# CEL vs HID Reader Manager

The clearest difference is rating: CEL at 3.4 against HID Reader Manager's 2.6. CEL also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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.

CEL holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of CEL's written reviews are positive against 12% of HID Reader Manager's.

CEL ships an update every 3 weeks, HID Reader Manager every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CEL | HID Reader Manager |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.4 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cel-fi-wave/id980050278/reviews)** | [2.6 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hid-reader-manager/id1328840981/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **44** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **17.1% of reviews** | 11.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 27 MB | 258 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nextivity, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/928976824) | [HID Global](https://appshunter.io/developer/657306800) |

## What reviewers say

### CEL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cel-fi-wave/id980050278)

Easily set up and manage your smart signal booster. Monitor performance, troubleshoot coverage issues, and update software. Configure advanced settings like network selection and antenna aiming for improved indoor mobile service.

**Highlights:** Booster registration, Performance monitoring and optimization, Coverage issue troubleshooting, Software updates, External antenna aiming, Network operator selection, Advanced settings configuration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works for some users
- 🚀 Boosts signal effectively (when it works)
- 💡 Useful for initial setup
- 🤝 Responsive customer support (mentioned by one user)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 App crashes often
- 🐛 Slow performance and lag
- 🐛 Outdated user interface
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate

**Reported bugs**

- App does not work
- Multiple units displayed with same name
- Will not connect to units without hours of closing & reopening
- Cannot flash LED on displayed device before connecting
- App is cumbersome to navigate

**Requested features**

- Allow users to see phone's cell signal strength while app is running
- Auto-login feature
- More descriptive device state (booting up, scanning, service detected)
- Faster signal strength meters
- Instruction manual detailing settings/features


### HID Reader Manager

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hid-reader-manager/id1328840981)

This app simplifies the management of compatible HID readers. It allows administrators to configure settings, update firmware, and export reader status. Users can also upgrade readers to support Bluetooth and OSDP.

**Highlights:** Configure reader settings, Upgrade reader firmware, Inspect and export reader status, Enable Bluetooth support, Enable OSDP support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CEL free?

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

### Is HID Reader Manager free?

HID Reader Manager is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, CEL or HID Reader Manager?

CEL is rated higher. CEL averages 3.4 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while HID Reader Manager averages 2.6 from 26 ratings.

### Do CEL or HID Reader Manager have ads?

Neither CEL nor HID Reader Manager shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CEL or HID Reader Manager?

CEL ships an update every 3 weeks, and HID Reader Manager every 2 months. Most recently, CEL was updated on October 14, 2026 and HID Reader Manager on October 16, 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.*