Comparison

Spool Programmer vs Spoolman GO

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

Spoolman GO

Read full description

Spoolman GO is the iPhone companion app for your self-hosted Spoolman or FilaMan-compatible server. Manage your filament spools, track inventory, and write NFC tags in the OpenSpool format — right from your iPhone. FEATURES • Dashboard with inventory overview: total weight, material distribution, low-stock warnings, and manufacturer statistics at a glance • Spool list with search and filters by material, manufacturer, location, and stock status, including a remaining-weight status indicator • Detail view with all filament data, settings, and remaining weight • Book filament consumption and log measured remaining weight • Overview for spools, filaments, vendors, and locations — edit all fields • Multi-color display: pie chart (coaxial) or linear gradient (longitudinal) in lists and details • Scan QR codes and open the matching spool directly (`/spool/show/...` and `WEB+SPOOLMAN:S-...`) • Read and write passive NFC tags (OpenSpool 1.0, NDEF MIME application/json; no direct printer or accessory pairing) • Automatically store NFC tag UID on the matching spool (lot_nr) • Auto-detect API: native Spoolman (/api/v1) or FilaMan Spoolman compatibility (/spoolman/api/v1) • Light / Dark / System color scheme • Demo Mode: explore the general app UI without a server using realistic sample data; writing NFC tags requires Live Mode • No account, no cloud service — all your data stays with you • Settings: server connection, appearance and language, low-stock threshold • Improved VoiceOver support with labeled actions, form fields, filters, and purchase states REQUIREMENTS • Self-hosted Spoolman or FilaMan with Spoolman-API Plugin • For NFC: iPhone 7 or newer, iOS 13+, physical device required (not Simulator) • For QR scanning: camera access PRIVACY Spoolman GO collects no user data. All settings are stored locally. The app only communicates with the server you configure. TERMS OF USE Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Spool Programmer2 screens
Spoolman GO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Spool Programmer at none against Spoolman GO's 1. On price, update cadence, 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. Spoolman GO sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Spool Programmer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spool Programmer ships an update every 5 days, Spoolman GO every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Spool Programmer versus Spoolman GO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpool ProgrammerSpoolman GO
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin BogomolniFLORIAN BERTHOLD PFLAUM

In-app purchases

None

Spool Programmer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Spoolman GO

Subscriptions1
  • Spoolman GO Monthly$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Spool Programmer free?
Spool Programmer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spoolman GO free?
Spoolman GO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Spool Programmer or Spoolman GO have ads?
Neither Spool Programmer nor Spoolman GO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spool Programmer or Spoolman GO?
Spool Programmer ships an update every 5 days, and Spoolman GO every 6 days. Most recently, Spool Programmer was updated on September 18, 2026 and Spoolman GO on September 29, 2026.

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