# NFC21 Reader vs NFC

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | NFC21 Reader | NFC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc21-reader/id1293225257/reviews) | **[4.3 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-reader-and-writer/id1527949024/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **95** |
| Positive reviews | **70.6% of reviews** | 59.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 3 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [NFC21 GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/787102532) | [Cameron Nazemi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470818209) |

## What reviewers say

### NFC21 Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc21-reader/id1293225257)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### NFC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-reader-and-writer/id1527949024)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NFC Pro (Monthly) | $0.49 | per month |
| NFC Pro | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Perfect for reading NFC tags
- 🚀 Quick and easy to use
- 👍 Simple and intuitive
- 👍 Works well with NTAG213
- 👍 Good for basic read/write functions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Text truncated when reading
- 🐛 Raw data field shows raw data
- 🐛 Application became unusable for some
- 🐛 Too many ads
- 🐛 Won't write to NFC tags

**Reported bugs**

- Full tag text truncated
- App became unusable
- Doesn't open URLs
- No read on iPhone 15 Pro
- Doesn't read NFC tags

**Requested features**

- Automatic scan on app open
- Dark mode icon
- Formatting NFC tag
- SSID WiFi option
- Ad-free version


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*