Comparison

Smartcard Reader vs Card Lookup

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

Head to head
About

Smartcard Reader

Features
Read full description

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.

About

Card Lookup

This utility app uses on-device AI and computer vision to extract credit or debit card details like card number, expiry date, and cardholder name from an image. It prioritizes data privacy and security by processing information locally on your device.

Highlights
  • On-device AI processing
  • Extracts card number, expiry, and name
  • Uses Apple's computer vision
  • Prioritizes data privacy
  • Simple camera scanning
Features
Read full description

Card Lookup is a native iOS on-device AI based solution that extracts the 16 digit card number, card expiry and card holder's name from the given front side of a credit or debit card. The AI engine uses the cutting edge computer vision framework from Apple along with custom trained CoreML model for precise landmark detection. The system also makes use of the Natural Language framework from Apple for identifying person names . The on-device AI engine ensures data privacy and security. Simply place the camera on the card and tap scan.

Screenshots

Smartcard Reader4 screens
Card Lookup4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Smartcard Reader at none against Card Lookup's shown. Smartcard Reader also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, 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

Smartcard Reader ships an update every 2 months, Card Lookup every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Smartcard Reader versus Card Lookup: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartcard ReaderCard Lookup
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFEITIAN Technologies Co.,Ltd.Pratheesh Bennet

In-app purchases

None

Smartcard Reader

No in-app purchases

None

Card Lookup

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smartcard Reader free?
Smartcard Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Card Lookup free?
Card Lookup is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Smartcard Reader or Card Lookup have ads?
Card Lookup shows ads; Smartcard Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Smartcard Reader or Card Lookup?
Smartcard Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Card Lookup every 6 months. Most recently, Smartcard Reader was updated on October 16, 2026 and Card Lookup on October 10, 2026.

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