# SURFboard Central vs PPG MagicBox

SURFboard Central and PPG MagicBox are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | SURFboard Central | PPG MagicBox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.6 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surfboard-central/id1478418148/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 10.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 193 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ARRIS Group, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/571770115) | [PPG Industries, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/377005071) |

## What reviewers say

### SURFboard Central

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surfboard-central/id1478418148)

Simplify the setup and management of your home network devices. This app provides step-by-step installation guides, Wi-Fi configuration, and network monitoring for various modems, routers, and mesh systems.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step device installation guides, Wi-Fi network configuration and management, Guest network setup, Client device monitoring, Parental controls and screen time management, Network health monitoring

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast setup
- 💡 Helpful for monitoring home network
- 🔒 Secure connection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔍 Limited functionality
- 💤 Slow and unresponsive
- 🤔 Confusing setup process
- 🔒 Poor security and privacy

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Fails to connect to network
- Incorrect device information displayed
- Parental controls don't work as expected
- Unable to change network name or password

**Requested features**

- Add more advanced configuration options
- Improve parental controls and internet scheduling
- Provide a web-based interface instead of just a mobile app
- Allow users to bypass the app and access router settings directly


### PPG MagicBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ppg-magicbox/id1658154076)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SURFboard Central free?

SURFboard Central is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PPG MagicBox free?

PPG MagicBox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do SURFboard Central or PPG MagicBox have ads?

Neither SURFboard Central nor PPG MagicBox shows ads.

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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.*