Comparison

ChipVault vs NFC Tools Tag

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

Head to head
About

ChipVault

This app transforms NFC cards into secure, encrypted personal data vaults. Store passwords, recovery phrases, and more, all protected by your master password and AES-128 encryption directly on the chip. Your data remains offline, with no cloud or server reliance.

Highlights
  • Personalize DESFire EV2/EV3 cards
  • AES-128 encrypted data storage
  • Store passwords, notes, recovery phrases
  • Edit card details and categories
  • Clone cards for backup
  • Visual storage usage
  • Reset cards to factory state
Read full description

The only iOS app dedicated to NXP DESFire EV2 and EV3 NFC cards. ChipVault turns your DESFire cards into hardware-backed personal data vaults — AES-128 encrypted at the chip level, secured by your own master password. No cloud, no servers, no accounts, no subscriptions. The cards in your wallet are the storage. SECURE FIRST. Traditional NXP card tools fall short on security when working with these chips. ChipVault treats native AES encryption, EV2 Secure Messaging, and proper key derivation as first-class citizens — not afterthoughts. Every byte written to a card is encrypted with a key derived from your master password and that card's unique UID. The same data on a different card is a different ciphertext. A different password unlocks nothing. The chip enforces this at the silicon level. WHAT YOU CAN DO — Personalize a blank DESFire EV2 or EV3 card into a ChipVault: pick up to 8 categories from a palette of 15+ pre-canned options (Financial, Medical, Travel, Auto, Insurance, Tools, Credentials, Licenses, Subscriptions, Crypto Recovery, Family, Work, Notes, Wi-Fi & IoT, Personal IDs) or roll your own with custom names — Store passwords, codes, account numbers, notes, recovery phrases — each entry is a simple key plus a multi-line value, with optional hide-by-default for sensitive fields — Read your data with a tap and your master password — Edit a card after enrollment: rename it, change its theme and icon, rename any category — all instant, no NFC tap needed — Add new categories or delete existing ones on a card you've already personalized — one NFC tap each, with confirmation — Clone an entire card to a backup card — your safety net stays in your physical control, with per-trait toggles for what carries over (name, theme, icon) — Recover from a stuck chip memory allocator with Reset & Restructure — wipes entries and rebuilds the card with your current category set (chip-level recovery you'll rarely need, but you'll be glad it's there if you do) — See exactly how much space each category is using with the visual storage donut — Reset any card back to factory state with a single command — Delete individual entries cleanly with no leftover ghost data USE CASES — A password manager backup that doesn't live on anyone's cloud — A travel-only vault you carry separately from your phone — Encrypted storage for crypto recovery phrases that survives device loss — An emergency credentials kit that goes in a safe deposit box — A shared medical info card a family member can read with their own ChipVault install (if they know your master password) PRIVACY BY DESIGN ChipVault has no servers. No analytics. No tracking SDKs. No accounts to create. Nothing you do leaves your device, except a small operational record stored in your own iOS Keychain (which you control). Your master password is never transmitted, never logged, and never recoverable — write it down somewhere safe. WHAT YOU'LL NEED — An iPhone with NFC support (iPhone 7 or later) — One or more NXP DESFire EV2 or EV3 NFC cards (widely available online — see the in-app guide) ONE-TIME PURCHASE A 20-day free trial. After that, a single one-time purchase unlocks ChipVault forever — on all your devices. No subscriptions. Ever. ABOUT N0AGI ChipVault is built by N0AGI LLC, an indie shop focused on tools that respect your data and your wallet. Questions, feedback, or bug reports: n0agi@n0agi.com

About

NFC Tools Tag

Features
Read full description

NFC Reader & Writer makes everyday NFC tasks simple. Scan compatible NFC tags, view supported information, create NFC records, write content to writable tags, and keep useful NFC data organized in one app. Whether you want to read an NFC tag, create a new tag, update existing content, or prepare records for another compatible tag, the app provides practical NFC tools in a clear and easy-to-use experience. - Scan & Read NFC Tags Bring a compatible NFC tag close to your iPhone to scan it and view supported information stored on the tag. The NFC reader presents available tag data in an easy-to-understand format, helping you quickly check supported records and understand what information a tag contains. - Write NFC Tags Create your own NFC content and write it to compatible writable NFC tags. Choose a supported record type, enter your information, review the details, and prepare it for writing. The NFC tag writer provides a simple workflow for creating useful tags for different purposes. - Create Multiple NFC Records Build NFC tags containing multiple supported records. Add the information you need, organize your records, review the complete setup, and write them to a compatible NFC tag. - Supported NFC Record Types Depending on the tag and supported format, you can work with: • Website URLs • Text • Contact details • Phone numbers • Email information • Wi-Fi details • Location information • Other supported NFC records The app works with supported NFC and NDEF records available through your iPhone's NFC capabilities. - Edit & Update NFC Tags Need to change information stored on a writable NFC tag? Prepare updated records, review the new information, and write the content again to a compatible tag. Update supported website links, contact details, Wi-Fi information, text, and other NFC records when needed. - Read Compatible NFC Cards & Tags Explore supported information available on compatible NFC tags and contactless NFC cards. When supported records are detected, the app displays the available information in a simple format for easier viewing. Support depends on the NFC technology, tag or card type, and information accessible through iOS. - Save NFC Records Avoid recreating the same NFC information every time. Save frequently used records inside the app and quickly access them when preparing another NFC tag. Keep URLs, contacts, text, Wi-Fi information, and other supported content organized for future use. - NFC Transfer Reuse supported NFC information when preparing another compatible tag. Scan available records from an NFC tag, review the information, and use supported records when creating content for another writable NFC tag. - Main Features • Scan compatible NFC tags • Read supported NFC tag information • Write content to writable NFC tags • Create custom NFC records • Create multiple records for one tag • Work with supported NDEF records • Edit and update NFC tag content • Create URL, text, contact, Wi-Fi, email, phone, and location records • Save frequently used NFC information • Read supported NFC cards and tags • Reuse supported records for another tag • Organize NFC content in one place - Simple NFC Tools in One App NFC Reader & Writer brings essential NFC tools together in one place. Scan NFC tags, read supported records, create NDEF content, write NFC tags, update records, and organize frequently used NFC information directly from your iPhone. NFC functionality depends on your iPhone model, iOS capabilities, NFC tag or card type, available tag memory, supported record formats, and whether a tag is writable. Some NFC functions or tag types may not be supported. Privacy Policy: https://appscrafters.com/nfc-scanner-kit-privacy-policy Eula: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ChipVault4 screens
NFC Tools Tag4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC Tools Tag at none against ChipVault's 1. NFC Tools Tag also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.0). On price 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. ChipVault sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NFC Tools Tag asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
ChipVault versus NFC Tools Tag: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChipVaultNFC Tools Tag
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperN0AGI LLCUmar Amin

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ChipVault

One-time1
  • ChipVault Full Access$6.99
None

NFC Tools Tag

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ChipVault free?
ChipVault is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NFC Tools Tag free?
NFC Tools Tag is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ChipVault or NFC Tools Tag have ads?
Neither ChipVault nor NFC Tools Tag shows ads.

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