Comparison

NFC21 Reader vs NFC

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

Easily read, write, and lock NFC tags with this utility app. It supports various tag types, allows writing text or URLs, and offers pre-built templates for common tasks like Wi-Fi logins and contact cards. You can also erase tags and set passwords.

Highlights
  • Read NFC tag data
  • Write text and URLs to NFC tags
  • Lock NFC tags to make them read-only
  • Pre-built templates for common NFC tasks
  • Set and remove NFC tag passwords
  • Erase NFC tags
Features
Read full description

NFC - Reader & Writer provides a simple and easy-to-use solution to Read, Write, and Lock an NFC Tag. Read: - Tap the Read button to read a compatible NFC Tag. - Opens URL's if allows in settings - Manufacturer & model (NTAG213, NTAG215, Ultralight, Mifare, etc.) - Serial number & tech details - Memory size, tag type & available technologies - iCloud-Synced Tag Read History Write: - Type in text then press the write button to write to an NFC Tag. - Write in text or URL (using https:// format). - Save any template or stack you create Create useful NFC tags in seconds with prebuilt templates: - Wi-Fi Login - Contact Card - Bluetooth - Location / Maps - Website Link - Email - SMS - Custom Text or NDEF Records Lock: - Press the lock button to make an NFC Tag "read only" meaning you will no longer be able to write to that same NFC Tag (This is permanent) Tools: - Set or remove NFC passwords - Erase tags *Works with iPhone 7 or newer* More features to come!

Screenshots

NFC21 Reader4 screens
NFC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NFC at 4.3 against NFC21 Reader's 3.0. NFC also leads on ratings volume (95 vs 4) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). NFC21 Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NFC sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. NFC21 Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NFC holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NFC has 95 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of NFC21 Reader's written reviews are positive against 59% of NFC's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC21 Reader ships an update every 5 weeks, NFC fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
NFC21 Reader versus NFC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC21 ReaderNFC
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings)4.3 (95 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.6% of reviews — better59.2% of reviews
Number of ratings495 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB16 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperNFC21 GmbHCameron Nazemi

Customer experience

NFC21 Reader

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

NFC

All ratings95 ratings
Positive82.1%
Neutral2.1%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive59.2%
Neutral4.1%
Negative36.7%

Bugs and requests

NFC21 Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

NFC

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Full tag text truncated
  • App became unusable
  • Doesn't open URLs
  • No read on iPhone 15 Pro
  • Doesn't read NFC tags
Show 3 more
  • Not working at all
  • Can't get all scans
  • Kodu okumuyor

Requested features

7 requests
  • Automatic scan on app open
  • Dark mode icon
  • Formatting NFC tag
  • SSID WiFi option
  • Ad-free version
Show 2 more
  • Reset NFC chip
  • Clear NFC chip to factory default

In-app purchases

None

NFC21 Reader

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

NFC

Subscriptions1
  • NFC Pro (Monthly)$0.491 Month
One-time1
  • NFC Pro$0.99

Questions

Is NFC21 Reader free?
NFC21 Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NFC free?
NFC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NFC21 Reader or NFC?
NFC is rated higher. NFC21 Reader averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while NFC averages 4.3 from 95 ratings.
Do NFC21 Reader or NFC have ads?
NFC shows ads; NFC21 Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, NFC21 Reader or NFC?
NFC21 Reader ships an update every 5 weeks, and NFC fortnightly. Most recently, NFC21 Reader was updated on June 3, 2026 and NFC on September 22, 2026.

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