Comparison

BLESerial nRF vs Step Timer

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

Head to head
About

BLESerial nRF

Features
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The dedicated serial terminal for Nordic nRF52 Bluetooth Low Energy boards. BLE Serial nRF52 connects your iPhone or iPad directly to any nRF52-based device and lets you send commands and receive data in real time โ€” no cables, no adapters, no fuss. Built specifically for the nRF52 UART service (6E400001), it works out of the box with popular nRF52 development boards and custom firmware alike. **CONNECT IN SECONDS** Scan for nearby nRF52 devices and see their name, advertised services, manufacturer data, and live signal strength at a glance. Tap to connect. Auto-reconnect brings you straight back to your device every time you open the app. **SERIAL CONSOLE** A smooth scrolling console displays all incoming and outgoing data, with sent text highlighted for easy reading. Adjust font size, line endings, and display format (ASCII or hex) to suit your workflow. **SMART ALERTS** Set text patterns to watch for in incoming data. When a match is found, the app notifies you immediately โ€” ideal for monitoring autonomous devices or catching error conditions. **FULLY CONFIGURABLE** The service and characteristic UUIDs can be adjusted in Settings for custom nRF52 firmware. Supports both standard and 128-bit UUIDs. **CLEAN AND FOCUSED** No ads. No subscriptions. No unnecessary permissions. Just a fast, reliable connection to your nRF52 hardware. **WANT MORE?** Check out BLE Serial Pro โ€” it adds programmable one-tap command buttons, supports HM-10 and CC2541 in the same app, and shows a live console strip so you can see device responses without switching views.

About

Step Timer

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Step Timer is your effortless companion for running timers in a sequence, one after another automatically. Whether you're working out, studying, cooking, or conducting experiments, Step Timer helps you move through your routine smoothly and without distractions. Set - Start - Sail: - Set the timers you need - Start the sequence - Sail through your tasks Key Features: - Create a sequence of timers with custom durations and names - Timers run one after another automatically - Get notified with sound and vibration when each timer ends - Simple and clean design for easy use - Pause, resume, or skip timers anytime during the session Ideal For: - Workouts, stretching, or circuit training - Study sessions and time-blocking - Cooking multi-step meals - Scientific experiments with timed steps - Meditation, breathing, and self-care routines - Any activity that requires step-by-step timing No resets. No interruptions. Just set it, start it, and sail through your steps. Step Timer makes step-by-step timing effortless. Legal: Terms of Use - https://steptimer.immadisairaj.dev/terms-of-use Privacy Policy - https://steptimer.immadisairaj.dev/privacy-policy

Screenshots

BLESerial nRF3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BLESerial nRF at none against Step Timer's 3. BLESerial nRF also leads on device support. On price and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Step Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. BLESerial nRF asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
BLESerial nRF versus Step Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBLESerial nRFStep Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsโ€”
AdsNoโ€”
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betterโ€”
Requires iOS15.614.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size5 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEd NieuwenhuysSai Rajendra Immadi

In-app purchases

None

BLESerial nRF

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Step Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Step Timer Pro Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly Subscription$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is BLESerial nRF free?
BLESerial nRF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Step Timer free?
Step Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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