Smartcard Reader vs Smart Card Utility
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Smartcard Reader
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The new App named iReader App which supports all Feitian mobile readers on iOS, here is a list: iR301, bR301, bR301BLE, bR500 https://www.ftsafe.com/Products/reader iReader App support to communication with this reader with your card, contactless and contact card. also, it takes private functions for readers, like get the serial number, reader ID, Bluetooth ID, reader name, model name, manufacturer and so on. The iReader App is a reference App, which shows you how to use our API through reader do communication with your card and get your data from the card. based on this reference App, you can be based on our code to write your own App, for example, you can integrate card reader with your solution, to do payment, authentication, identification, and private network access. Technical reminder: iR301 and bR301 reader using the same SDK under iOS, since they are both accordances with iAP1 and iAP2 protocol which made by Apple, both using the External Accessory Framework. So you will need to add below protocol string into your App. External Accessory Protocol: - com.ftsafe.iR301 - com.ftsafe.bR301 bR301BLE and bR500 using Bluetooth Smart technology, apply Bluetooth 4.0 interface as a communication channel to connect with Phones. You can find the source code from Github, link below: https://github.com/FeitianSmartcardReader/FEITIAN_MOBILE_READERS Other comments: 1. The iReader App only support one reader 2. Auto Pair only work for bR301BLE and bR500, since these device using Bluetooth Smart technology 3. To export the App log, please using iTunes export the log, the log will help us to check your issues with your reader and cards.
Smart Card Utility
Access secure government and military websites on your iPhone or iPad using your PIV-enabled smart card. Log in quickly to Office 365, Webmail, Teams, and more, eliminating the need for a laptop.
- Smart card authentication for O365, Webmail, Teams
- Access CAC protected websites via Safari
- Fast login on iPhone and iPad
- Supports PIV, CACv2/ECA, and PKCS15 cards
- Compatible with various smart card readers
- Access military and civilian web sites
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CAC Smart Card Access to O365, Webmail, Teams, and Much More Smart Card Utility enables smart card authentication to Office 365, Webmail, Teams, and most other CAC protected websites via Safari. Just plug in your existing PIV-enabled smart card and log in. Smart Card Utility is used by members of Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, Coast Guard, and other military/government employees to access CAC protected websites on their iPhone or iPad. Login and Get to Work Fast! Forget about waiting for 20 minute for your laptop to boot up, log in and launch apps. Using your iPhone and iPad and Smart Card Utility, it takes seconds to turn on and access websites, Teams, Office 365 and more using your CAC smart card. Login fast with your CAC card and Smart Card Utility Readers for iOS and iPhone. Smart Card Authentication Wherever You Are Forget about waiting to get back to your laptop to check your email, verify your paycheck, take a course, or respond to a message on Teams. Smart Card Utility makes it simple to use the device you have with you to keep you connected. Simply insert your CAC into the reader and you are ready to access the resources where ever you are. Check Your Email and So Much More Leave your laptop behind and stop waiting in line to check your email on a shared PC. Use your smart card right on your iPhone or iPad to access your web mail using your CAC or PIV card. Smart Card Utility has been tested and is compatible with the most common military and civilian web sites, including: mypay.dfas.mil (myPay) www.defensetravel.osd.mil (Defense Travel System/DTS) jkodirect.jten.mil (JKO Learning Management) Office 365 (o365) owa.us.af.mil (webmail) www.tricare.mil (Tricare Health Care) www.dau.edu (DAU Defense Acquisition University) owa.us.af.mil (webmail) Microsoft Teams (web) MAX.gov Okta PIV Microsoft Azure Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Amazon Web Services (AWS) Supported Readers: All Smart Card readers from Twocanoes Software. Feitian br301 Bluetooth Reader Feitian iR301 Lightning Reader Feitian iR301 USB-C Reader Certgate AirID 2 Bluetooth Contact Smart Card Reader USB-C wired readers supported by iOS 16 or later. Supported Card: PIV CACv2/ECA (see https://public.cyber.mil/eca/ for more infomation) PKCS15 (Country-specific cards, healthcare cards and national ID cards) EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smartcard Reader at none against Smart Card Utility's 4. Smartcard Reader also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. Smart Card Utility sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Smartcard Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smartcard Reader | Smart Card Utility |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 3.0 (60 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 38.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 60 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FEITIAN Technologies Co.,Ltd. | Twocanoes Software, Inc. |
Bugs and requests
Smartcard Reader
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Smart Card Utility
Reported bugs
17 issues- Device will not connect to newer iPhones
- PIN suddenly won't work
- Does not see SCR 3310 card reader
- Bluetooth reader bug on macOS
- New update broke BT read on iOS
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Reproducible bug with Bluetooth reader and macOS Sonoma
- Reader not showing up in app
- Limited trial is very limited
- iOS 16 with SCR3310 Non-functional
- App sees reader, but cannot detect smart card
- Reader could not be verified
- App detects reader, but reader does not detect card
- Broken in Big Sur
- App opens but closes or prompts for purchase on Big Sur
- BigSur Doesnt Work
- Big Sur Bricked it
- Doesn't work in Big Sur
Requested features
3 requests- Support for more CAC enabled sites
- Show cert chain graphically
- Support alphanumeric+symbols PINs
In-app purchases
Smartcard Reader
No in-app purchases
Smart Card Utility
- 3rd Party Readers Support$2.991 Month
- Smart Card Utility$49.99
- Smart Card Utility Mobile$49.99
- Third Party Readers$49.99
Questions
Is Smartcard Reader free?
Is Smart Card Utility free?
Do Smartcard Reader or Smart Card Utility have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smartcard Reader or Smart Card Utility?
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