Scamper vs Tagdawn
Updated
Tagdawn and Scamper are both iPhone alarms for iOS 26 that you finish by scanning an NFC sticker across the room. Tagdawn is a one-time US$8.99 purchase that also tracks habits and runs on iPad and Mac. Scamper is free to start, locks your apps until you scan and lets you off when you're already up or away from home.
| Criterion | Scamper | Tagdawn |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | iPhone alarm app | NFC alarm and habit tracker app |
| Platforms | iPhone, iOS 26 or later | iPhone, iPad, Mac (Apple silicon) and Apple Vision Pro, all on version 26 or later |
| Price | Free plan; Plus US$24.99/year, US$4.99/month or US$49.99 once; Family US$39.99/year | US$8.99 one-time (US App Store), no in-app purchases listed; its website lists Tagdawn Focus as a €19.99 one-time unlock |
| How you stop it | Scan your NFC tag. Fallbacks: walk 50 steps, or a 60-second emergency hold | Scan your NFC tags (one or more, in a set order, with a set number of taps). iPhone always shows Stop; Tagdawn then rings again after a wait you choose until the tags are scanned. Optional backup QR code |
| NFC | Yes, any NFC sticker | Yes, common NFC stickers |
| Hardware to buy | None from us; any cheap NFC sticker | None; bring your own NFC sticker |
| Locks your apps | Yes, through Screen Time, until you scan | Not in its App Store listing. Its website describes Tagdawn Focus, a €19.99 one-time unlock that uses Screen Time |
| Data collected | None collected by the developer | App Store label: Data Not Collected |
Where Tagdawn is stronger
- One-time pricing: US$8.99 for the app (plus €19.99 for Focus, per its website), against US$49.99 for Scamper's Plus Lifetime.
- Runs on iPad and Mac as well as iPhone.
- Habit tracking, timers and a stopwatch in the same app.
- Several tags in a set order, with a set number of taps per tag.
- Can protect alarm changes with Face ID, a passcode or the tag.
Where Scamper differs
- Already-up and away-from-home checks: Stop works normally when you're clearly up or out.
- Sleep-ins you set the night before, and Walk it off when the tag is out of reach.
- A partner password, so someone you trust holds the key to ending a lock early.
- App lock included: your apps stay locked until you scan, on every plan.
- A free plan, and the app in six languages (Tagdawn's listing is English only).
Coming soon to the App Store
Questions
What's the difference between Scamper and Tagdawn?
Both stop when you scan an NFC tag. Tagdawn is a one-time purchase with habit tracking. Scamper is free to start, locks your apps until you scan, and stands down when you're already up or away from home.
Is Tagdawn free?
No. Tagdawn costs US$8.99 once on the US App Store, as of October 2026.
Sources
Tagdawn and other product names are trademarks of their owners. Scamper isn't affiliated with or endorsed by them. Facts come from public App Store listings and websites on the date shown; if something has changed, email us and we'll fix it.