# Smartcard Reader vs Smart Card Inspector for PIV

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smartcard Reader at none against Smart Card Inspector for PIV's 1. Smartcard Reader also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). Smart Card Inspector for PIV's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Card Inspector for PIV sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Smartcard Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Smartcard Reader ships an update every 2 months, Smart Card Inspector for PIV monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smartcard Reader | Smart Card Inspector for PIV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Size | 3 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FEITIAN Technologies Co.,Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/398121823) | [3D Space Works](https://appshunter.io/developer/1880351617) |

## What reviewers say

### Smartcard Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartcard-reader/id525954151)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Smart Card Inspector for PIV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-card-inspector-for-piv/id6759722547)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version Unlock | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smartcard Reader free?

Smartcard Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smart Card Inspector for PIV free?

Smart Card Inspector for PIV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Smartcard Reader or Smart Card Inspector for PIV have ads?

Neither Smartcard Reader nor Smart Card Inspector for PIV shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Smartcard Reader or Smart Card Inspector for PIV?

Smartcard Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Smart Card Inspector for PIV monthly. Most recently, Smartcard Reader was updated on October 27, 2026 and Smart Card Inspector for PIV on October 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*