# HID Reader Manager vs CEL

The clearest difference is rating: CEL at 4.5 against HID Reader Manager's 2.6. CEL also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). HID Reader Manager's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 20 months) and ratings volume (27 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CEL holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HID Reader Manager has 27 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 11% of HID Reader Manager's written reviews are positive against 0% of CEL's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

HID Reader Manager ships an update every 2 months, CEL every 20 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | HID Reader Manager | CEL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hid-reader-manager/id1328840981/reviews) | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cel-fi-mywave/id1560705133/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **27** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **10.7% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 20 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 258 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HID Global](https://appshunter.io/developer/657306800) | [Nextivity, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/928976824) |

## What reviewers say

### HID Reader Manager

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hid-reader-manager/id1328840981)

This app simplifies the management of compatible HID readers. It allows administrators to configure settings, update firmware, and export reader status. Users can also upgrade readers to support Bluetooth and OSDP.

**Highlights:** Configure reader settings, Upgrade reader firmware, Inspect and export reader status, Enable Bluetooth support, Enable OSDP support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### CEL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cel-fi-mywave/id1560705133)

This utility app helps optimize your signal booster by following your phone's preferred network frequency and technology. It runs in the background to ensure consistent signal enhancement while you're on the move.

**Highlights:** Follow-my-phone utility, Optimizes signal booster, Runs in background, Ensures preferred frequency/technology boosting, Easy setup

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HID Reader Manager free?

HID Reader Manager is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CEL free?

CEL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HID Reader Manager or CEL?

CEL is rated higher. HID Reader Manager averages 2.6 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while CEL averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do HID Reader Manager or CEL have ads?

Neither HID Reader Manager nor CEL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HID Reader Manager or CEL?

HID Reader Manager ships an update every 2 months, and CEL every 20 months. Most recently, HID Reader Manager was updated on October 24, 2026 and CEL on October 24, 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.*