Comparison

NTAG 5 Explorer vs NFC Read Write

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

Head to head
About

NTAG 5 Explorer

Features
Read full description

Use this app to read out an NTAG 5 UID and vendor information. Read out sensors, write to memory. Features * Read user input from NTAG 5 switch * Configure NTAG 5 switch LEDs * Read out gyroscope data from NTAG 5 link * Read from and write to memory on NTAG 5 link * Read and save thermal sensor data from the Quad Plaster This app requires an iPhone 8 or newer for all the NFC features available.

About

NFC Read Write

Easily read and write NFC tags using your iPhone. Securely store encrypted records or unencrypted data like URLs, text, and contact information. Connect to Wi-Fi networks instantly without sharing passwords.

Highlights
  • Read and write NFC tags
  • Write encrypted NFConnect records
  • Write unencrypted NDEF data
  • Store URLs, text, phone numbers, and more
  • Join WiFi networks without passwords
  • Supports various NFC tag types
Read full description

Read and Write NFC tags and inlays with iPhone built-in NFC. Write secure encrypted NFConnect records using Serialio.com NFConnect tags or inlays. Don't have NFC NFConnect tags or inlays? No problem. Write NFConnect records (un-encrypted) to any NDEF tag with sufficient memory. For encrypted NFConnect records In-App-Purchase option enables to write encrypted NFConnect records to many tag types that support NDEF. Use tags and inlays with NFConnect records to join WiFi network without giving out your WiFi password. Now your visitors, friends, business associates, etc. can connect to your WiFi network without knowing your WiFi password. Writes NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) data to all the NFC tag types shown above: tags, badges, wristbands, keyfobs, cups, plates, PPE (personal protection equipment), etc. Store URL/URI, Plain TEXT, Phone number, SMS, GEO Location, Email, Application, Business Card, and more. Also write RAW data (not formatted like NDEF). Note: NDEF/RAW data can be used by apps like iScanBrowser, Cloud-In-Hand stratus-io Attendance, Mobile Grid, SerialMagic Keys. Contact serialio.com for more information and to purchase NFC-RFID tags, inlays, wireless readers, software applications Starting with iPhone-11 and iOS 13, iPhone built-in NFC supports reading and writing many types of NFC tags and inlays. Some example NFC tag types are ISO-14443A(*1,2,4) tags like NXP NTAG213, NTAG215, NTAG216, Mifare Classic EV1, Mifare Ultralight (aka Mifare UL), Mifare DESFire, Mifare Plus-SE, Mifare Plus-S, Mifare Plus-X, my-d move - SLE66R01P, FM11RF08, ISO-14443B(*4) tags like AT88RF020, SR176, SRIX512, SRIX4K, and Sony FeliCa(*4) tags, and ISO-15693 tags like ICODE SLI, SLI-X, SLI-X2, Tag-It HF-I Plus. *1 NFC Forum Tag Type 1 *2 NFC Forum Tag Type 2 *3 NFC Forum Tag Type 3 *4 NFC Forum Tag Type 4

Screenshots

NTAG 5 Explorer4 screens
NFC Read Write4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NTAG 5 Explorer at none against NFC Read Write's 4. NTAG 5 Explorer also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. NFC Read Write sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. NTAG 5 Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NTAG 5 Explorer ships an update daily, NFC Read Write every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NTAG 5 Explorer versus NFC Read Write: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNTAG 5 ExplorerNFC Read Write
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developermurbit GmbHSerialio Ltd.

In-app purchases

None

NTAG 5 Explorer

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

NFC Read Write

One-time4
  • Scanning more tags$9.99
  • Unlock SmartPoster writing$24.99
  • NDEF Text language$24.99
Show 1 more
  • MQTT Support$199.99

Questions

Is NTAG 5 Explorer free?
NTAG 5 Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NFC Read Write free?
NFC Read Write is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NTAG 5 Explorer or NFC Read Write have ads?
Neither NTAG 5 Explorer nor NFC Read Write shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NTAG 5 Explorer or NFC Read Write?
NTAG 5 Explorer ships an update daily, and NFC Read Write every 4 months. Most recently, NTAG 5 Explorer was updated on October 5, 2026 and NFC Read Write on June 4, 2026.

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