Comparison

BLESerial nRF vs Authenticator by Hottub

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

Head to head
About

BLESerial nRF

This app provides a direct serial terminal connection to Nordic nRF52 Bluetooth Low Energy boards. It allows for real-time command sending and data reception without cables or adapters. Features include device scanning, a smooth scrolling console, and smart alerts for specific data patterns.

Highlights
  • Real-time data transfer
  • Device scanning and connection
  • Customizable console view
  • Smart data alerts
  • Configurable UUIDs
  • Bluetooth explorer
Features
Read full description

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 — no cables, no adapters, no fuss. This free version is identical to the Pro version, except it does not include Functions (custom send buttons and toggle switches) and only works with Nordic nRF52 modules — not CC254x boards such as the HM-10. 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 — 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 — 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. Features: • Fully customisable console view, with options like: - Display format (ASCII, Hex, Dec, etc.) - Line numbers and timestamps - Newline behaviour - Style (code or chat) and sound effects • Send data how it suits you: - In different formats (ASCII, Hex, Dec, etc.) - With or without newline/carriage return character at the end - All at once or in chunks (to accommodate for processing time) • Completely functional bluetooth explorer included! Find out the services, descriptors and other properties of any bluetooth device in range • "Send on Connect" option, to send a preset message after pairing • "Auto Reconnect" option, to reconnect automatically to the previous device • Easily copy or share the sent and received messages • Editable service/characteristic UUIDs to connect to • Read/Write characteristic UUIDs can be set separately • Easy to use minimalist layout

About

Authenticator by Hottub

Features
Read full description

Authenticator by Hottub is a free two-factor authenticator for iPhone and Apple Watch. It makes the one-time codes that protect your accounts, keeps your setup keys encrypted on your iPhone, and moves with you through encrypted backups. No ads, no tracking, and no account required. ADD ANY ACCOUNT THAT SUPPORTS 2FA Turn on two-factor authentication for any website or app that offers an authenticator app, then scan its QR code or type its setup key. Authenticator by Hottub makes standard time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), the six- or eight-digit codes almost every service uses. MOVE FROM GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR IN ONE SCAN Export your accounts from Google Authenticator, then scan the QR codes or pick the screenshots from your photo library. Large exports that span several QR codes are fine. You review every account on your iPhone before anything is added, and duplicates are skipped. FIND THE RIGHT CODE FAST Search by service, account or group, keep favorites at the top, and tap a code to copy it. A countdown shows when each code changes, and VoiceOver reads codes digit by digit. ENCRYPTED, AND HIDDEN WHEN IT SHOULD BE Setup keys live in an encrypted vault on your iPhone. Turn on app lock to require Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Codes stay hidden in the app switcher, during screen recording, mirroring and AirPlay. BACKUPS YOU CONTROL Make an encrypted backup locked with a passphrase only you know, and restore every account on a new iPhone in a minute. Hottub can never open it. Encrypted cloud backup is optional when you connect a Hottub account. APPROVE SIGN-INS WITH NUMBER MATCHING Connect a Hottub account and approve Hottub sign-ins from your phone or Apple Watch. To approve, tap the number shown on the screen you're signing in on; a wrong number blocks the sign-in. Approving needs Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Deny is always one tap, and "This wasn't me" reports a sign-in you didn't start. WORKS WITH THE SERVICES YOU USE Any service that offers "authenticator app" sign-in works, including Google, Microsoft, Proton, Amazon, GitHub, Dropbox, Discord, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, X, Slack, Coinbase, Binance and your company's single sign-on. SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 codes and 30- or 60-second periods are supported. APPLE WATCH The Apple Watch companion shows Hottub sign-in requests and lets you approve one by tapping the matching number, or deny it, right from your wrist. Setup keys, codes and backups never leave your iPhone. HOTTUB DEVICES If you own supported Hottub devices, Authenticator by Hottub shows the exact operation, the devices it targets and when it expires before you confirm it with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Your confirmation covers that one request only; safety checks stay on the device. PRIVATE BY DESIGN The authenticator works signed out and offline. Your setup keys are never uploaded unless you turn on encrypted cloud backup, and Hottub cannot read them even then. WHAT YOU GET - TOTP codes for any service that supports authenticator apps - QR scanner, setup-key entry, and Google Authenticator import from camera or screenshots - Search, favorites, groups, countdowns and tap-to-copy - Encrypted vault with optional Face ID, Touch ID or passcode lock - Codes hidden from screen recording, mirroring and the app switcher - Encrypted backup and restore to a new iPhone, locked by your passphrase - Optional Hottub sign-in approvals with number matching, on iPhone and Apple Watch - Owner confirmation for supported Hottub devices, with the exact operation shown before you approve - Free, with no ads and no tracking GOOD TO KNOW - Codes depend on your iPhone's clock. Keep "Set Automatically" on in Settings > General > Date & Time. - Turn on app lock if anyone else ever uses your iPhone. - Write down your backup passphrase. Nobody, including Hottub, can recover it. - Keep your services' recovery codes somewhere safe, as you would with any authenticator.

Screenshots

BLESerial nRF4 screens
Authenticator by Hottub4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Authenticator by Hottub at every 6 weeks against BLESerial nRF's every 6 months. BLESerial nRF's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). 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

BLESerial nRF ships an update every 6 months, Authenticator by Hottub every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
BLESerial nRF versus Authenticator by Hottub: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBLESerial nRFAuthenticator by Hottub
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEd NieuwenhuysHottub

In-app purchases

None

BLESerial nRF

No in-app purchases

None

Authenticator by Hottub

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BLESerial nRF free?
BLESerial nRF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Authenticator by Hottub free?
Authenticator by Hottub is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BLESerial nRF or Authenticator by Hottub have ads?
Neither BLESerial nRF nor Authenticator by Hottub shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BLESerial nRF or Authenticator by Hottub?
BLESerial nRF ships an update every 6 months, and Authenticator by Hottub every 6 weeks. Most recently, BLESerial nRF was updated on October 9, 2026 and Authenticator by Hottub on October 16, 2026.

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