# nRF Toolbox vs ESP SoftAP Provisioning

nRF Toolbox and ESP SoftAP Provisioning both sit at 2.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 22% of nRF Toolbox's written reviews are positive against 0% of ESP SoftAP Provisioning's. nRF Toolbox also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). ESP SoftAP Provisioning's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.6 for nRF Toolbox against 2.6 for ESP SoftAP Provisioning. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 22% of nRF Toolbox's written reviews are positive against 0% of ESP SoftAP Provisioning's.

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, ESP SoftAP Provisioning every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | nRF Toolbox | ESP SoftAP Provisioning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrf-toolbox/id820906058/reviews) | [2.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/esp-softap-provisioning/id1474040630/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | **22.2% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nordic Semiconductor ASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/497679114) | [ESPRESSIF SYSTEMS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1071176699) |

## What reviewers say

### nRF Toolbox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrf-toolbox/id820906058)

This utility app connects to various Bluetooth Low Energy accessories. It demonstrates multiple BLE profiles, including health and fitness sensors, allowing users to monitor data from devices like heart rate monitors and glucose monitors.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity, Demonstrates BLE profiles, Heart Rate Monitor support, Glucose Monitor support, Cycling Speed and Cadence, Running Speed and Cadence

**In-app purchases:** none


### ESP SoftAP Provisioning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/esp-softap-provisioning/id1474040630)

Configure Wi-Fi credentials for ESP32 or ESP8266 devices using SoftAP transport. This utility supports Wi-Fi provisioning from ESP IDF version 3.2 and later, including security level 1 and Proof of Possession.

**Highlights:** SoftAP Wi-Fi Provisioning (ESP IDF v3.2+), Security Level 1, Proof of Possession (PoP), Wi-Fi scan list, Configure Network Name and Passphrase

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is nRF Toolbox free?

nRF Toolbox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ESP SoftAP Provisioning free?

ESP SoftAP Provisioning is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, nRF Toolbox or ESP SoftAP Provisioning?

nRF Toolbox and ESP SoftAP Provisioning are both rated 2.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 8 and 5 ratings respectively.

### Do nRF Toolbox or ESP SoftAP Provisioning have ads?

Neither nRF Toolbox nor ESP SoftAP Provisioning shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, nRF Toolbox or ESP SoftAP Provisioning?

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, and ESP SoftAP Provisioning every 4 months. Most recently, nRF Toolbox was updated on October 6, 2026 and ESP SoftAP Provisioning on October 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*