Maintenance by Socket Mobile vs NFC Read Write
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Maintenance by Socket Mobile
This utility app allows users to upgrade the firmware on Socket Mobile Bluetooth LE NFC readers and barcode scanners. It provides information on current and available firmware, device statistics, and configuration settings. Designed for advanced users, it facilitates essential maintenance for compatible hardware.
- Firmware upgrade
- Display firmware information
- Device statistics
- Device configuration
- Identify reader
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Maintenance by Socket Mobile implements the user interface to upgrade firmware of Socket Mobile Bluetooth LE NFC reader/writer, barcode scanners and perform other maintenance functions. Supported Functionality 1. Display operating firmware (GATT information) 2. Display firmware available for download 3. Perform firmware upgrade (download and flash instructions) 4. Display device statistics (no user information is shared) 5. Display device configuration information 6. Identify this reader This app is intended for advanced users. For questions and help, please contact support@socketmobile.com The Socket NFC readers which combines the latest 13.56 MHz contactless technology with Bluetooth 5 connectivity. They supports ISO 14443 Type A and B smart cards, ISO 15693 tags, MIFARE®, FeliCa®, and most NFC tags and devices compliant with ISO 18092 standard. The Countertop product supports two Bluetooth profiles: HID Keyboard Emulation (for native App support) and App Mode (for custom App development using our CaptureSDK). Please visit https://www.socketmobile.com for additional product information. CaptureSDK information is available at https://www.socketmobile.com/developers
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Maintenance by Socket Mobile at 5.0 against NFC Read Write's 4.5. Maintenance by Socket Mobile also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and device support (3 vs 1). NFC Read Write's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 21 months). On price, ratings volume, ads 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
Both are free to download. NFC Read Write sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Maintenance by Socket Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.
Maintenance by Socket Mobile holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
Maintenance by Socket Mobile ships an update every 21 months, NFC Read Write every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Maintenance by Socket Mobile | NFC Read Write |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Socket Mobile | Serialio Ltd. |
Customer experience
Maintenance by Socket Mobile
NFC Read Write
In-app purchases
Maintenance by Socket Mobile
No in-app purchases
NFC Read Write
- Scanning more tags$9.99
- Unlock SmartPoster writing$24.99
- NDEF Text language$24.99
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- MQTT Support$199.99
Questions
Is Maintenance by Socket Mobile free?
Is NFC Read Write free?
Which has better reviews, Maintenance by Socket Mobile or NFC Read Write?
Do Maintenance by Socket Mobile or NFC Read Write have ads?
Which is updated more often, Maintenance by Socket Mobile or NFC Read Write?
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