Comparison

NearCast vs BLE

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

Head to head
About

NearCast

Features
Read full description

NearCast turns your iPhone into a powerful Bluetooth radar. Scan for nearby BLE devices, track their signal strength, estimate distance, and never lose your gear again. RADAR SCANNING • Real-time Bluetooth Low Energy scanning with a visual radar display • Animated sonar sweep shows device blips color-coded by saved status • RSSI-based distance estimation using signal strength analysis • Smart device name resolution identifies 50+ manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, Google, Sony, Bose, Tile, and more • Proximity levels from Immediate to Out of Range with haptic feedback DEVICE MANAGEMENT • Save devices with custom names and categories (Phone, Laptop, Headphones, Watch, Keys, Wallet, Tracker, and more) • Organize with favourites and mark devices as lost • View battery level, signal strength, and connection status at a glance • Full scan history with timestamped RSSI readings • Swipe actions for quick management FIND YOUR DEVICES • Play Sound triggers an audible alert to help locate nearby devices • Compass needle points toward your device's last known direction • Proximity indicator with hot/cold feedback guides you closer • Haptic patterns intensify as you approach — feel your way to the device MAP & LOCATION • See every saved device's last known location on an interactive map • Category-colored pins make it easy to identify devices at a glance • Tracks and updates GPS coordinates each time a device is scanned SAFE ZONES • Create geographic safe zones around locations like Home or Office • Configurable radius from 50 to 1000 metres • Alerts are automatically suppressed inside enabled safe zones • Manage zones from the map or the dedicated settings panel SMART ALERTS • Separation alerts notify you the moment a saved device goes out of range • Found alerts let you know when a lost device comes back • Customizable alert sounds: Chime, Beep, Ping, or Sonar • Adjustable volume and global mute control PRIVACY & ANTI-TRACKING • Anti-tracking detection monitors for unknown Bluetooth devices that may be following you • Alerts you if an unfamiliar device persists near you for over 15 minutes across 100+ metres of movement • Clear tracker history at any time • All data stored locally on your device — we never collect or share your information BACKGROUND SCANNING • Continue monitoring saved devices even when the app is in the background • Receive push notifications for separation and found events • Background mode can be toggled on or off in Settings SYNC & STORAGE • iCloud sync keeps your saved devices available across all your Apple devices • Powered by SwiftData for fast, reliable local storage • Export-ready scan history with timestamps and signal data CUSTOMIZATION • 11 device categories with unique icons and colours • Per-device alert settings for separation and found notifications • Dark mode support throughout the app • Onboarding flow guides you through Bluetooth, Location, and Notification setup DeviceFinder requires Bluetooth and Location permissions to scan for and locate devices. Background scanning may affect battery life.

About

BLE

Locate lost Bluetooth earbuds, headphones, or other devices with this utility. It uses your phone's Bluetooth signal to guide you, with a gentle vibration that intensifies as you get closer. Personalize your devices with tags, colors, and codes for easier identification.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth device scanning
  • Proximity-based guidance
  • Vibrating feedback
  • Device tagging and coloring
  • Customizable device codes
Features
Read full description

Lost your earbuds or headphones? BLE helps you walk right to them. BLE (stands for Bluetooth Low Energy) listens for the Bluetooth devices around you and helps you find it. Your phone will also beat gently like a heart, faster as you get closer. You can also give your earbuds, headphones, speaker or watch a tag, a colour and a short code, so they stand out from everything else nearby Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://findmybluetooth.com/privacy/

Screenshots

NearCast4 screens
BLE3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NearCast at none against BLE's 3. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. BLE sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. NearCast asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
NearCast versus BLE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNearCastBLE
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMURAD AL WAJEDYotam Troim

In-app purchases

None

NearCast

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

BLE

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly14 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • BLE LifeTime$59.99

Questions

Is NearCast free?
NearCast is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BLE free?
BLE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NearCast or BLE have ads?
Neither NearCast nor BLE shows ads.

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