# Brook.app vs Node.js Lab

The clearest difference is ads: Brook.app at none against Node.js Lab's shown. Brook.app also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (84% vs 63%). Node.js Lab's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Brook.app sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Node.js Lab sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Brook.app holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brook.app has 177 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Brook.app's written reviews are positive against 63% of Node.js Lab's.

Brook.app ships an update every 6 weeks, Node.js Lab every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Brook.app | Node.js Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (177 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brookapp/id1216002642/reviews)** | [3.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nodejs-lab/id1550710789/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **177** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | **83.7% of reviews** | 62.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#102** | #153 |
| Size | 67 MB | 154 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TxThinking, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1634589596) | [Firas Moussa](https://appshunter.io/developer/547104847) |

## What reviewers say

### Brook.app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brookapp/id1216002642)

**Currently charting:** #102 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #169 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This cross-platform network tool requires server deployment. A paid subscription offers enhanced features to support ongoing development and project continuity.

**Highlights:** Cross-platform network tool, Client-server software, Server deployment required, Paid subscription for advanced features, Supports project continuity

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brook Plus | $1.99 | per month |
| Brook Plus | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Perfect UDP support
- 🔒 Server information hiding capability
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
- 💪 Powerful network tool with extensive features
- 🌍 Cross-platform compatibility

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and auto-disconnects
- ⏱️ App crashes and performance degradation
- 📵 iOS 12 compatibility issues
- 🔌 VPN background process termination
- ❌ Limited app support (Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook)

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent unexpected disconnections
- VPN process killed in background
- iOS 12.1 connection failures
- Connection button shows connected but not actually connected
- App crashes without warning

**Requested features**

- Server naming and alias functionality
- Auto-connect feature
- Global proxy toggle button
- Mac application version
- VPN support


### Node.js Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nodejs-lab/id1550710789)

**Currently charting:** #153 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Develop and run Node.js web applications directly on your iOS device, even offline. This app includes a full Node.js environment with NPM, a script editor, and debugging tools. It also functions as a standalone web application and offers extensive file management capabilities.

**Highlights:** Offline Node.js environment, Integrated Git client, Multi-tabbed script editor, NPM support, Standalone web app functionality, Remote file management, Offline documentation

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock all features | $4.99 | one-time |
| Standalone Web Application | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Brook.app free?

Brook.app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Node.js Lab free?

Node.js Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Brook.app or Node.js Lab?

Brook.app is rated higher. Brook.app averages 4.3 out of 5 from 177 ratings, while Node.js Lab averages 3.9 from 24 ratings.

### Do Brook.app or Node.js Lab have ads?

Node.js Lab shows ads; Brook.app does not.

### Which is updated more often, Brook.app or Node.js Lab?

Brook.app ships an update every 6 weeks, and Node.js Lab every 5 weeks. Most recently, Brook.app was updated on September 29, 2026 and Node.js Lab on September 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Brook.app or Node.js Lab?

Brook.app currently peaks at #102 in the App Store charts, and Node.js Lab at #153. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*