Comparison

RID Scanner vs Drone Scanner (gen.2)

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

Head to head
About

RID Scanner

Features
Read full description

Accurate Detection: Based on WiFi Remote ID technology, it can quickly and accurately detect surrounding drones equipped with Remote ID function. Bluetooth Connection: Connect to professional detection devices via Bluetooth to enhance detection distance and sensitivity. Real-time monitoring: Real-time display of detected drone information, including location, speed, return point, altitude and more. Privacy Protection: Effectively identify potential privacy risks and protect your personal space. Security Alert: Detect abnormal drone activities in time to enhance security prevention capability. Easy to operate: Friendly interface, easy to operate, no need for specialized knowledge to use.

About

Drone Scanner (gen.2)

Transform your iPhone into a real-time drone detection tool. See nearby drones, monitor their activity, and gain visibility into the skies. Enhance detection range with an optional dedicated hardware detector.

Highlights
  • Real-time drone detection
  • Monitor drone activity
  • Display pilot location
  • Map and list view
  • Supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning
  • Compatible with Remote ID regulations
Features
Read full description

Drone Scanner by Dronetag transforms your iPhone into a real-time drone detection tool, allowing you to see what’s flying nearby, monitor drone activity, and gain visibility into the skies from your pocket. You can scan drones using your mobile device or connect to a Dronetag RIDER, our dedicated drone detector with significantly greater range. RIDER can detect drones up to 5 km (3 mi) away with its default antenna and up to 10 km (6 mi) with a directional antenna. New in the next-generation Drone Scanner: 
- A completely redesigned interface and an intuitive scans list - Recent scans are stored locally on your phone and can be exported to open formats - Scan using Dronetag RIDER for enhanced range and Wi-Fi scanning support on iPhones
 
Core Features: 
 - Detect drones using Bluetooth 4, Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi Beacon, and Wi-Fi NAN 
 - Display pilot location (if available) 
 - Monitor height, direction, and operation type 
 - Browse nearby drones on a map or in list view 
 - Compatible with EU, US, and Japanese Remote ID regulations 
 - Developed by Dronetag, a global leader in drone Remote ID solutions  Feature availability depends on your device and OS limitations. iOS restricts access to certain Wi-Fi channels - only Bluetooth-based scanning may work. If you're using Drone Scanner on an iOS device, some drones that transmit their identification data via Wi-Fi may not be visible to you. This is a system-level restriction, not a bug in the app.    How It Works:  Remote ID is a feature that transmits identification and flight data from drones using wireless signals like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Manufacturers implement this in different ways, using various technologies. Drone Scanner captures these signals using your phone’s built-in hardware - or via the Dronetag RIDER for extended detection range and higher reliability.

Screenshots

RID Scanner4 screens
Drone Scanner (gen.2)3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: RID Scanner at every 9 days against Drone Scanner (gen.2)'s every 5 weeks. Drone Scanner (gen.2)'s advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.2). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RID Scanner ships an update every 9 days, Drone Scanner (gen.2) every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 6, 2026 and July 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RID Scanner versus Drone Scanner (gen.2): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRID ScannerDrone Scanner (gen.2)
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.215.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChangsha Raspberry Information Technology Limited Co., Ltd.Dronetag s.r.o.

In-app purchases

None

RID Scanner

No in-app purchases

None

Drone Scanner (gen.2)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RID Scanner free?
RID Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Drone Scanner (gen.2) free?
Drone Scanner (gen.2) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do RID Scanner or Drone Scanner (gen.2) have ads?
Neither RID Scanner nor Drone Scanner (gen.2) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RID Scanner or Drone Scanner (gen.2)?
RID Scanner ships an update every 9 days, and Drone Scanner (gen.2) every 5 weeks. Most recently, RID Scanner was updated on September 6, 2026 and Drone Scanner (gen.2) on July 6, 2026.

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