Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Firmware upgrade
  • Display firmware information
  • Device statistics
  • Device configuration
  • Identify reader
Features
Read full description

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

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

Maintenance by Socket Mobile4 screens
NFC Read Write4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Maintenance by Socket Mobile versus NFC Read Write: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMaintenance by Socket MobileNFC Read Write
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 21 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSocket MobileSerialio Ltd.

Customer experience

Maintenance by Socket Mobile

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

NFC Read Write

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Maintenance by Socket Mobile

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 Maintenance by Socket Mobile free?
Maintenance by Socket Mobile 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.
Which has better reviews, Maintenance by Socket Mobile or NFC Read Write?
Maintenance by Socket Mobile is rated higher. Maintenance by Socket Mobile averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while NFC Read Write averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Maintenance by Socket Mobile or NFC Read Write have ads?
Neither Maintenance by Socket Mobile nor NFC Read Write shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Maintenance by Socket Mobile or NFC Read Write?
Maintenance by Socket Mobile ships an update every 21 months, and NFC Read Write every 4 months. Most recently, Maintenance by Socket Mobile was updated on September 22, 2026 and NFC Read Write on June 4, 2026.

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