Comparison

Meshtastic vs PCAP Analyzer · File Reader

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

Head to head
About

Meshtastic

This app enables off-grid, decentralized communication via a low-power mesh network. Send text messages in areas lacking cellular or WiFi service.

Highlights
  • Off-grid communication
  • Decentralized mesh network
  • Low-power LoRa radio support
  • Text messaging
  • No cellular/WiFi required
Features
Read full description

Meshtastic® is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on low-power Lora radios letting you send text messages in areas without reliable cellular or WiFi service.

About

PCAP Analyzer · File Reader

Features
Read full description

PCAP Analyzer opens and analyzes .pcap and .pcapng network captures right on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with no desktop required. Troubleshoot a flaky connection, investigate a security incident, or learn how networks really work, with a fast, deep, and clear packet analyzer in your pocket. Open captures created by tcpdump, tshark, and any standard pcap or pcapng tool, and read the wire like a page. DEEP PROTOCOL DECODING Every frame is dissected down to the field: Ethernet and VLAN, IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, ICMP, ICMPv6, IGMP, ARP, DNS, mDNS, LLMNR, DHCP, HTTP, HTTP/2, TLS, DTLS, QUIC, SMB2, SNMP, NTP, RADIUS, TFTP, MQTT, SCTP, GRE, ESP, and NetFlow/IPFIX. A clean, tappable detail tree and a full hex view show every byte. TLS FINGERPRINTING, JA3 AND JA4 PCAP Analyzer computes JA3 and JA4 client fingerprints natively, and even decrypts QUIC Initial packets to recover the SNI and fingerprints, analysis that usually needs desktop plugins. FIND THE PROBLEM FAST • Color coded packets, so retransmissions, resets, errors, and stalls stand out • Expert diagnostics: TCP retransmissions, duplicate ACKs, zero window stalls, connection resets, HTTP errors, and DNS failures • Threat detection: port and host scans, suspicious C2 and backdoor ports, possible DNS tunneling, and cleartext credentials POWERFUL DISPLAY FILTER A real, field aware filter language with autocomplete and saved filters: tcp.port == 443, tls.sni contains "example", tcp.analysis.zero_window, dns or http. Tap any field in a packet to filter by it instantly. STATISTICS AND VISUALS Conversations, Endpoints, Protocol Hierarchy, a network topology map, an I/O graph, Follow Stream with a TCP sequence and time graph, and automatic name resolution, so you see hostnames instead of raw IP addresses. ON-DEVICE AI On supported iPhones with Apple Intelligence, an on device model summarizes a capture in plain language and turns plain English requests into filters, like "show failed connections". It runs entirely on your device, and your capture never leaves your phone. BUILT FOR BIG CAPTURES A native streaming engine opens very large captures without running out of memory, files that crash other mobile viewers. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Everything happens on your device. PCAP Analyzer reads saved files only, captures no live traffic, needs no special permissions, and never uploads your data. Privacy Policy: https://rush.tools/privacy Terms of Use: https://rush.tools/terms

Screenshots

Meshtastic4 screens
PCAP Analyzer · File Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Meshtastic at none against PCAP Analyzer · File Reader's 2. PCAP Analyzer · File Reader's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.5). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. PCAP Analyzer · File Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Meshtastic asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Meshtastic ships an update every 10 days, PCAP Analyzer · File Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Meshtastic versus PCAP Analyzer · File Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMeshtasticPCAP Analyzer · File Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (803 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings803 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS17.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB26 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMeshtastic LLCRush Tools LLC

Bugs and requests

Meshtastic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Canned messages configuration issues
  • Location sharing and traceroute functions not working
  • Settings screen bugs and crashes
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline maps support
  • Ability to customize notifications
  • More sorting and filtering options for nodes
  • Apple Watch and Shortcuts integration
  • Improved documentation and user guidance

PCAP Analyzer · File Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Meshtastic

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

PCAP Analyzer · File Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Pro Annual$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Meshtastic free?
Meshtastic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PCAP Analyzer · File Reader free?
PCAP Analyzer · File Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Meshtastic or PCAP Analyzer · File Reader have ads?
Neither Meshtastic nor PCAP Analyzer · File Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Meshtastic or PCAP Analyzer · File Reader?
Meshtastic ships an update every 10 days, and PCAP Analyzer · File Reader every 5 days. Most recently, Meshtastic was updated on September 27, 2026 and PCAP Analyzer · File Reader on September 22, 2026.

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