Comparison

nRF Device Firmware Update vs Pathwave Allower

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

Head to head
About

nRF Device Firmware Update

This application enables Over-The-Air Device Firmware Upgrade (OTA-DFU) for nRF5 devices using Bluetooth LE. It supports updating firmware in .zip format, prepared with the 'nrf util' tool.

Highlights
  • Over-The-Air Device Firmware Upgrade (OTA-DFU)
  • Bluetooth LE connectivity
  • Supports nRF5x Series chips
  • Updates Secure or Legacy DFU bootloaders
  • Requires .zip firmware format
  • Uses 'nrf util' for firmware preparation
Features
Read full description

The nRF5x Series chips are flash-based SoCs, and as such they represent the most flexible solution available. A key feature of the nRF5x Series and their associated software architecture and S-Series SoftDevices is the possibility for Over-The-Air Device Firmware Upgrade (OTA-DFU) over Bluetooth LE. The DFU application allows to update nRF5 devices using Secure or Legacy DFU bootloader from nRF5 SDK version 4.3 or newer. The firmware should be in .zip file format, prepared using "nrf util" (https://github.com/NordicSemiconductor/pc-nrfutil).

About

Pathwave Allower

Features
Read full description

Pathwave.io is a trust layer for AI-driven payments. It ensures that no transaction happens without your explicit approval, keeping you in control while allowing automation to work for you. Key Features: * Real-time notifications – Get instant alerts when an AI or automation requests a payment. * One-tap approvals or rejections – Decide in seconds whether to allow or deny a transaction. * Custom authorization rules – Set thresholds and policies (e.g. auto-approve small amounts, require approval for larger ones). * Audit trail – Track all past requests and decisions with clear records for compliance. * Secure and simple – Designed with privacy and enterprise-level security in mind. With Pathwave, your AI automations can operate freely, but never spend without your say. Simple principle: AI asks, you approve.

Screenshots

nRF Device Firmware Update3 screens
Pathwave Allower4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pathwave Allower at every 11 days against nRF Device Firmware Update's every 9 months. Pathwave Allower also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). nRF Device Firmware Update's advantage is chart position (#131 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 Device Firmware Update ships an update every 9 months, Pathwave Allower every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
nRF Device Firmware Update versus Pathwave Allower: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameternRF Device Firmware UpdatePathwave Allower
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#131 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNordic Semiconductor ASAFelipe Tonon

In-app purchases

None

nRF Device Firmware Update

No in-app purchases

None

Pathwave Allower

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is nRF Device Firmware Update free?
nRF Device Firmware Update is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pathwave Allower free?
Pathwave Allower is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do nRF Device Firmware Update or Pathwave Allower have ads?
Neither nRF Device Firmware Update nor Pathwave Allower shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nRF Device Firmware Update or Pathwave Allower?
nRF Device Firmware Update ships an update every 9 months, and Pathwave Allower every 11 days. Most recently, nRF Device Firmware Update was updated on September 25, 2026 and Pathwave Allower on September 17, 2026.

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