# nRF Toolbox vs BLE tools with terminal

The clearest difference is ads: nRF Toolbox at none against BLE tools with terminal's shown. nRF Toolbox also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 23 months). BLE tools with terminal's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). On price, 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, BLE tools with terminal every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | nRF Toolbox | BLE tools with terminal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 23 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 9 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nordic Semiconductor ASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/497679114) | [Yihang Huang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451896625) |

## 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


### BLE tools with terminal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ble-tools-with-terminal/id1585495917)

**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 BLE tools with terminal free?

BLE tools with terminal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do nRF Toolbox or BLE tools with terminal have ads?

BLE tools with terminal shows ads; nRF Toolbox does not.

### Which is updated more often, nRF Toolbox or BLE tools with terminal?

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, and BLE tools with terminal every 23 months. Most recently, nRF Toolbox was updated on October 16, 2026 and BLE tools with terminal 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.*