Comparison

NFC21 Tools vs NFC Tools & RFID Scanner

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

Head to head
About

NFC21 Tools

Explore NFC technology with an advanced yet user-friendly toolset. Read, write, and manage NFC tags with support for various data types, including URLs, contacts, and Wi-Fi credentials. Organize your scanned tags with filters and access detailed information.

Highlights
  • Read and write NFC tags
  • Manage tag history with filters
  • Create standard, extended, and expert tag types
  • Support for URL, Phone, Email, SMS, FaceTime, and Shortcuts
  • Advanced options for Text, Address, Position, Contact, and Wi-Fi
  • Define custom data types (MIME-Type)
  • Share Bluetooth device IDs
Read full description

We love NFC, therefore we decided to develop our NFC21 tools. Our app offers you an advanced yet easy to use toolset to explore NFC with your iPhone. Reading as well as writing of NFC-tags is supported and wrapped in an attractive user interface. NFC21 tools greets you with a history view, which contains all NFC-Tags you have read or written. Additional filters enable you to narrow down the list to ‘Read’, ‘Written’, ‘Drafts’ or ‘Favorites’ only. Tap on an entry for more details like the serial number (uid), memory size, write lock as well as the stored content. Based on the latter, an available action is offered like opening a link in Safari or the import of v-cards into the Contacts app. Creation of own NFC-tags starts with the selection of a type. We differentiate three different types. First, the standard-type creates NFC-tags which are readable by newer iPhones (iPhone XS, XR or newer) without an additional app. Second, extended types which offer more advanced scenarios like sharing of locations, contacts or WIFI-credentials. These types require a suitable app (like NFC21 Tools or NFC21 Reader) to read and process the stored content. Lastly, the expert type allows the definition of own datatypes, which require suitable / custom apps to use them. In summary, NFC21 Tools support the following tag-types: Standard (usable without an app with iPhone XS, XR or newer): • URL: Share a link to a website with an NFC-tag. Long / complicated addresses are a problem of the past. • Phone number: Share a number with NFC – always right and directly dialable. • E-Mail: Prepare a message for a recipient, ready to send with a tap. • SMS: Create a short message for a predefined number, an optional text and ready to send in an instant. • FaceTime: Start a FaceTime conversation with a scan. • Shortcut: Execute a shortcut from the apple shortcuts app with a simple scan. Advanced (with App): • Text: Hide a text within an NFC-tag, waiting to be read by a scanning fellow. • Address: Prepare a location for maps to ease getting direction – complicated street names are not a problem anymore. • Position: Locate an exact position (treasure)? Store longitude and longitude for use in the maps app. • Contact: Make your business card smart and let others scan your data like magic. • WiFi: Share credentials and ease login with a tag scan. Expert: • Data: Allows to define custom data types (MIME-Type). • Bluetooth: Share Bluetooth device IDs for easier coupling. Recommended NFC-Tag types: • NXP NTAG 203, 213, 215, 216 Support and NFC-Tags The NFC21 Tools app is developed by the NFC21 GmbH. Do not hesitate to send feedback and feature requests to our support. We recommend NFC-Tags based on the NXP NTAG-Series. In our online-shop we offer you a broad selection of NFC-products in various shapes and colors. Furthermore, we produce custom NFC-products based on your individual requirements.

About

NFC Tools & RFID Scanner

This app allows you to read, write, and manage NFC and RFID tags with advanced features. It supports various tag types, offers deep tag data analysis, and enables writing standardized data like contact info, Wi-Fi, and URLs. It also includes QR code scanning and a Bluetooth-based finder for lost devices.

Highlights
  • Read and write NFC Forum tag types
  • Decode RFID/HID tags
  • Analyze tag data (manufacturer, memory, permissions)
  • Write standardized data (vCard, Wi-Fi, URLs)
  • Amiibo/TagMiibo cloning
  • QR and barcode generation/scanning
  • Bluetooth device finder
Features
Read full description

NFC Tools & RFID Scanner - writer & reader & tag Operate at 13.56 MHz with NFC Tools & RFID Scanner for seamless data exchange. This professional writer & reader & tag solution reads and writes all NFC Forum tag types (NTAG, Ultralight, DESFire, ICODE, ST25, FeliCa) and decodes RFID/HID tags—perfect for high-precision decode operations across multiple formats. Precision NFC Tag Management NFC Tools & RFID Scanner reveals deep tag data: manufacturer details, tag type (NTAG213, MIFARE Ultralight C, etc.), memory capacity, NDEF compatibility, serial numbers, protocol specs, and read/write permissions analysis. With NFC Tools & RFID Scanner, your reader & writer & tag toolkit unlocks professional-grade insights. Advanced Writing Capabilities As the ultimate writer & reader & tag app, NFC Tools & RFID Scanner writes standardized data compatible with every NFC device: contact sharing (vCard), Wi-Fi/Bluetooth configurations, geolocation coordinates, custom URLs and text, plus Amiibo/TagMiibo cloning and full MFC operations. Whether you’re a developer or hobbyist, NFC Tools & RFID Scanner has you covered. Expert NFC/RFID Features Inside NFC Tools & RFID Scanner you’ll find hex editing of full memory, NDEF formatting, tag locking, password protection, capacity alerts, and webhook integration for server data transfer. This reader & writer & tag powerhouse is built for pros. Broad Compatibility & Finder Function NFC Tools & RFID Scanner supports over 50 tag types (NTAG 213–216, 424 DNA, DESFire EV1–EV3, ICODE SLIX/SLIX2, FeliCa, ST25 series) on iPhone 7 and newer. Plus, NFC Tools & RFID Scanner solves “how to find airpods” scenarios with its Bluetooth-based finder—distance-alert technology helps you track down lost AirPods or any compatible device. QR & Document Suite Beyond NFC, NFC Tools & RFID Scanner generates and scans more than 20 QR and barcode formats (Aztec, PDF417, and others). From custom QR creation to instant scanning, this is the one-stop reader & writer & tag app. Why choose NFC Tools & RFID Scanner? Deep Amiibo/TagMiibo decode capabilities (“tagmiibo” support built in) MFC, RFID and HID tag compatibility for every format AirPod finder feature solves “find my airtag” and “find air” use cases Military-grade encryption and enterprise webhook integration Download NFC Tools & RFID Scanner today and unlock the full power of NFC and RFID. Terms: https://adappssoftware.com/terms-conditions Privacy: https://adappssoftware.com/privacy

Screenshots

NFC21 Tools4 screens
NFC Tools & RFID Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC21 Tools at none against NFC Tools & RFID Scanner's 8. NFC21 Tools also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (57% vs 28%). NFC Tools & RFID Scanner's advantage is ratings volume (327 vs 37) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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 Tools & RFID Scanner sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. NFC21 Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NFC21 Tools holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NFC Tools & RFID Scanner has 327 ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of NFC21 Tools's written reviews are positive against 28% of NFC Tools & RFID Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NFC21 Tools ships an update every 2 months, NFC Tools & RFID Scanner every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
NFC21 Tools versus NFC Tools & RFID Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC21 ToolsNFC Tools & RFID Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (37 ratings) — better4.4 (327 ratings)
Positive reviews56.6% of reviews — better27.8% of reviews
Number of ratings37327 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNFC21 GmbHADAPPS SOFTWARE

Customer experience

NFC21 Tools

All ratings32 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive56.6%
Neutral5.7%
Negative37.7%

NFC Tools & RFID Scanner

All ratings327 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive27.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative72.2%

In-app purchases

None

NFC21 Tools

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

NFC Tools & RFID Scanner

Subscriptions8
  • Monthly Unlimited Access$1.991 Month
  • NFC TOOLS Weekly Unlimited3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Monthly Premium$4.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Unlimited Annual Access$9.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Air NFC Tag Annual$19.991 Year
  • Air NFC Tag Annual$29.991 Year
  • Air NFC Tag Annual Trial3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is NFC21 Tools free?
NFC21 Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NFC Tools & RFID Scanner free?
NFC Tools & RFID Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NFC21 Tools or NFC Tools & RFID Scanner?
NFC21 Tools is rated higher. NFC21 Tools averages 4.7 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while NFC Tools & RFID Scanner averages 4.4 from 327 ratings.
Do NFC21 Tools or NFC Tools & RFID Scanner have ads?
NFC Tools & RFID Scanner shows ads; NFC21 Tools does not.
Which is updated more often, NFC21 Tools or NFC Tools & RFID Scanner?
NFC21 Tools ships an update every 2 months, and NFC Tools & RFID Scanner every 3 weeks. Most recently, NFC21 Tools was updated on October 21, 2026 and NFC Tools & RFID Scanner on October 21, 2026.

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