# HID Reader Manager vs Brother Pro Label Tool

The clearest difference is rating: Brother Pro Label Tool at 4.5 against HID Reader Manager's 2.6. Brother Pro Label Tool also leads on review sentiment (31% vs 13%) and ratings volume (250 vs 26). HID Reader Manager's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Brother Pro Label Tool holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brother Pro Label Tool has 250 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of HID Reader Manager's written reviews are positive against 31% of Brother Pro Label Tool's.

HID Reader Manager ships an update every 2 months, Brother Pro Label Tool every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HID Reader Manager | Brother Pro Label Tool |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hid-reader-manager/id1328840981/reviews) | **[4.5 (250 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brother-pro-label-tool/id1570085471/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 26 | **250** |
| Positive reviews | 12.5% of reviews | **31.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 174 MB | 138 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HID Global](https://appshunter.io/developer/657306800) | [Brother Industries, LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/382775645) |

## 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


### Brother Pro Label Tool

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brother-pro-label-tool/id1570085471)

Create professional labels for telecom, datacom, and electrical identification directly from your smartphone or tablet. Print labels wirelessly to a Brother label printer without needing a computer or drivers. Features include cloud-based templates, serialization, and custom form creation for efficient labeling.

**Highlights:** Cloud-based label templates, Wireless printing to Brother printers, No computer or driver needed, Serialize function for sequential labels, Custom form creation, CSV database connectivity

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Powerful and flexible app
- 👍 Good for designing labels
- 👍 Time saver
- 👍 Makes hardware features accessible
- 👍 Excellent products overall (printer)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Clunky and not user-friendly
- 👎 Poor iPad/tablet support
- 👎 Difficult Bluetooth pairing/connection
- 👎 Lacks essential features from older apps
- 👎 Expensive machine with limited compatibility

**Reported bugs**

- App hangs on 'Cancelling' after printer disconnects
- Bluetooth connection is poor and requires frequent restarts
- Numbers are printed lower than letters
- App doesn't detect loaded tape or saved labels
- Cannot make SL labels that adjust width automatically

**Requested features**

- Add half cut option
- Auto-save WIP labels
- Support for MDM-introduced fonts
- Add arrows for precise movement of images/icons
- Incorporate reference to the middle position of each port


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HID Reader Manager free?

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

### Is Brother Pro Label Tool free?

Brother Pro Label Tool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HID Reader Manager or Brother Pro Label Tool?

Brother Pro Label Tool is rated higher. HID Reader Manager averages 2.6 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Brother Pro Label Tool averages 4.5 from 250 ratings.

### Do HID Reader Manager or Brother Pro Label Tool have ads?

Neither HID Reader Manager nor Brother Pro Label Tool shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HID Reader Manager or Brother Pro Label Tool?

HID Reader Manager ships an update every 2 months, and Brother Pro Label Tool every 3 months. Most recently, HID Reader Manager was updated on September 22, 2026 and Brother Pro Label Tool on September 25, 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.*