# nRF Toolbox vs Bluetooth Serial Connect

The clearest difference is rating: Bluetooth Serial Connect at 3.7 against nRF Toolbox's 2.6. Bluetooth Serial Connect also leads on iOS requirement (16.2 vs 18.0). nRF Toolbox's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 10 months). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Bluetooth Serial Connect holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 7 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 22% of nRF Toolbox's written reviews are positive against 0% of Bluetooth Serial Connect's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, Bluetooth Serial Connect every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | nRF Toolbox | Bluetooth Serial Connect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrf-toolbox/id820906058/reviews) | **[3.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-serial-connect/id6449396821/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **22.2% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nordic Semiconductor ASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/497679114) | [Henry Abrahamsen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1544660671) |

## 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


### Bluetooth Serial Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-serial-connect/id6449396821)

Control your Arduino projects with your phone. Design custom interfaces with buttons, joysticks, and displays to send and receive data via Bluetooth low-energy modules. An integrated library simplifies the connection process.

**Highlights:** Customizable control boards, Button and joystick inputs, Display integration, Bluetooth low-energy module support, Arduino library for easy integration

**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 Bluetooth Serial Connect free?

Bluetooth Serial Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, nRF Toolbox or Bluetooth Serial Connect?

Bluetooth Serial Connect is rated higher. nRF Toolbox averages 2.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Bluetooth Serial Connect averages 3.7 from 7 ratings.

### Do nRF Toolbox or Bluetooth Serial Connect have ads?

Bluetooth Serial Connect shows ads; nRF Toolbox does not.

### Which is updated more often, nRF Toolbox or Bluetooth Serial Connect?

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, and Bluetooth Serial Connect every 10 months. Most recently, nRF Toolbox was updated on October 6, 2026 and Bluetooth Serial Connect on September 29, 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.*