Sentinel vs TrustID Chip Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sentinel
Access and verify Network Rail Sentinel smartcards. Check your own card details or authenticate team members and conduct spot checks. Works online for real-time data or offline for card access and stored check history.
- Read Sentinel smartcards via NFC
- Scan QR codes for card data
- Verify cardholder information
- Authenticate team members
- Perform spot checks
- Check TVPs (Track Vacancy Permits)
- Offline access to card data
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This app is designed specifically to read Sentinel smartcards for Network Rail’s Sentinel system. It allows anyone to check their own Sentinel card and allows authorised card checkers to authenticate their team as well as undertake spot checks and check TVPs. When online, the app shows the most up to date information for each cardholder either by scanning the card’s QR code or by reading the details stored in the smartcard using NFC. Even without mobile internet access, the information stored on the card can still be accessed, any recently scanned card details can also be reviewed, and all checks will be stored and uploaded to the database when back online.
TrustID Chip Reader
Securely scan and verify the NFC chip embedded in your passport or ID card. This application provides a straightforward method for digital identity verification.
- Scan NFC chips
- Verify passport data
- Verify ID card data
- Secure scanning
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This TrustID app allows you to securely scan and verify the NFC chip in your passport or ID Card.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: TrustID Chip Reader at every 6 weeks against Sentinel's every 4 months. Sentinel's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sentinel ships an update every 4 months, TrustID Chip Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 8, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sentinel | TrustID Chip Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 1.7 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 9.8% of reviews | 12.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Reference Point Limited | TrustID Ltd. |
Customer experience
Sentinel
TrustID Chip Reader
Bugs and requests
Sentinel
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
TrustID Chip Reader
Reported bugs
13 issues- Passport chip scan fails repeatedly
- App not recognized even after download
- Camera not opening or showing a black screen
- Browser link does not redirect to the app
- App gets stuck on the welcome screen
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Camera not working even with permissions
- App loops back to download prompt
- QR code expired error
- App freezes
- Cannot upload photos of passport
- Camera fails after passport photo scan
- Stuck at scanning chip stage
- AI fails to recognize app is downloaded
Requested features
7 requests- Improve app stability and reliability
- Fix browser redirection issues
- Provide clear instructions for users
- Ensure app works with default browsers
- Make the app compatible with all devices and browsers
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Improve error message clarity
- Allow manual ID check as an alternative
In-app purchases
Sentinel
No in-app purchases
TrustID Chip Reader
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sentinel free?
Is TrustID Chip Reader free?
Do Sentinel or TrustID Chip Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sentinel or TrustID Chip Reader?
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