# nRF Toolbox vs Bluefruit Connect

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bluefruit Connect at 69% against nRF Toolbox's 22%. Bluefruit Connect also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.6) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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.

Bluefruit Connect holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of nRF Toolbox's written reviews are positive against 69% of Bluefruit Connect's.

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, Bluefruit Connect every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | nRF Toolbox | Bluefruit Connect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrf-toolbox/id820906058/reviews) | **[4.3 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluefruit-connect/id830125974/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **19** |
| Positive reviews | 22.2% of reviews | **69.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nordic Semiconductor ASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/497679114) | [Adafruit Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/492487674) |

## 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


### Bluefruit Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluefruit-connect/id830125974)

Wirelessly connect your iOS device to Adafruit Bluefruit LE modules. Control projects, send sensor data, and communicate via UART or CircuitPython. Features include a control pad, NeoPixel control, and a serial plotter.

**Highlights:** Wireless sensor and GPS data transmission, Control Pad for project direction, Arduino pin input/output control, UART and CircuitPython message monitoring, Interactive NeoPixel color picker, Bluetooth LE peripheral scanning, Serial data plotting

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, 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 Bluefruit Connect free?

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

### Which has better reviews, nRF Toolbox or Bluefruit Connect?

Bluefruit Connect is rated higher. nRF Toolbox averages 2.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Bluefruit Connect averages 4.3 from 19 ratings.

### Do nRF Toolbox or Bluefruit Connect have ads?

Neither nRF Toolbox nor Bluefruit Connect shows ads.

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

nRF Toolbox ships an update every 5 weeks, and Bluefruit Connect every 2 months. Most recently, nRF Toolbox was updated on September 21, 2026 and Bluefruit Connect on September 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.*