Comparison

Smartroam vs Hex NFC

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

Head to head
About

Smartroam

This app simplifies international travel by providing a permanent eSIM for seamless connectivity. It offers full-speed data, direct network access, and transparent pricing without hidden fees. Enjoy a hassle-free way to stay connected globally.

Highlights
  • Permanent eSIM installation
  • Full-speed 4G/5G data
  • Direct global network access
  • Enhanced security protocols
  • Transparent pricing
  • Data top-ups on demand
Read full description

Stop Switching. Stop Overpaying. Start Roaming Smarter. Travel should be about new experiences, not juggling eSIM profiles or hunting for decent Wi-Fi. SmartRoam is the first licensed Mobile Network Operator to launch a dedicated travel eSIM app—eliminating all the headaches that make other travel eSIMs a pain in the passport. The SmartRoam Advantage: • Download Once, Travel Forever – No more juggling multiple profiles or buying new SIMs for every trip • Full-Speed Data – Premium 4G/5G connectivity without throttling. Ever. • Direct Network Access – No middlemen marking up your data through our 600+ global network agreements • Enhanced Security – Protection protocols only a licensed MNO can provide • Transparent Pricing – No hidden fees or unexpected charges when you land How It Works: 1. Download the SmartRoam app 2. Install your permanent eSIM in seconds 3. Add data when you need it, wherever your journey takes you 4. Live your best-connected life from Austin to Zagreb Built by network experts with 130 years of combined telecom experience, we've stripped out the nonsense and made eSIMs work the way they should have from the beginning. We measure success by how quickly you forget you're using us—because connectivity should be the least interesting part of your journey.

About

Hex NFC

Read full description

The ultimate NFC toolkit, for FREE! Hex NFC brings the power of the iPhone's full capabilities to you in a professional-grade package for zero cost. Along with full support for practically every NFC chip currently available, Hex NFC also supports scanning of transit cards like PASMO/Suica and modern passport chips. We've gone to great lengths to utilise every capability the iPhone has to offer, to give users the one NFC app they'll ever need. Supported and tested on real silicon: - NTAG210μ, NTAG213, NTAG216, NTAG424 DNA - MIFARE Ultralight EV1, MIFARE Ultralight C - MIFARE DESFire EV3 - ICODE SLIX, ICODE SLIX2 - FeliCa (Japanese transit cards, PASMO/Suica) - eMRTD / ICAO 9303 (Modern passports) All other NFC chips of similar types (e.g. NTAG215) are tested on our own emulators, and are supported. We will confirm these on real silicon when chips become available. Confirmed Unsupported (iPhone can not scan): - MIFARE Classic EV1 The app allows you to perform essentially any action an NFC chip can receive including: - Read - Write records (Text, URL, Social Media Link, Search Engines, Files, Email, Contacts, Phone Number, Text Message, FaceTime, Map Location, Crypto Link, Wi-Fi Access) - Password Protect (Write only or full read/write), Incorrect Password Limits (permanent lock), 3DES and AES encryption - Memory Dump - Destructive & Irreversible Actions: Erase, Format, Permanent Lock - Advanced (APDU) Console for advanced users Quality of life features: - Pre-build a chip profile, then write it to as many cards as you need, one tap at a time - Save presets for later writes or overwrites - Review and reuse historical chip states - Lock and protection changes are checked by reading the chip back where possible, rather than trusting an ACK Warning: This app includes a number of dangerous features that could render your chip permanently disabled. They are clearly marked and warned against, you won't be able to do it by accident as they require you to input the chip's UID to perform. However we take no responsibility for unintentional or intentional damage to your chips. Use irreversible actions at your own risk.

Screenshots

Smartroam4 screens
Hex NFC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Smartroam at 13.0 against Hex NFC's 17.0. On price, ads, 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.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Smartroam versus Hex NFC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartroamHex NFC
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperManx Telecom LtdHex Pro

In-app purchases

None

Smartroam

No in-app purchases

None

Hex NFC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smartroam free?
Smartroam is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hex NFC free?
Hex NFC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Smartroam or Hex NFC have ads?
Neither Smartroam nor Hex NFC shows ads.

Other comparisons