nRF Beacons vs RLBeacon Tool
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
nRF Beacons
This utility app demonstrates the capabilities of a Bluetooth beacon kit. It enables users to configure beacon settings and define actions triggered by proximity events. Supported actions include displaying content, opening web links, and playing alarms.
- Configure beacon UUID, Major, and Minor
- Set calibrated RSSI
- Define actions for proximity events
- Trigger web browser opening
- Play alarm sounds
- Monitor multiple beacons simultaneously
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The nRF Beacon application has been designed to demonstrate all the features of the nRF8122 Bluetooth® Smart Beacon Kit. It allows you to register actions that will be triggered when a specified event occurs and it also allows you to modify the content of a beacon including the beacon’s UUID, Major, Minor and calibrated RSSI. Currently the app supports the following actions: •Show an object (Mona Lisa painting) •Open a web browser •Play an alarm The app supports the following four events: •User enters the Beacon’s range. •User exits the Beacon’s range. •User is near to the Beacon. •User is at the Beacon. Note: •Supported on IOS 7.0 or later and iPhone 4S or later. •Supports simultaneous monitoring of multiple beacons. •Compatible with nRF51822 Bluetooth® Smart Beacon Kit. •You may find more information about nRF51822 Bluetooth® Smart Beacon Kit on our website: http://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/Bluetooth-R-low-energy/nRF51822-Bluetooth-Smart-Beacon-Kit . •The source code of the app nRF Beacon is available on http://www.nordicsemi.com and can be downloaded if you have purchased the nRF51822 Bluetooth® Smart Beacon Kit. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
RLBeacon Tool
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This is an APP for Beacon data reading and parameter modification By setting filtering conditions, the target device can be searched faster. Click on the device list to see Beacon's detailed parameters: Major, Minor, temperature, humidity, triaxial acceleration, signal strength, battery power, etc. Click on the link to modify Beacon's default parameters.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: RLBeacon Tool at every 2 months against nRF Beacons's every 4 months. nRF Beacons's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 Beacons ships an update every 4 months, RLBeacon Tool every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | nRF Beacons | RLBeacon Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Nordic Semiconductor ASA | Shenzhen Radioland Technology Co., Ltd. |
In-app purchases
nRF Beacons
No in-app purchases
RLBeacon Tool
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is nRF Beacons free?
Is RLBeacon Tool free?
Do nRF Beacons or RLBeacon Tool have ads?
Which is updated more often, nRF Beacons or RLBeacon Tool?
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