Comparison

BLExAR vs MicroLink Connect

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

Head to head
About

BLExAR

This app enables iOS devices to communicate with Arduino boards via Bluetooth Low Energy. It allows real-time control of Arduino pins, data logging with GPS coordinates, and serial text communication for makers and students.

Highlights
  • Real-time control of Arduino digital and analog pins
  • Real-time data plotting
  • Data logging to CSV files
  • Capture GPS coordinates for data points
  • Serial text communication terminal
Features
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BLExAR turns your iPhone or iPad into a pocket bench instrument for Arduino-class boards over Bluetooth Low Energy. Connect to a board with an HM-10 style UART module (CC2541, AT-09, JDY-08, SH-M08), an nRF52840 MakerBLE board or a Seeed XIAO ESP32-C6, then switch pins, stream sensor values, plot and record them, all without writing an app of your own. BLExAR 3.0 is a complete rewrite that keeps working with the sketches and tutorials written for earlier versions: the same commands, the same pins and the same CSV files. CONTROL • Switch digital pins and set PWM from pin tiles laid out like your board's header • Analog sliders for the A-pins • Board profiles for Arduino Uno, Arduino Nano, MakerBLE (nRF52840), Seeed XIAO ESP32-C6 and the classic 2.7 layout • TX/RX activity lights show every message to and from the board DATA • Live chart of the comma-separated values your board sends, with Run/Hold and 10 s, 1 min and 10 min windows • Readout cards with min, max and standard deviation for each series, plus the incoming stream rate • Record sessions to CSV, optionally with your location on each row, and keep recording in the background • Browse, reopen and share recorded sessions; they also appear in the Files app CONSOLE • Serial terminal to send and receive text, with a hex view and quick command keys PANELS • Build your own control dashboards with buttons, toggles, sliders, a joystick and gauges bound to your board's commands and data columns • Share panels with others as files ALWAYS AT HAND • Live Activity on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island while connected or recording • Control Center controls to toggle a pin without opening the app • Scan list puts UART-ready boards first, ordered by signal strength • Automatic reconnect after a dropped link • Light and dark appearance and Dynamic Type BLExAR is made for makers, students, teachers and engineers. Tutorials and example sketches are at makersportal.com.

About

MicroLink Connect

Features
Read full description

MicroLink is the companion app for the CodeCell ESP32 maker module. Connect instantly and interact with your projects using sliders, buttons, a joystick, and real-time sensor feedback — perfect for tiny robots, DIY sensors, or interactive builds. Also built to support our upcoming products launching later this year.

Screenshots

BLExAR4 screens
MicroLink Connect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MicroLink Connect at Free against BLExAR's $4.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

MicroLink Connect is free to download; BLExAR costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BLExAR ships an update every 3 months, MicroLink Connect every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
BLExAR versus MicroLink Connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBLExARMicroLink Connect
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (14 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMaker Portal LLCMicrobots

In-app purchases

None

BLExAR

No in-app purchases

None

MicroLink Connect

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BLExAR free?
BLExAR costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MicroLink Connect free?
MicroLink Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BLExAR or MicroLink Connect have ads?
Neither BLExAR nor MicroLink Connect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BLExAR or MicroLink Connect?
BLExAR ships an update every 3 months, and MicroLink Connect every 4 months. Most recently, BLExAR was updated on October 13, 2026 and MicroLink Connect on October 18, 2026.

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