Comparison

Spool Programmer vs FilaSpool

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

FilaSpool

Manage your 3D printing filament inventory and track print jobs. Easily identify and update spools using NFC tags. Features AI-powered analysis of slicer screenshots for efficient logging.

Highlights
  • Filament and spool inventory management
  • Track weight remaining and cost per spool
  • Log print jobs and deduct filament usage
  • AI-powered slicer screenshot analysis
  • NFC tag support for spool identification
  • Data backup and restore
Features
Read full description

FilaSpool is the essential inventory manager for 3D printing enthusiasts. Keep track of every filament and spool you own, log your print jobs, and use NFC tags to instantly identify and update spools right at your printer. INVENTORY MANAGEMENT • Add filaments with brand, material, color, temperature profiles, and cost • Track multiple spools per filament with weight remaining • Archive empty spools without losing history • Group and browse inventory by brand PRINT JOBS • Create print jobs manually or import from a slicer screenshot using AI • Log print runs to automatically deduct filament usage from inventory • Track cost per print and view run history • Attach photos of your finished prints NFC TAG SUPPORT • Read and write OpenSpool and OpenPrintTag NFC tags • Read OpenTag3D NFC tags • Scan a tag to instantly match it to your inventory • Set your preferred tag format in settings SMART FEATURES • AI-powered slicer screenshot analysis (Claude, OpenAI, or Gemini) • Full data backup and restore FilaSpool requires an iPhone with NFC capability (iPhone 7 or later).

Screenshots

Spool Programmer2 screens
FilaSpool4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Spool Programmer at none against FilaSpool's 1. Spool Programmer also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ads 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. FilaSpool sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Spool Programmer asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 FilaSpool. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spool Programmer ships an update every 5 days, FilaSpool fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Spool Programmer versus FilaSpool: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpool ProgrammerFilaSpool
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin BogomolniJon Clark

Customer experience

Spool Programmer

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

FilaSpool

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Spool Programmer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

FilaSpool

One-time1
  • FilaSpool Plus$4.99

Questions

Is Spool Programmer free?
Spool Programmer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FilaSpool free?
FilaSpool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Spool Programmer or FilaSpool?
Spool Programmer and FilaSpool are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Spool Programmer or FilaSpool have ads?
Neither Spool Programmer nor FilaSpool shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spool Programmer or FilaSpool?
Spool Programmer ships an update every 5 days, and FilaSpool fortnightly. Most recently, Spool Programmer was updated on October 6, 2026 and FilaSpool on October 15, 2026.

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