nRF Toolbox vs AUTHOR FLASHER
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
nRF Toolbox
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.
- Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity
- Demonstrates BLE profiles
- Heart Rate Monitor support
- Glucose Monitor support
- Cycling Speed and Cadence
- Running Speed and Cadence
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nRF Toolbox works with a wide range of Bluetooth Low Energy accessories. It contains applications demonstrating BLE profiles: Cycling Speed and Cadence, Running Speed and Cadence, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Pressure Monitor, Health Thermometer, Glucose Monitor, Continuous Glucose Monitor, Monitoring & Diagnostic and more. The source code of this application is available on GitHub: https://github.com/nordicsemi/iOS-nRF-Toolbox
AUTHOR FLASHER
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AUTHOR FLASHER is a mobile app for professional installers and technical specialists designed to update firmware and configure AUTHOR devices through a smartphone. The app is the mobile version of the AUTHOR FLASHER desktop program and provides access to all the necessary features in a convenient format. After authorization through the user account on AUTHOR’s service portal, a device can be connected and all the necessary operations can be performed, such as viewing information, updating firmware, and configuring parameters. Key features: • Display technical information about the device • Update the firmware • Configure the device’s available features Access and safety: • Only for authorized users of AUTHOR’s service portal • Requires an internet connection • Device must be switched to firmware update mode before connecting Compatibility: • iOS 15.0 and higher Supported devices: • AUTHOR IGLA, AUTHOR ALARM, AUTHOR IGLA LF, AUTHOR IGLA C (nRF 8.0+, STM 3.5.0+) • AUTHOR AUTOSTART (nRF 8.0+, STM 1.3+) • AUTHOR KLB (nRF 8.0+, STM 3.5+) • AUTHOR IGLA FD, AUTHOR ALARM FD. AUTHOR FLASHER is a tool for working efficiently with AUTHOR devices in a professional environment.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: AUTHOR FLASHER at 13.0 against nRF Toolbox's 18.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
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, AUTHOR FLASHER every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | nRF Toolbox | AUTHOR FLASHER |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.6 (8 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 22.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Nordic Semiconductor ASA | AUTHOR-ALARM |
In-app purchases
nRF Toolbox
No in-app purchases
AUTHOR FLASHER
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is nRF Toolbox free?
Is AUTHOR FLASHER free?
Do nRF Toolbox or AUTHOR FLASHER have ads?
Which is updated more often, nRF Toolbox or AUTHOR FLASHER?
Other comparisons
