# Trip Reader (NFC) vs Smart NFC Tools

Trip Reader (NFC) and Smart NFC Tools both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 91% of Trip Reader (NFC)'s written reviews are positive against 30% of Smart NFC Tools's. Trip Reader (NFC) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Smart NFC Tools's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart NFC Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Trip Reader (NFC) asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Trip Reader (NFC) against 4.6 for Smart NFC Tools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 483 and 476 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Trip Reader (NFC)'s written reviews are positive against 30% of Smart NFC Tools's.

Trip Reader (NFC) ships an update every 2 months, Smart NFC Tools weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Trip Reader (NFC) | Smart NFC Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (483 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trip-reader-nfc/id1488582968/reviews)** | [4.6 (476 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-nfc-tools-read-and-write/id1527587931/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **483** | 476 |
| Positive reviews | **90.9% of reviews** | 30.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 5 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Domosekai Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488582967) | [Arthur Eduardo Skaetta Alvarez Desenvolvimento de Software LTDA.](https://appshunter.io/developer/867175889) |

## What reviewers say

### Trip Reader (NFC)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trip-reader-nfc/id1488582968)

Access your Chinese public transit card's balance and transaction history using your iPhone's NFC reader. View station names, monthly discounts, and bus routes without needing internet or Bluetooth. Save your travel history and sync it across devices.

**Highlights:** Read balance and history, Show station names, Track monthly discounts, Display bus route numbers, Save travel history, Sync to iCloud

**In-app purchases:** none


### Smart NFC Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-nfc-tools-read-and-write/id1527587931)

Easily read, inspect, and modify NFC tags with this intuitive tool. Write to tags in various formats to trigger actions like opening websites or making calls. Prioritizes user privacy by operating entirely offline.

**Highlights:** Read NFC tag content, Inspect and modify NFC tags, Erase, lock, and copy tags, Write NFC tags in various formats, Trigger phone calls or open websites, 100% offline operation

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NFC Tools Premium | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💰 Reasonable price
- 🚀 Works great
- 👍 Very practical
- 👍 Excellent app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Does not work
- 👎 Waste of money
- 👎 Free version limited
- 👎 Scam and money taken
- 👎 Paid and no function

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't work to save contact card
- App glitches
- Doesn't work to read card and fob
- Paid for unlock, but restore doesn't work after iOS update
- Paid for ability to lock tags, but feature does not work

**Requested features**

- Add social media to chips
- Ability to add multiple items to card after paying


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Trip Reader (NFC) free?

Trip Reader (NFC) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smart NFC Tools free?

Smart NFC Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Trip Reader (NFC) or Smart NFC Tools?

Trip Reader (NFC) is rated higher. Trip Reader (NFC) averages 4.7 out of 5 from 483 ratings, while Smart NFC Tools averages 4.6 from 476 ratings.

### Do Trip Reader (NFC) or Smart NFC Tools have ads?

Neither Trip Reader (NFC) nor Smart NFC Tools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Trip Reader (NFC) or Smart NFC Tools?

Trip Reader (NFC) ships an update every 2 months, and Smart NFC Tools weekly. Most recently, Trip Reader (NFC) was updated on September 23, 2026 and Smart NFC Tools on September 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.*