Comparison

NFC Reader vs ReefKeep

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

ReefKeep

Features
Read full description

ReefKeep is a modern, private tracker for saltwater and freshwater aquariums — built for hobbyists who want fast logging and proactive insights, not just prettier graphs. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Log 8 parameters in under a minute with a clean one-screen entry • Scan Hanna Checker readings with the camera — no more transcribing numbers • Track alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, phosphate, pH, salinity, temperature and any custom parameter you care about • See trends as native charts with your target ranges overlaid • Schedule recurring tasks (water changes, filter swaps, skimmer cleaning) with local reminders • Record livestock with timelines for spawning, fragging, moves and notes THE INSIGHTS ENGINE Other apps show you numbers. ReefKeep tells you what they mean. • Trend alerts — "Alkalinity has fallen 8% over your last 5 tests" • Correlation hints — "Alk and calcium are both dropping. Check your 2-part dosing." • Stale data warnings — "You haven't tested nitrate in 12 days" • Smart water-change recommendations based on your actual nitrate trajectory, not a fixed schedule Everything runs on your device. Nothing leaves your phone unless iCloud sync is enabled. ASK THE ON-DEVICE COACH With Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro and later), tap any insight and get a plain-language explanation grounded in your own tank's readings — all processed on-device, no accounts, no servers. BUILT FOR REEFERS • Dark mode first — matches how you actually use the app next to a lit tank • Dual units everywhere: L/gal, °C/°F, ppt/SG, dKH/meq/ppm • Multiple tanks (Pro) • iCloud sync across your iPhone and iPad — included, not an upgrade • Zero ads, zero tracking SDKs, zero account required PRO UNLOCKS • Unlimited tanks • Unlimited parameter history • Insights engine • CSV export for your records • Photo galleries • Apple Watch (coming soon) Monthly and yearly subscriptions, or a one-time lifetime unlock if you prefer to own your tools. ReefKeep is built by a small team that uses it on their own tanks. We're not trying to be everything for every hobby. We're trying to be the tool you open once a week without thinking, and the app that catches a problem before it costs you a fish. The app applies the standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA) https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

NFC Reader4 screens
ReefKeep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ReefKeep at none against NFC Reader's shown. ReefKeep also leads on update cadence (daily 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 ReefKeep sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC Reader ships an update every 2 months, ReefKeep daily. The most recent releases landed on July 7, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
NFC Reader versus ReefKeep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC ReaderReefKeep
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (43 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings43 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJulien MillauEnovira AB

In-app purchases

1 purchases

NFC Reader

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$1.99
3 purchases

ReefKeep

Subscriptions2
  • ReefKeep Pro - monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • ReefKeep Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • ReefKeep Lifetime Subscription$79.99

Questions

Is NFC Reader free?
NFC Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ReefKeep free?
ReefKeep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NFC Reader or ReefKeep have ads?
NFC Reader shows ads; ReefKeep does not.
Which is updated more often, NFC Reader or ReefKeep?
NFC Reader ships an update every 2 months, and ReefKeep daily. Most recently, NFC Reader was updated on July 7, 2026 and ReefKeep on September 22, 2026.

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