Comparison

NFC Reader vs Chip Detector

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

Head to head
About

NFC Reader

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
Read full description

Hold your iPhone near any NFC or RFID tag and instantly read its content. No account. No setup. Works offline. REAL-WORLD USE CASES • Tap a business card tag → contact imported directly into your address book • Tap a WiFi tag → connected instantly, no password typing • Tap a product tag → URL opens in your browser automatically • Tap a door or badge tag → phone number dialed or email drafted in one step • Tap a location tag → map opens with the exact coordinates • Tap a NFC label on equipment → log and track your assets • Tap an unknown tag → raw content and hex data displayed for technical analysis SUPPORTED TAG TYPES • Text — view and copy raw text • URL & URI — open links instantly (http, ftp, file and other schemes) • vCard — import contacts with all fields prefilled • Phone — dial the stored number directly • Email — compose a message with subject and body prefilled • SMS — open Messages with recipient and text prefilled • WiFi — connect to a network automatically, including open networks • Location — view coordinates on a map • Smart Poster — display title and URL from composite tags • FeliCa — read IDm and system code from FeliCa tags • MiFare — read identifier from MiFare tags (ISO 14443, ISO 15693, ISO 18092) • RFID — compatible with a wide range of RFID tags and transponders KEY FEATURES • Multi-Scan — scan multiple tags in one session and review all results at once • Scan History — every tag saved automatically with date and type • Hex View — inspect the raw tag payload in hexadecimal • Share — export tag content via any app on your device • In-App Browser — open URLs without leaving the app • Privacy First — no account required, no data sent to any server • Dark Mode — full support for iOS dark mode

About

Chip Detector

Features
Read full description

Chip Detector is an organizer and manager for NFC tag data. The app allows you to scan NFC tags and view the NDEF data stored on them. You can save scanned records to local storage for later use and manage your collection of NFC tag data. The app also lets you write NDEF data to compatible NFC tags directly from your device. Features: * Scan NFC tags and read NDEF records * View and analyze tag data * Save scanned data locally * Write NDEF data to NFC tags * Manage your saved NFC records More features are coming soon.

Screenshots

NFC Reader4 screens
Chip Detector4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Chip Detector at none against NFC Reader's shown. Chip Detector also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Chip Detector sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC Reader ships an update every 2 months, Chip Detector every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
NFC Reader versus Chip Detector: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC ReaderChip Detector
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (43 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings43 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJulien MillauPetr Makarov

In-app purchases

1 purchases

NFC Reader

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$1.99
1 purchases

Chip Detector

One-time1
  • Pro Version$1.99

Questions

Is NFC Reader free?
NFC Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chip Detector free?
Chip Detector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NFC Reader or Chip Detector have ads?
NFC Reader shows ads; Chip Detector does not.
Which is updated more often, NFC Reader or Chip Detector?
NFC Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Chip Detector every 5 days. Most recently, NFC Reader was updated on October 5, 2026 and Chip Detector on October 9, 2026.

Other comparisons