Comparison

Spool Programmer vs 3D Print Assistant

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

Head to head
About

Spool Programmer

This app allows users to program RFID tags for 3D printing filament spools. It supports various filament types and spool sizes, offering features like reading existing tags, checking memory, and custom color selection. All processing is done on-device for privacy and security.

Highlights
  • Write filament data to NTAG215/216 tags
  • 18 pre-configured filament profiles
  • Read and verify existing tags
  • Check tag status and memory
  • Format tags for programming
  • Custom color selection
  • Support for various spool sizes
Features
Read full description

Transform your 3D printing workflow with Spool Programmer, the essential tool for programming RFID tags on your filament spools. Whether you're using Anycubic printers or building your own filament management system, this app makes tag programming simple, fast, and reliable. POWERFUL FEATURES • Write complete filament data to NTAG215/216 tags in seconds • 18 pre-configured profiles covering all major filament types • Read existing tags to verify or clone configurations • Check tag status and memory layout • Format tags for fresh programming • Custom color selection with RGB sliders and 16 presets • Support for 500g, 1kg, and 2kg spool sizes • Configurable print temperatures (nozzle, bed, chamber) FILAMENT TYPES SUPPORTED PLA, PLA+, PLA Matte, PLA Silk, PETG, ABS, TPU, Nylon, ASA, PC, PVA, HIPS, and BVOH. Each profile includes optimized default temperatures that you can customize. INTUITIVE INTERFACE Beautiful card-based design that guides you through every step. Select your filament type, choose a color, adjust temperatures, and write—all in a clean, modern interface that follows Apple's design guidelines. SMART & SAFE • Automatic detection of write-protected tags • Clear error messages with helpful guidance • Validates tag compatibility before writing • Preview data before committing to tag • No account required, no tracking, no ads PERFECT FOR • Makers managing multiple filament spools • 3D printing enthusiasts with Anycubic printers • Anyone building custom filament management systems • Hackerspaces and makerspaces • Professional print farms TECHNICAL DETAILS Supports standard NTAG215 and NTAG216 NFC tags with 144-byte user memory. Uses the same data format as the ACE-RFID project, ensuring compatibility with existing ecosystems. All processing happens on-device—your data never leaves your iPhone. REQUIREMENTS iPhone 7 or later with NFC capability running iOS 16.0 or later. You'll need blank NTAG215 or NTAG216 tags (widely available online). Note: Pre-programmed manufacturer tags may be write-protected. FREE & OPEN Based on the community-driven ACE-RFID project. No subscriptions, no in-app purchases, no data collection. Built by makers, for makers. Start programming your filament tags today and take control of your 3D printing workflow!

About

3D Print Assistant

Generate optimized 3D printing slicer profiles for your specific printer and filament in under a minute. Offers simple and advanced modes with clear explanations for each setting. Export profiles directly to compatible slicers or get text-based settings.

Highlights
  • Optimized slicer profile generation
  • Printer and filament compatibility
  • Direct profile export to slicers
  • Simple and Advanced modes
  • Pre-print checklist
  • Offline functionality
  • Workshop profile saving
Features
Read full description

Better print settings start with the right details. Choose your printer, nozzle, filament and print goal. 3D Print Assistant builds a practical starting profile for your slicer, with settings you can review and adjust. YOUR SETUP, READY TO GO Save printers, nozzles and materials in My Gear. Pick a setup next time and skip the details you already know. A CLEARER WAY TO CHOOSE MATERIALS Browse filament by category, compare popular choices and see useful details before you select a material. Inventory adds a searchable catalog of 2,089 filament products from 151 brands across 38 material types. KEEP FILAMENT IN VIEW Track spools in Inventory, including colour, weight and status. With Pro and a 3DPA account, Inventory can sync across iPhone, iPad and the web app through 3DPA's account service. GET HELP WITH THE NEXT STEP AI Expert can help explain settings, compare options and troubleshoot a print. It requires an internet connection and a 3DPA account. Also included: saved print profiles, slicer-ready exports where supported, and a pre-print checklist. Core printing tools remain available offline after installation; AI Expert and account sync need an internet connection. Available in English, Danish, German and Russian.

Screenshots

Spool Programmer2 screens
3D Print Assistant4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Spool Programmer at free against 3D Print Assistant's free with in-app purchases. Spool Programmer also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Spool Programmer against 5.0 for 3D Print Assistant. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spool Programmer ships an update every 5 days, 3D Print Assistant fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Spool Programmer versus 3D Print Assistant: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpool Programmer3D Print Assistant
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin BogomolniMustafa Ozturk

Customer experience

Spool Programmer

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

3D Print Assistant

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Spool Programmer

No in-app purchases

None

3D Print Assistant

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spool Programmer free?
Spool Programmer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 3D Print Assistant free?
3D Print Assistant is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Spool Programmer or 3D Print Assistant?
Spool Programmer and 3D Print Assistant are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Spool Programmer or 3D Print Assistant have ads?
Neither Spool Programmer nor 3D Print Assistant shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spool Programmer or 3D Print Assistant?
Spool Programmer ships an update every 5 days, and 3D Print Assistant fortnightly. Most recently, Spool Programmer was updated on October 6, 2026 and 3D Print Assistant on October 1, 2026.

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