# Bolt IoT vs Private Kit

The clearest difference is rating: Private Kit at 3.7 against Bolt IoT's 2.8. Private Kit also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 weeks). Bolt IoT's advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 32%). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Private Kit holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Kit has 121 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of Bolt IoT's written reviews are positive against 32% of Private Kit's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Bolt IoT ships an update every 5 weeks, Private Kit every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bolt IoT | Private Kit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bolt-iot/id1222570767/reviews) | **[3.7 (121 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-kit/id1501903733/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **121** |
| Positive reviews | **42.9% of reviews** | 32.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 16 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bolt IoT](https://appshunter.io/developer/1439797929) | [Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/353590322) |

## What reviewers say

### Bolt IoT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bolt-iot/id1222570767)

Easily connect and manage your IoT devices. View data graphs, control actuators, and receive alerts. The app provides an intuitive step-by-step Wi-Fi setup for your devices.

**Highlights:** Connect Bolt IoT devices to WiFi, Manage and control devices, View device data graphs, Receive push notifications for alerts, Intuitive Wi-Fi setup process, Control actuators like motors and lights

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Private Kit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-kit/id1501903733)

This app allows you to log your GPS trails directly on your phone. All data is stored locally and remains private until you choose to export it. It efficiently stores location history with minimal space usage.

**Highlights:** Privacy-first location logging, Local data storage, Manual data export, Efficient data storage, Location import/export

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Great idea for contact tracing
- 🔒 Private data logging
- 👍 Appreciated effort by MIT
- 🚀 Potential to slow virus spread
- 👍 Can log location without app open

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❓ Confusing and unclear UI/UX
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🤷 No idea how to use it
- 📉 Poor execution and polish
- 🚫 No support or response

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when trying to view movements on map
- Map crashes/closes app before loading
- App crashes when trying to open map
- App crashes when trying to view overlaps
- Map shows zoomed out view and crashes

**Requested features**

- Better howto and help information
- More rigorous and robust app development
- Simple notebook feature for user contacts
- Clearer explanation of map features (green targets, red pins)
- Option to add locations when without phone


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bolt IoT free?

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

### Is Private Kit free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Bolt IoT or Private Kit?

Private Kit is rated higher. Bolt IoT averages 2.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Private Kit averages 3.7 from 121 ratings.

### Do Bolt IoT or Private Kit have ads?

Bolt IoT shows ads; Private Kit does not.

### Which is updated more often, Bolt IoT or Private Kit?

Bolt IoT ships an update every 5 weeks, and Private Kit every 4 days. Most recently, Bolt IoT was updated on November 2, 2026 and Private Kit on November 5, 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.*