Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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).

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

nRF Device Firmware Update3 screens
Network Sniffer4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Network Sniffer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. nRF Device Firmware Update asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
nRF Device Firmware Update versus Network Sniffer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameternRF Device Firmware UpdateNetwork Sniffer
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (9 ratings)4.6 (198 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews71.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9198 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#146 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB65 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNordic Semiconductor ASACHENGDU MIAOZHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Customer experience

nRF Device Firmware Update

All ratings9 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative55.6%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

Network Sniffer

All ratings188 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative8.5%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive71.1%
Neutral2.6%
Negative26.3%

In-app purchases

None

nRF Device Firmware Update

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Network Sniffer

One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$7.99

Questions

Is nRF Device Firmware Update free?
nRF Device Firmware Update is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Network Sniffer free?
Network Sniffer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, nRF Device Firmware Update or Network Sniffer?
Network Sniffer is rated higher. nRF Device Firmware Update averages 2.2 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Network Sniffer averages 4.6 from 198 ratings.
Do nRF Device Firmware Update or Network Sniffer have ads?
Neither nRF Device Firmware Update nor Network Sniffer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nRF Device Firmware Update or Network Sniffer?
nRF Device Firmware Update ships an update every 9 months, and Network Sniffer every 3 weeks. Most recently, nRF Device Firmware Update was updated on October 31, 2026 and Network Sniffer on October 30, 2026.

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