Comparison

The FireBeam BLUE vs IP Scanner

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The FireBeam BLUE

Features
Read full description

Use with The FireBeam BLUE smoke detector to commission and maintain the Firebeam. Use in conjunction with The FireBeam BLUE to commission the motorised beam head via a Bluetooth connection as The FireBeam BLUE is not supplied with a physical controller. From this app you can also adjust beam parameters such as time to fire and fault and have access to mode changes and beam maintenance. From this app you can also set an optional numerical passcode in The FireBeam BLUE beam head to prevent other app users from accessing that detector head. Users familiar with The Fire Beam will quickly understand and enjoy the benefits this Bluetooth app provides. Please note that without this app you will be unable to commission or maintain The FireBeam BLUE beam detector.

About

IP Scanner

This app scans your local network to identify all active devices. It offers fast results, customizable device information, and tools like PING and Wake on LAN. Save and manage past scans for easy reference.

Highlights
  • Fast network scanning
  • Customizable device names and icons
  • Save and review past scans
  • PING, Wake on LAN, Port Scan tools
  • Save and import custom device lists
  • Import/export scan results
Features
Read full description

IP Scanner for iOS scans your local area network to determine the identity of all active machines and internet devices on the LAN. Powerful results, yet easy, quick and intuitive to use. Key features: * Extremely fast scan results * Customizable results - assign your own names and icons to discovered devices * Save and consult past scans * PING, Wake on LAN and Port Scan tools built right in * Save and import custom device lists, or sync via iCloud * Import/export scan results via email or bonjour * Clean, professional design that is customizable and easy to use The free version has no restrictions at all on functionality and can identify up to 15 devices at a time. * To unlock unlimited devices in a scan, we offer an in-app upgrade to Pro. * For even more features, including realtime push notifications on network changes, a network DVR-style history browser and a true universal app bundle with native, optimized versions for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Apple Watch, check out IP Scanner Ultra in the app store https://apple.co/3gz0tu6

Screenshots

The FireBeam BLUE4 screens
IP Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The FireBeam BLUE at none against IP Scanner's 4. The FireBeam BLUE also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26). IP Scanner's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 11 months) and device support (6 vs 2). On price and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. IP Scanner sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. The FireBeam BLUE asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The FireBeam BLUE ships an update every 11 months, IP Scanner fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
The FireBeam BLUE versus IP Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe FireBeam BLUEIP Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.6 (896 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—60.6% of reviews
Number of ratings—896 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS17.6 — better26
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Fire Beam Company LimitedMatia labs, inc.

Bugs and requests

The FireBeam BLUE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

IP Scanner

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Unstable on macOS
  • Inconsistent scan results across devices
  • Loses custom device names after scans
  • Detects devices that are no longer on the network

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to print selected fields
  • Include notes in printouts
  • Resizable settings window
  • Option to block or remove devices
  • Improved device identification

In-app purchases

None

The FireBeam BLUE

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

IP Scanner

One-time4
  • IP Scanner Pro Upgrade (iOS)$19.99
  • IP Scanner Pro Upgrade (MacOS)$19.99
  • IP Scanner Ultra (from Pro)$19.99
Show 1 more
  • IP Scanner Ultra$39.99

Questions

Is The FireBeam BLUE free?
The FireBeam BLUE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IP Scanner free?
IP Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The FireBeam BLUE or IP Scanner have ads?
Neither The FireBeam BLUE nor IP Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The FireBeam BLUE or IP Scanner?
The FireBeam BLUE ships an update every 11 months, and IP Scanner fortnightly. Most recently, The FireBeam BLUE was updated on November 3, 2026 and IP Scanner on November 3, 2026.

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