nRF Device Firmware Update vs Network Sniffer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
nRF Device Firmware Update
This application enables Over-The-Air Device Firmware Upgrade (OTA-DFU) for nRF5 devices using Bluetooth LE. It supports updating firmware in .zip format, prepared with the 'nrf util' tool.
- Over-The-Air Device Firmware Upgrade (OTA-DFU)
- Bluetooth LE connectivity
- Supports nRF5x Series chips
- Updates Secure or Legacy DFU bootloaders
- Requires .zip firmware format
- Uses 'nrf util' for firmware preparation
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The nRF5x Series chips are flash-based SoCs, and as such they represent the most flexible solution available. A key feature of the nRF5x Series and their associated software architecture and S-Series SoftDevices is the possibility for Over-The-Air Device Firmware Upgrade (OTA-DFU) over Bluetooth LE. The DFU application allows to update nRF5 devices using Secure or Legacy DFU bootloader from nRF5 SDK version 4.3 or newer. The firmware should be in .zip file format, prepared using "nrf util" (https://github.com/NordicSemiconductor/pc-nrfutil).
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
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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 review sentiment: Network Sniffer at 71% against nRF Device Firmware Update's 20%. Network Sniffer also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months). nRF Device Firmware Update's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#146 vs unranked). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. nRF Device Firmware Update asks for nothing beyond the download.
Network Sniffer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Network Sniffer has 198 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of nRF Device Firmware Update's written reviews are positive against 71% of Network Sniffer's.
nRF Device Firmware Update ships an update every 9 months, Network Sniffer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | nRF Device Firmware Update | Network Sniffer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (9 ratings) | 4.6 (198 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | 71.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 198 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #146 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 65 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nordic Semiconductor ASA | CHENGDU MIAOZHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
Customer experience
nRF Device Firmware Update
Network Sniffer
In-app purchases
nRF Device Firmware Update
No in-app purchases
Network Sniffer
- Lifetime Premium$7.99
Questions
Is nRF Device Firmware Update free?
Is Network Sniffer free?
Which has better reviews, nRF Device Firmware Update or Network Sniffer?
Do nRF Device Firmware Update or Network Sniffer have ads?
Which is updated more often, nRF Device Firmware Update or Network Sniffer?
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