# CSDN vs Storm Sniffer

The clearest difference is rating: CSDN at 4.7 against Storm Sniffer's 3.9. CSDN also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Storm Sniffer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (76% vs 45%). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CSDN sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month and Storm Sniffer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CSDN holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CSDN has 1.7K ratings behind it against 120, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 45% of CSDN's written reviews are positive against 76% of Storm Sniffer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

CSDN ships an update weekly, Storm Sniffer monthly. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | CSDN | Storm Sniffer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/csdn/id1437086352/reviews)** | [3.9 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storm-sniffer-packet-capture/id1610958307/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 120 |
| Positive reviews | 45.2% of reviews | **76.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #95 | **#15** |
| Size | 180 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **10.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CSDN Network Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1518701308) | [Hunan Storm Technology Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1492666305) |

## What reviewers say

### CSDN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/csdn/id1437086352)

**Currently charting:** #95 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app is a professional technical platform for developers, offering a vast collection of code resources, training courses, expert Q&A, and the latest industry news. It aims to solve programming challenges and provide reliable answers for all technical queries.

**Highlights:** Extensive code resources, Professional training courses, One-on-one expert Q&A, Latest industry news, Programming learning platform, Technical Q&A

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP连续包月 | $12.99 | per month |
| OpenClaw体验包 | $2.99 | one-time |
| 30元储值币 | $3.99 | one-time |
| 50元储值币 | $6.99 | one-time |
| 68元储值币 | $9.99 | one-time |
| 100元储值币 | $14.99 | one-time |
| CSDN VIP 月卡 | $14.99 | one-time |
| 128元储值币 | $19.99 | one-time |
| C知道360天权益卡 | $22.99 | one-time |
| 200元储值币 | $29.99 | one-time |
| 268元储值币 | $39.99 | one-time |
| CSDN周边 \| 赠VIP年卡 | $39.99 | one-time |
| 328元储值币 | $49.99 | one-time |
| CSDN 超级VIP年卡 | $59.99 | one-time |
| CSDN VIP两年卡 | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Suggested feature: Auto-reading mode
- 💡 Suggested feature: Double-tap to like articles
- 🚀 Resource-rich platform for programmers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🚫 Excessive ads and paywalls
- 🚫 Difficult to use without downloading the app
- 🚫 Lack of international phone number support for registration

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to load full articles on mobile web
- App not working on older iOS versions
- Frequent network connection issues

**Requested features**

- Add English version
- Implement iPad landscape mode with multi-window support
- Introduce more international phone number verification options
- Improve search functionality and article discovery
- Implement automatic night mode


### Storm Sniffer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storm-sniffer-packet-capture/id1610958307)

**Currently charting:** #15 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #146 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Capture and inspect HTTP/HTTPS traffic directly on your iOS device. Debug network issues, rewrite requests and responses in real-time, and replay HTTP requests. Offers advanced scripting capabilities for enhanced scalability.

**Highlights:** Packet capture via local VPN, HTTP/HTTPS request/response inspection, Real-time request/response rewriting, HTTP request replay with cron support, JavaScript scripting for scalability

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Auto-renew VIP | $1.99 | per month |
| Quarter Auto-renew VIP | $3.99 | per 3 months |
| Annual Auto-renew VIP | $12.49 | per year |
| Packet Capture - LiftTime | $2.99 | one-time |
| Full Unlock | $14.99 | one-time |
| Full Unlock | $22.99 | one-time |
| Full Unlock | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Robust security features
- 💡 Innovative functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Stability issues and crashes
- 🔒 Privacy concerns around data collection
- 💰 Paywall for core features
- 🌐 Compatibility problems with older devices/OS

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes
- Subscription/account issues
- Incompatibility with certain devices/OS versions

**Requested features**

- Add support for web server monitoring
- Integrate VPN functionality
- Improve HTTPS traffic capture
- Provide more customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CSDN free?

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

### Is Storm Sniffer free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CSDN or Storm Sniffer?

CSDN is rated higher. CSDN averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Storm Sniffer averages 3.9 from 120 ratings.

### Do CSDN or Storm Sniffer have ads?

CSDN shows ads; Storm Sniffer does not.

### Which is updated more often, CSDN or Storm Sniffer?

CSDN ships an update weekly, and Storm Sniffer monthly. Most recently, CSDN was updated on October 22, 2026 and Storm Sniffer on October 22, 2026.

### Which is more popular, CSDN or Storm Sniffer?

CSDN currently peaks at #95 in the App Store charts, and Storm Sniffer at #15. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*