NETGEAR Nighthawk vs SIMO
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NETGEAR Nighthawk
Manage your home WiFi network from anywhere with this app. Easily set up your router, control internet access for devices, and enhance your network's security. It also includes tools to test your internet speed and monitor data usage.
- Remote network access
- Parental controls
- Network security
- Speed testing
- Guest WiFi setup
- Traffic monitoring
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Do more with your WiFi using the NETGEAR Nighthawk app. Access your router’s features and manage your network from anywhere after quickly setting up your WiFi in just a few steps. The Nighthawk app gives you convenient access to your router’s features: - Anywhere Access – Monitor and control your home WiFi from anywhere. - Smart Parental Controls – Filter content and limit time online automatically with Circle® on NETGEAR. - Armor Security – Advanced cybersecurity on your network to protect all devices from online threats. - Speed Test – See if you’re getting the internet broadband speeds you’re paying for. - Guest WiFi – Set up a secure and separate WiFi network for guests. - Traffic Meter – Monitor internet usage over time. - Easily pause WiFi, update firmware, and more! The NETGEAR Nighthawk app (formerly Up App) is a complete upgrade from the legacy NETGEAR genie app. New features are consistently being added. Install it today! For more information about your router, visit http://www.support.netgear.com
SIMO
Manage your global WiFi hotspot and power bank for seamless travel connectivity. Access unlimited, secure, and shareable internet in over 130 countries without SIM cards or roaming fees. The app offers smart troubleshooting and faster online access.
- Global WiFi hotspot management
- Check data usage and status
- Smart troubleshooting
- Connect multiple devices
- Up to 4G LTE speeds
- 16+ hour battery life power bank
- SIM-free connectivity
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Skyroam makes it easy for travelers to connect around the world, with the portable global WiFi hotspot & power bank. Enjoy secure, shareable and unlimited connectivity on-the-go without SIM swapping or roaming charges. The Solis app helps you manage your hotspot account, check data usage, and status. Get access to enhanced features such smart troubleshooting, more product information and the ability to get online faster. Why travelers love Skyroam: Coverage in over 130+ countries worldwide Travel the globe and always be connected. Share among multiple devices Connect multiple devices at once to Skyroam WiFi simultaneously. Share with your friends, family, or colleagues at no extra cost! Fast data Get on-demand access to the best available speeds up to 4G LTE mobile WiFi worldwide. Easy and secure One-touch access to unlimited WiFi, SIM-free and hassle-free. 16+ hour battery life Charge your gadgets on-the-go with embedded 6000 mAh power bank and latest USB-C connection A Skyroam Solis hotspot is needed in order to get unlimited global WiFi through this app. If you do not have a Skyroam Solis hotspot yet, visit www.skyroam.com/solis to purchase! Happy Traveling! Visit us at www.skyroam.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/myskyroam Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MySkyroam
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NETGEAR Nighthawk at none against SIMO's 2. NETGEAR Nighthawk also leads on ratings volume (709K vs 3.4K) and chart position (#206 vs unranked). SIMO's advantage is review sentiment (57% vs 30%) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. SIMO sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. NETGEAR Nighthawk asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for NETGEAR Nighthawk against 4.8 for SIMO. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NETGEAR Nighthawk has 709K ratings behind it against 3.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 30% of NETGEAR Nighthawk's written reviews are positive against 57% of SIMO's.
NETGEAR Nighthawk ships an update monthly, SIMO every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NETGEAR Nighthawk | SIMO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (709K ratings) | 4.8 (3.4K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 29.8% of reviews | 57.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 709K — better | 3.4K |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #206 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 248 MB | 94 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NETGEAR | Skyroam, Inc. |
Customer experience
NETGEAR Nighthawk
SIMO
User reviews
NETGEAR Nighthawk
From 709K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to set up
- 🚀 Improved internet experience
- 🔒 Good security features
- 📊 Useful network monitoring
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Limited device management
- 🔧 Difficult configuration for advanced users
- 🔔 Excessive notifications and upsells
SIMO
From 3.4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Reliable connectivity
- 🌍 Works in many countries
- 🔋 Good battery life
- 📱 Easy to use app
- 💻 Convenient for remote work
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- ⚠️ Throttling after data limit
- 🔍 Confusing app functionality
- 💳 Misleading subscription plans
- 🤖 Poor customer support
Bugs and requests
NETGEAR Nighthawk
Reported bugs
4 issues- App fails to detect or connect to router
- Device list inaccurate or inconsistent
- Firmware updates causing connectivity problems
- App crashing or freezing
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to customize device names and icons
- Parental controls with time limits and scheduling
- Improved remote access and management
- Better integration with other Netgear products
SIMO
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes or freezes
- Login issues on mobile devices
- Inaccurate data usage reporting
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to manage connected devices
- Option to change hotspot name and password
- Improved app stability and performance
In-app purchases
NETGEAR Nighthawk
No in-app purchases
SIMO
- 6 Months Mega Pack$449.99
- 6 Months Mega Pack$499.99
Questions
Is NETGEAR Nighthawk free?
Is SIMO free?
Which has better reviews, NETGEAR Nighthawk or SIMO?
Do NETGEAR Nighthawk or SIMO have ads?
Which is updated more often, NETGEAR Nighthawk or SIMO?
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