# nRF Toolbox vs BLUE TOOLS

The clearest difference is update cadence: nRF Toolbox at every 5 weeks against BLUE TOOLS's every 3 months. BLUE TOOLS's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, BLUE TOOLS every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and May 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | nRF Toolbox | BLUE TOOLS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrf-toolbox/id820906058/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **8** | — |
| Positive reviews | 22.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 9 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nordic Semiconductor ASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/497679114) | [巧云 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1347146496) |

## 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


### BLUE TOOLS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blue-tools/id1579998871)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is nRF Toolbox free?

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

### Is BLUE TOOLS free?

BLUE TOOLS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do nRF Toolbox or BLUE TOOLS have ads?

Neither nRF Toolbox nor BLUE TOOLS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, nRF Toolbox or BLUE TOOLS?

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, and BLUE TOOLS every 3 months. Most recently, nRF Toolbox was updated on September 21, 2026 and BLUE TOOLS on May 19, 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.*