nRF Connect Device Manager vs NEARcom
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
nRF Connect Device Manager
This tool allows for the updating and management of devices running specific SDKs via Bluetooth LE. It supports features like firmware updates, file system access, and device reset.
- Firmware Update Over-The-Air (FOTA)
- File System Management
- Device Reset
- Logs & Stats
- Bluetooth LE Support
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nRF Connect Device Manager is a generic tool for updating and managing devices running nRF Connect SDK supporting Device Manager module over Bluetooth LE (aka Management Subsystem, Mcu Manager, Bare Metal, SMP Server, SUIT). Features: * Basic: Echo, Reset * Firmware Update Over-The-Air (FOTA, DFU) * File System * Logs & stats Links: Source code: https://github.com/NordicSemiconductor/IOS-nRF-Connect-Device-Manager * nRF Connect SDK: https://www.nordicsemi.com/Software-and-tools/Software/nRF-Connect-SDK * SMP Server Sample Doc: https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/zephyr/samples/subsys/mgmt/mcumgr/smp_svr/README.html#smp-svr-sample * McuManager: https://github.com/apache/mynewt-mcumgr * SMP over Bluetooth: https://github.com/apache/mynewt-mcumgr/blob/master/transport/smp-bluetooth.md
NEARcom
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The NEARcom app simplifies the integration of NEARcom-ready BACnet or Modbus devices. This user-friendly tool allows technicians to retrieve and modify network and device settings using just their smartphone equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC). What sets NEARcom apart is its ability to interface with and adjust device settings without needing to power them up. This feature enables network configuration changes right out of the box, before the devices are even installed. Traditionally, configuring BACnet devices required powering them up and navigating through complex display menus. With the NEARcom app, device configuration becomes quick, convenient, and intuitive.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: nRF Connect Device Manager at every 3 weeks against NEARcom's every 11 months. nRF Connect Device Manager also leads on chart position (#151 vs unranked). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
nRF Connect Device Manager ships an update every 3 weeks, NEARcom every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | nRF Connect Device Manager | NEARcom |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 11 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #151 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nordic Semiconductor ASA | Digital Control Systems |
In-app purchases
nRF Connect Device Manager
No in-app purchases
NEARcom
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is nRF Connect Device Manager free?
Is NEARcom free?
Do nRF Connect Device Manager or NEARcom have ads?
Which is updated more often, nRF Connect Device Manager or NEARcom?
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