Comparison

nRF Connect Device Manager vs NEARcom

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Firmware Update Over-The-Air (FOTA)
  • File System Management
  • Device Reset
  • Logs & Stats
  • Bluetooth LE Support
Read full description

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

About

NEARcom

Read full description

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

nRF Connect Device Manager4 screens
NEARcom4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
nRF Connect Device Manager versus NEARcom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameternRF Connect Device ManagerNEARcom
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#151 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNordic Semiconductor ASADigital Control Systems

In-app purchases

None

nRF Connect Device Manager

No in-app purchases

None

NEARcom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is nRF Connect Device Manager free?
nRF Connect Device Manager is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NEARcom free?
NEARcom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do nRF Connect Device Manager or NEARcom have ads?
Neither nRF Connect Device Manager nor NEARcom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nRF Connect Device Manager or NEARcom?
nRF Connect Device Manager ships an update every 3 weeks, and NEARcom every 11 months. Most recently, nRF Connect Device Manager was updated on September 23, 2026 and NEARcom on September 19, 2026.

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