# MBL ESS vs NFC Tools

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MBL ESS at none against NFC Tools's 7. MBL ESS also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NFC Tools sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. MBL ESS asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MBL ESS | NFC Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.5 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-tools-tag-writer-reader/id6751319278/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **42** |
| Positive reviews | — | 10.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 29 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Solutions time](https://appshunter.io/developer/1483325864) | [Data Factor SIA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1834607447) |

## What reviewers say

### MBL ESS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mbl-ess/id6502590777)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### NFC Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfc-tools-tag-writer-reader/id6751319278)

Easily read, write, and manage NFC tags. Scan tags, erase data, and write various formats like URLs, text, and contacts. Offers advanced features like locking and password protection for secure control.

**Highlights:** Read NFC tags, Write various data formats, Erase tag data, Lock tags irreversibly, Set tag passwords, Manage NFC workflows

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly-Trial | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MBL ESS free?

MBL ESS 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 MBL ESS or NFC Tools have ads?

Neither MBL ESS nor NFC Tools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MBL ESS or NFC Tools?

MBL ESS ships an update every 3 weeks, and NFC Tools every 3 weeks. Most recently, MBL ESS was updated on October 25, 2026 and NFC Tools 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.*