Comparison

Sam Database vs PowerNFC

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

Head to head
About

Sam Database

Features
Read full description

Get the data imei

About

PowerNFC

This app transforms your iPhone into a personal NFC tool. Read and write NFC tags, scan electronic passports and travel documents, and check transit card balances and history. It prioritizes privacy with on-device processing and requires no account.

Highlights
  • NFC tag reading and writing
  • Electronic passport and travel document scanning
  • Transit card balance and history checking
  • Create WiFi stickers and NFC business cards
  • On-device data processing
  • No account required
Features
Read full description

PowerNFC — NFC Reader, Writer, Passport & Transit Toolkit Read and write NFC tags, explore supported electronic passports, and check transit card balances with PowerNFC. From everyday links and contact cards to detailed NFC records, keep your scans organized in one app. Scan with your iPhone, then browse iCloud-synced cards and travel documents on iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro. READ & WRITE NFC TAGS • Read NFC tags and inspect their record content • Write text, URLs, Smart Posters, vCards, media records and Android app records to compatible tags • Create custom NDEF records with control over type, payload and optional identifier • Update writable tags and copy record data for reference or troubleshooting • Preview web links directly in the app CREATE EVERYDAY NFC ACTIONS • Create contact cards and links for your business, projects or home • Encode links for websites, phone calls, messages and maps • Use NFC stickers with Apple Shortcuts for personal automations • Edit contact and structured records with dedicated input fields ePASSPORTS & TRAVEL DOCUMENTS • Read supported electronic passport chips using MRZ-based access • Support for BAC and PACE authentication • Read supported Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents and Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao • View names, nationality, document numbers, birth dates, expiry dates and chip photos where supported • Create an Apple Wallet pass with supported document details for quick reference TRANSIT CARDS • Hong Kong Octopus: view balances and recent transactions • Mainland China T-Union and selected city cards, including Shenzhen Tong • Japanese IC cards including Suica, ICOCA, PASMO, TOICA, Kitaca, manaca, SUGOCA, nimoca and Hayakaken • Korean cards including T-Money, Climate Card and EZL • Dedicated EZ-Link Beta mode for Singapore • Additional card modes including Edy and OKICA • View fares, timestamps, station names and ride details where supported by the card ORGANIZED HISTORY • Revisit NFC scans, travel documents and transit cards • Search and filter saved activity • Add nicknames to saved cards and documents • Keep saved transit cards and documents organized across repeat scans • Browse themed card views and transaction history • Sync saved cards and travel documents through iCloud A REFINED EXPERIENCE • Liquid Glass styling, Dark Mode and support for over 40 languages • Searchable settings and a refined custom record editor • Responsive keyboard layouts and adjustable panels • Dedicated browsing layouts for iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro LOCAL NFC PROCESSING NFC reading, document parsing and chip authentication run on your iPhone. Saved cards and travel documents can sync through iCloud. If you choose to create an Apple Wallet pass, the document details used for the pass are sent to our pass-generation service. Web previews connect to the websites you open. SUPPORT & FEEDBACK Send an issue report from inside the app to help improve tag and transit card compatibility. Discover more of what your NFC tags and cards can do with PowerNFC.

Screenshots

Sam Database4 screens
PowerNFC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Sam Database at Free against PowerNFC's $5.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Sam Database is free to download; PowerNFC costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sam Database ships an update every 5 weeks, PowerNFC every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 7 level
Sam Database versus PowerNFC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSam DatabasePowerNFC
PriceFree — better$5.99
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTuan Pham HoangChakMing Wong

In-app purchases

None

Sam Database

No in-app purchases

None

PowerNFC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sam Database free?
Sam Database is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PowerNFC free?
PowerNFC costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Sam Database or PowerNFC have ads?
Neither Sam Database nor PowerNFC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sam Database or PowerNFC?
Sam Database ships an update every 5 weeks, and PowerNFC every 6 weeks. Most recently, Sam Database was updated on September 14, 2026 and PowerNFC on September 11, 2026.

Other comparisons