships an update every 5 weeks, and NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer every 100 months. Most recently, NFC21 Reader was updated on October 22, 2026 and NFC Scanner, Reader & Writer on October 24, 2026.

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