Comparison

Zebra vs BLESerial nRF

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

Head to head
About

Zebra

Features
Read full description

Once your data has been offloaded, open and view it, or quickly and easily share it by email or upload it onto your cloud account(s) to ensure your data is safe.

About

BLESerial nRF

This app provides a direct serial terminal connection to Nordic nRF52 Bluetooth Low Energy boards. It allows for real-time command sending and data reception without cables or adapters. Features include device scanning, a smooth scrolling console, and smart alerts for specific data patterns.

Highlights
  • Real-time data transfer
  • Device scanning and connection
  • Customizable console view
  • Smart data alerts
  • Configurable UUIDs
  • Bluetooth explorer
Features
Read full description

The dedicated serial terminal for Nordic nRF52 Bluetooth Low Energy boards. BLE Serial nRF52 connects your iPhone or iPad directly to any nRF52-based device and lets you send commands and receive data in real time — no cables, no adapters, no fuss. This free version is identical to the Pro version, except it does not include Functions (custom send buttons and toggle switches) and only works with Nordic nRF52 modules — not CC254x boards such as the HM-10. Built specifically for the nRF52 UART service (6E400001), it works out of the box with popular nRF52 development boards and custom firmware alike. **CONNECT IN SECONDS** Scan for nearby nRF52 devices and see their name, advertised services, manufacturer data, and live signal strength at a glance. Tap to connect. Auto-reconnect brings you straight back to your device every time you open the app. **SERIAL CONSOLE** A smooth scrolling console displays all incoming and outgoing data, with sent text highlighted for easy reading. Adjust font size, line endings, and display format (ASCII or hex) to suit your workflow. **SMART ALERTS** Set text patterns to watch for in incoming data. When a match is found, the app notifies you immediately — ideal for monitoring autonomous devices or catching error conditions. **FULLY CONFIGURABLE** The service and characteristic UUIDs can be adjusted in Settings for custom nRF52 firmware. Supports both standard and 128-bit UUIDs. **CLEAN AND FOCUSED** No ads. No subscriptions. No unnecessary permissions. Just a fast, reliable connection to your nRF52 hardware. **WANT MORE?** Check out BLE Serial Pro — it adds programmable one-tap command buttons, supports HM-10 and CC2541 in the same app, and shows a live console strip so you can see device responses without switching views. Features: • Fully customisable console view, with options like: - Display format (ASCII, Hex, Dec, etc.) - Line numbers and timestamps - Newline behaviour - Style (code or chat) and sound effects • Send data how it suits you: - In different formats (ASCII, Hex, Dec, etc.) - With or without newline/carriage return character at the end - All at once or in chunks (to accommodate for processing time) • Completely functional bluetooth explorer included! Find out the services, descriptors and other properties of any bluetooth device in range • "Send on Connect" option, to send a preset message after pairing • "Auto Reconnect" option, to reconnect automatically to the previous device • Easily copy or share the sent and received messages • Editable service/characteristic UUIDs to connect to • Read/Write characteristic UUIDs can be set separately • Easy to use minimalist layout

Screenshots

Zebra1 screens
BLESerial nRF4 screens

Verdict

The call

Zebra and BLESerial nRF are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zebra ships an update every 4 months, BLESerial nRF every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Zebra versus BLESerial nRF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZebraBLESerial nRF
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZebra-Tech LtdEd Nieuwenhuys

In-app purchases

None

Zebra

No in-app purchases

None

BLESerial nRF

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zebra free?
Zebra is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BLESerial nRF free?
BLESerial nRF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zebra or BLESerial nRF have ads?
Neither Zebra nor BLESerial nRF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zebra or BLESerial nRF?
Zebra ships an update every 4 months, and BLESerial nRF every 6 months. Most recently, Zebra was updated on October 2, 2026 and BLESerial nRF on October 9, 2026.

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