Comparison

Barcode Essentials vs NFC Tools

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

Head to head
About

Barcode Essentials

Features
Read full description

Barcode Essentials for Symantec Management Platform gives you instant access to your favourite asset management workflows on your iPhone, iPad, iPad mini or iPod touch. Just login, sync and go. • All-in-one: The built-in camera is a fully integrated barcode scanner • Mobile: Sync wirelessly then create, view or update any asset in the field • Powerful: Design custom templates to let you work with data your way • Efficient: Set details once then scan, scan, scan in bulk • Intuitive: Work with assets by name, barcode, serial number or other properties • Error free: Save time and avoid errors by scanning barcodes directly into data fields • Integrated: Use your existing Symantec Management Console credentials QUICK START: Tap "Use Demo Server" when prompted to access a free, public server with data that helps you explore the app. For a tour of the main features of the app, you can use the following demo scenarios: • Receiving to Stock Room The moment new assets enter the organisation is the right time to scan and identify them, and mark their location and status before distributing them to stockroom or to users. This can be performed by using the Receiving flow. This can be seen in the following demo scenario. https://www.barcodeessentials.com/Portals/0/BCE-TSS-Demo-Scenario-2- Combined-120503.pdf • Checking out items and Assigning to Owners Assets are then checked out from Stock Room and made available for distribution within the organization simply by scanning and updating their location and status. Once an asset is delivered to its intended user, its owner property can be updated or confirmed for accurate reporting and cost center allocation. This can be performed by using the Quick Scan flow. This can be seen in the following demo scenario. https://www.barcodeessentials.com/Portals/0/BCE-TSS-Demo-Scenario-1-120503.pdf • Searching an Asset Get access to your asset inventory from the palm of your hand. This can be performed by using the Search flow. This can be seen in the following demo scenario. https://www.barcodeessentials.com/Portals/0/BCE-TSS-Demo-Scenario-3-120503.pdf REQUIREMENTS: Barcode Essentials Solution must be installed on your Symantec Management Platform server for the app to synchronize. Barcode Essentials Solution is available as a free down from our website. Contact us at support@barcodeessentials.com for more details.

About

NFC Tools

This app allows you to read, write, and copy data to NFC tags. Secure your tags by locking them or setting passwords. It supports various tag types and keeps a history of your interactions.

Highlights
  • Read NFC tag data
  • Write various information to tags
  • Copy tag contents
  • Lock tags for permanent write protection
  • Set passwords for tag security
  • View tag history
Features
Read full description

NFC Reader & Writer - your all-in-one tool for scanning, reading, and writing NFC tags. Mobile App designed for users to read, write, and transfer data seamlessly with Near-field communication-enabled devices. NFC Tools: Reader, Scanner Tag Features: - Read Tag: Instantly scan and view tag data (NDEF, URLs, text, contacts & more). - Write Tag: Directly write multiple types of information to tag: web links, text, Wi-Fi credentials, business cards, and more. - Tag Copy: Transfer information from one tag to another in seconds. - Block Tag: Ability to lock tags to write permanently. - Set Password: Set a password to protect the information. - Secure Writing: Lock and protect NFC tags after writing to prevent overwriting. - Tag historry: Keep track of recently scanned or written tags. Supported Tag Types: NDEF-formatted tags including NTAG, MIFARE, and more. - SUBSCRIPTION INFO - Offers auto-renewal subscription options: - 1 week ( auto-renewal ) - 1 month ( auto-renewal ) - 1 year ( auto-renewal ) *Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. *Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. *Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. *Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. *Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x-ejZzRodFlJKyrl9AmRx1XjL1TNsmcKQT7C9xo-9Os/ Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1elH8vXkxLAQYFcZFqvP1AiT6sGbEo9jS8svCyUvyjwQ/ Thanks for reading

Screenshots

Barcode Essentials4 screens
NFC Tools3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Essentials at none against NFC Tools's 2. Barcode Essentials also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). NFC Tools's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months). On price 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. NFC Tools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Barcode Essentials asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Barcode Essentials ships an update every 6 months, NFC Tools monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Barcode Essentials versus NFC Tools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarcode EssentialsNFC Tools
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.5 (113 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—113 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBARCODE ESSENTIALS PTY LTDVictor Bujanivskiy

In-app purchases

None

Barcode Essentials

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

NFC Tools

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Access$6.997 Days
  • Annual Access$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Barcode Essentials free?
Barcode Essentials is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NFC Tools free?
NFC Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Barcode Essentials or NFC Tools have ads?
NFC Tools shows ads; Barcode Essentials does not.
Which is updated more often, Barcode Essentials or NFC Tools?
Barcode Essentials ships an update every 6 months, and NFC Tools monthly. Most recently, Barcode Essentials was updated on October 3, 2026 and NFC Tools on October 11, 2026.

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