Smartcard Reader vs NFC Read Write
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.
NFC Read Write
Easily read and write NFC tags using your iPhone. Securely store encrypted records or unencrypted data like URLs, text, and contact information. Connect to Wi-Fi networks instantly without sharing passwords.
- Read and write NFC tags
- Write encrypted NFConnect records
- Write unencrypted NDEF data
- Store URLs, text, phone numbers, and more
- Join WiFi networks without passwords
- Supports various NFC tag types
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Read and Write NFC tags and inlays with iPhone built-in NFC. Write secure encrypted NFConnect records using Serialio.com NFConnect tags or inlays. Don't have NFC NFConnect tags or inlays? No problem. Write NFConnect records (un-encrypted) to any NDEF tag with sufficient memory. For encrypted NFConnect records In-App-Purchase option enables to write encrypted NFConnect records to many tag types that support NDEF. Use tags and inlays with NFConnect records to join WiFi network without giving out your WiFi password. Now your visitors, friends, business associates, etc. can connect to your WiFi network without knowing your WiFi password. Writes NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) data to all the NFC tag types shown above: tags, badges, wristbands, keyfobs, cups, plates, PPE (personal protection equipment), etc. Store URL/URI, Plain TEXT, Phone number, SMS, GEO Location, Email, Application, Business Card, and more. Also write RAW data (not formatted like NDEF). Note: NDEF/RAW data can be used by apps like iScanBrowser, Cloud-In-Hand stratus-io Attendance, Mobile Grid, SerialMagic Keys. Contact serialio.com for more information and to purchase NFC-RFID tags, inlays, wireless readers, software applications Starting with iPhone-11 and iOS 13, iPhone built-in NFC supports reading and writing many types of NFC tags and inlays. Some example NFC tag types are ISO-14443A(*1,2,4) tags like NXP NTAG213, NTAG215, NTAG216, Mifare Classic EV1, Mifare Ultralight (aka Mifare UL), Mifare DESFire, Mifare Plus-SE, Mifare Plus-S, Mifare Plus-X, my-d move - SLE66R01P, FM11RF08, ISO-14443B(*4) tags like AT88RF020, SR176, SRIX512, SRIX4K, and Sony FeliCa(*4) tags, and ISO-15693 tags like ICODE SLI, SLI-X, SLI-X2, Tag-It HF-I Plus. *1 NFC Forum Tag Type 1 *2 NFC Forum Tag Type 2 *3 NFC Forum Tag Type 3 *4 NFC Forum Tag Type 4
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smartcard Reader at none against NFC Read Write's 4. Smartcard Reader also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). On price, update cadence and ads 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. NFC Read Write sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Smartcard Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.
Smartcard Reader ships an update every 2 months, NFC Read Write every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smartcard Reader | NFC Read Write |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FEITIAN Technologies Co.,Ltd. | Serialio Ltd. |
In-app purchases
Smartcard Reader
No in-app purchases
NFC Read Write
- Scanning more tags$9.99
- Unlock SmartPoster writing$24.99
- NDEF Text language$24.99
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- MQTT Support$199.99
Questions
Is Smartcard Reader free?
Is NFC Read Write free?
Do Smartcard Reader or NFC Read Write have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smartcard Reader or NFC Read Write?
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