NFC21 Reader vs NFC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
NFC21 Reader ships an update every 5 weeks, NFC fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NFC21 Reader | NFC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (4 ratings) | 4.3 (95 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 70.6% of reviews — better | 59.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 95 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | NFC21 GmbH | Cameron Nazemi |
Customer experience
NFC21 Reader
NFC
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- Reset NFC chip
- Clear NFC chip to factory default
In-app purchases
NFC21 Reader
No in-app purchases
NFC
- NFC Pro (Monthly)$0.491 Month
- NFC Pro$0.99









