NCSS vs OpenZcan
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NCSS
This mobile application aids in property setup by providing real-time network status, equipment details, and device locations. Users can quickly scan device barcodes to add meter information or test connections to view device details instantly.
- Real-time network status
- Equipment information viewing
- Device location tracking
- Barcode scanning for devices
- Test connection functionality
- View device details
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The Next Century mobile app is used to assist with in-the-field property setup. Quickly view real-time network status, equipment information, and device locations. Easily scan any Next Century device barcode to add meter information, or use the test connection button on a Next Century Transceiver or Repeater and immediately view the device's details on your phone.
OpenZcan
This app helps clients find service providers and manage equipment, while service providers can manage clients, teams, and service requests. It streamlines equipment service and management using QR codes for quick tracking of service history and total cost of ownership.
- Client management
- Team member management
- Service request handling
- Equipment inventory
- Service history tracking
- QR code integration
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As a service provider you can manage your client list and their equipment and respond to requests for service from your clients. You can manage your team members so they can provide detailed information of equipment service. As a client you can find a service provider quickly and easily. You can manage your team members so they can also request service from a service provider. You can maintain an inventory of your equipment and track the service history so you have a clear picture of the total cost of ownership of the equipment. We use QR codes to make the equipment service and management quick and easy.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: OpenZcan at 100% against NCSS's 50%. OpenZcan also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). NCSS's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
OpenZcan holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NCSS has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of NCSS's written reviews are positive against 100% of OpenZcan's.
NCSS ships an update monthly, OpenZcan weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | NCSS | OpenZcan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (12 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Next Century Submetering Systems | Ocean Wave Ventures Ltd |
Customer experience
NCSS
OpenZcan
In-app purchases
NCSS
No in-app purchases
OpenZcan
No in-app purchases
