Comparison

Chameleon GO vs NFC Utils

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

Head to head
About

Chameleon GO

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Control your Chameleon Ultra and Lite from your iPhone over Bluetooth. *Requires a Chameleon Ultra or Chameleon Lite device (sold separately). β€’ Read HF (MIFARE, Ultralight, NTAG) and LF (EM410x, HID, and more) tags β€’ Emulate cards in your device slots β€” 3 free, all 8 with a one-time unlock β€’ Recover MIFARE Classic keys: dictionary, MFKey32/64, Nested β€’ Write & copy magic cards (Gen1a,Gen2,Gen3,Gen4,T5577) β€’ Manage slots, edit dumps, and update firmware (DFU) No ads, no tracking β€” your cards and keys never leave your device unless you export them. For research and cards you own or are authorized to test. Not affiliated with RFID Research Group. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

NFC Utils

Features
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Put your ACS Bluetooth reader to work. NFC Utils connects the ACR1555U and ACR1255U-J1 to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac so you can read, write, and configure supported NFC tags without a cable. It’s free, with no ads, no account, and no cloud service. Choose your reader in Settings, pick a tool, and present a tag. NFC Utils remembers the reader and reconnects when it’s available. Leave it on your workbench while you work through a stack of cards, or take it along with your iPad. On iPhone, you can also use the built-in NFC antenna. Compatible USB CCID readers give you a wired option. Write a link to your menu, put instructions on an equipment label, or update the details on a contact card. Load From Tag brings an existing message into the editor so you can change it and write it back. Each tool gives you the fields for that job and a clear result when it finishes. When a tag won’t cooperate, start with a read. NFC Utils identifies the chip and shows its stored records, memory, and protection state. Full Scan adds a memory map with lock markers. On supported chips, you can check NXP’s factory signature or read a TagTamper seal’s status. Copy the result as text or JSON, share a scan, or return to it in History. ePassport Read holder details, the photo, and any signature image from an ICAO 9303 passport chip. Enter the document number, birth date, and expiry from the printed machine readable zone (MRZ), or paste the MRZ. Access uses BAC or PACE. Data Genuine checks the files against the issuer's signed hashes. Chip Original tests whether the chip holds its private key when the app supports the offered check. Signer checks the certificate chain against bundled country roots. These checks do not replace a border check. The app cannot read fingerprints. Passport data and remembered unlock fields stay on your device. The master list is refreshed per release. The tools go deeper when you need them. NTAG 21x β€’ Write and edit records on NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216. β€’ Set or remove password protection, keep a public link readable while restricting writes, and put the UID or read counter into a URL. β€’ Permanent locks are available when the tag is ready to stay as it is. NTAG 424 DNA β€’ Check and change AES-128 keys, manage file access, and configure Secure Dynamic Messaging. β€’ Generate URLs with changing counters, authentication values, and optional encrypted data, then use Decode SDM URL to inspect a read and check its CMAC. ICODE SLIX2 β€’ Manage passwords and protected memory regions, set AFI and DSFID identifiers, and test or change the EAS alarm response. β€’ Related ICODE chips get the tools their hardware supports. Raw Commands lets you inspect the exchange yourself. Start with a read-only preset such as Get Version, then see the sent bytes, received response, and decoded fields where supported. On Mac, the chip readout sits beside the records, with tools in a sidebar and an adjustable interface size. An external reader brings NFC to your Mac or iPad. There are no advertising interruptions and no analytics tracking your scans. Tag data and keys stay on your device. You decide what to copy, export, or share. The NFC Utils guide explains the tools, settings, and permanent changes. Read our privacy policy.

Screenshots

Chameleon GO3 screens
NFC Utils4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC Utils at none against Chameleon GO's 1. NFC Utils also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Chameleon GO sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NFC Utils asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly daily. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
Chameleon GO versus NFC Utils: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChameleon GONFC Utils
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDailyDaily
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS18.016.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size6 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKonstantin RafikovThe NFC Mint LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Chameleon GO

One-time1
  • 8 Slots$4.99
None

NFC Utils

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chameleon GO free?
Chameleon GO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NFC Utils free?
NFC Utils is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chameleon GO or NFC Utils have ads?
Neither Chameleon GO nor NFC Utils shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chameleon GO or NFC Utils?
Chameleon GO ships an update daily, and NFC Utils daily. Most recently, Chameleon GO was updated on September 28, 2026 and NFC Utils on September 28, 2026.

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