Spectre VPN vs Network Sniffer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Spectre VPN
This app provides secure internet access using Shadowsocks and Trojan protocols. It offers strong encryption to protect your privacy from third parties and features an intuitive design for ease of use. It is available for free.
- Shadowsocks and Trojan protocol support
- Strong encryption for privacy
- Lightweight and efficient proxy
- Intuitive and simple design
- Free to use
Read full descriptionHide full description
A multi-protocol VPN and proxy client for your own servers. Import subscriptions, control traffic with routing rules, and connect from your Home Screen. IMPORT ONCE, KEEP SERVERS TOGETHER Add a server by scanning its QR code, pasting a link, or entering the details yourself. Import subscriptions to manage multiple nodes in one place. Check server latency before choosing a connection. CHOOSE WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR PROXY Use Global mode for proxy routing, or Rule mode to choose which traffic connects directly and which uses your proxy. Edit your own rules or import a rule list from a URL. CONNECT FROM YOUR HOME SCREEN See the active server and connection status in the widget, then use its switch to connect or disconnect. On iOS 18 and later, add Spectre VPN to Control Center for another quick way to control your connection. USE THE PROTOCOL YOUR SERVER NEEDS - Shadowsocks and Trojan - VMess and VLESS - Hysteria2 and TUIC - SOCKS and HTTP For advanced setups, use a complete custom sing-box JSON configuration. The app interface supports 14 languages. BRING YOUR OWN SERVER Spectre does not include VPN servers or sell VPN service subscriptions. A compatible server configuration or subscription link is required.
Network Sniffer
Analyze your device's network activity to understand app behavior. Identify which apps are connecting to the internet, their data usage, and potential privacy risks. Gain control over your network with detailed visual reports and advanced inspection tools.
- Deep network analysis with visual reports
- Capture HTTP/HTTPS/WebSocket traffic
- External proxy for custom inspection
- JavaScript scripting for custom rules
- Request replay and rewrite
- Real-time speed and data usage widgets
Read full descriptionHide full description
Network Sniffer is an intelligent network activity analyzer that helps you understand what your apps are really doing online. No technical skills required — easily identify: Which apps are secretly connecting to the internet? Are they sending requests frequently in the background? Is your privacy at risk or data being wasted? You're no longer a passive user — you're in control. Core Features (not limited to): 1. Deep Network Analysis: Visual reports showing which apps are connecting, what they are sending, how often, and whether there’s abnormal or wasteful activity. 2. Network Sniffing: Capture HTTP/HTTPS/WebSocket traffic on your iOS device, with full MITM support for encrypted traffic analysis. 3. External Proxy: Route device traffic through an external proxy server, enabling custom inspection, filtering, and debugging of network requests. 4. JavaScript Scripting: Create custom rules and behaviors using JavaScript to enhance and personalize your network inspection. 5. Request Replays: Resend captured requests to test app behavior under various conditions — ideal for debugging and performance testing. 6. Request/Response Rewrite: Modify headers and bodies of requests and responses on the fly, giving you unmatched control over data flows. 7. Client Proxy: Forward requests from other devices on your local network to this device for centralized debugging. 8. Upstream Proxy Support: Forward HTTP requests to a third-party proxy server for advanced testing or network routing scenarios. 9. Widgets & Dynamic Island Support: Monitor upload/download speeds and data usage in real time via homescreen widgets or the iPhone Dynamic Island. Permissions Network Sniffer requires VPN permission to function. This is only used for local traffic capture — no remote servers or proxying involved. Privacy Notice Network Sniffer does not upload any of your data and does not include any proxy, VPN bypass, or "scientific access" functions. Your data stays on your device. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to contact us at miaozhi.ai@gmail.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Network Sniffer at 4.6 against Spectre VPN's 3.9. Network Sniffer also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Spectre VPN's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#122 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Network Sniffer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Spectre VPN asks for nothing beyond the download.
Network Sniffer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 253 and 201 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Spectre VPN's written reviews are positive against 71% of Network Sniffer's.
Spectre VPN ships an update every 2 weeks, Network Sniffer every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.
| Parameter | Spectre VPN | Network Sniffer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (253 ratings) | 4.6 (201 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.1% of reviews | 71.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 253 — better | 201 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #122 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 136 MB | 65 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Passion Only | CHENGDU MIAOZHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
Customer experience
Spectre VPN
Network Sniffer
Bugs and requests
Spectre VPN
Reported bugs
2 issues- Crashes on iOS 12.5.5 and older
- Incompatibility with certain devices and OS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Support for more protocols (e.g., VMess, VLESS, SSTP)
- Server sorting by ping/latency
- Websocket connection support
- Manual server configuration
- Multiple server import from clipboard
Network Sniffer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Spectre VPN
No in-app purchases
Network Sniffer
- Lifetime Premium$7.99
Questions
Is Spectre VPN free?
Is Network Sniffer free?
Which has better reviews, Spectre VPN or Network Sniffer?
Do Spectre VPN or Network Sniffer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Spectre VPN or Network Sniffer?
Other comparisons















