# Ping Network Scanner vs AC_thing

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AC_thing at none against Ping Network Scanner's 4. AC_thing also leads on ads (none vs shown). Ping Network Scanner's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 6 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ping Network Scanner sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. AC_thing asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ping Network Scanner ships an update daily, AC_thing every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ping Network Scanner | AC_thing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 19 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Guang Hui YANG](https://appshunter.io/developer/1519797180) | [Dave Fox](https://appshunter.io/developer/414816486) |

## What reviewers say

### Ping Network Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ping-network-scanner/id1546615804)

Monitor network performance with detailed pings, DNS lookups, and traceroutes directly from your device. Analyze latency, packet loss, and identify network devices. Offers free basic monitoring and advanced features through a one-time purchase.

**Highlights:** Host monitoring with live latency charts, Traceroute with hop mapping, DNS lookup for various record types, Local network device scanning, Public IP address and country identification, Wake on LAN functionality, Comparison of connections across Wi-Fi, cellular, and VPN

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ping Monitor | $1.99 | per month |
| Ping Monitor Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Ads remover | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ping Pro | $5.99 | one-time |


### AC_thing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ac-thing/id6739003563)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ping Network Scanner free?

Ping Network Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is AC_thing free?

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

### Do Ping Network Scanner or AC_thing have ads?

Ping Network Scanner shows ads; AC_thing does not.

### Which is updated more often, Ping Network Scanner or AC_thing?

Ping Network Scanner ships an update daily, and AC_thing every 6 weeks. Most recently, Ping Network Scanner was updated on November 7, 2026 and AC_thing on October 25, 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.*