# NFC Reader vs StarNFC

The clearest difference is review sentiment: StarNFC at 25% against NFC Reader's 0%. StarNFC also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NFC Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and StarNFC sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

NFC Reader ships an update every 2 months, StarNFC every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on July 7, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NFC Reader | StarNFC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-reader-tag-scanner/id1324286598/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **43** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **25.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Julien Millau](https://appshunter.io/developer/1324286597) | [志红 刘](https://appshunter.io/developer/1567776882) |

## What reviewers say

### NFC Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-reader-tag-scanner/id1324286598)

Instantly read NFC and RFID tags without an account or internet connection. It supports various tag types, including business cards, Wi-Fi credentials, and location data, with features like multi-scan and a detailed history.

**Highlights:** Read NFC/RFID tags instantly, Offline functionality, Supports multiple tag types (vCard, Wi-Fi, URL), Scan history and multi-scan, Hexadecimal data view, Share tag content, Privacy-focused, no account needed

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |


### StarNFC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starnfc-nfc-tools/id1573144215)

This tool allows you to read, write, and manage NFC tags on your iPhone. Create smart tags for daily use, automate actions with iOS Shortcuts, and share information like Wi-Fi details or contact cards easily.

**Highlights:** NFC Tag Reader, NFC Tag Writer, Tag Management, iOS Shortcuts Automation, Wi-Fi Information Tags, Media & Smart Links

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| StarNFC Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| StarNFC Monthly Story | $3.99 | per month |
| StarNFC Annual Story | $24.99 | per year |
| StarNFC Premium | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NFC Reader free?

NFC Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is StarNFC free?

StarNFC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do NFC Reader or StarNFC have ads?

Both NFC Reader and StarNFC show ads.

### Which is updated more often, NFC Reader or StarNFC?

NFC Reader ships an update every 2 months, and StarNFC every 2 weeks. Most recently, NFC Reader was updated on July 7, 2026 and StarNFC on September 18, 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.*