# Discovery vs Network Utility

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Discovery at none against Network Utility's 1. Discovery also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Network Utility's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (625 vs 67). On price, review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Network Utility sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Discovery asks for nothing beyond the download.

Discovery holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Network Utility has 625 ratings behind it against 67, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Discovery's written reviews are positive against 81% of Network Utility's.

Discovery ships an update every 6 months, Network Utility every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Discovery | Network Utility |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (67 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/discovery-dns-sd-browser/id305441017/reviews)** | [4.6 (625 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/network-utility/id573021799/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 67 | **625** |
| Positive reviews | **87.5% of reviews** | 80.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 3 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lily Ballard](https://appshunter.io/developer/305441020) | [Fausto Ristagno](https://appshunter.io/developer/482102205) |

## What reviewers say

### Discovery

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/discovery-dns-sd-browser/id305441017)

This utility displays Bonjour services on your local network or wide-area domains. It helps debug programs, detect connected computers, and monitor available services. Ideal for network administrators and developers.

**Highlights:** Browse local and remote Bonjour services, Automatic domain and service detection, Display service details (domain, IP, TXT record), Network debugging tool, Monitor network devices

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Network Utility

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/network-utility/id573021799)

This app provides a comprehensive suite of network analysis tools for your device. Monitor data usage, scan your local network, perform DNS lookups, and get detailed IP information. Export results and utilize widgets for quick access to network stats.

**Highlights:** Network Information, Cellular Data Monitor, LAN Scanner, Ping Tool, Geo IP Lookup, DNS Lookup (DIG, NSLOOKUP), Domain WHOIS, Widgets

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PRO Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Helpful for network security
- 💡 Comprehensive set of tools
- 🔥 Excellent value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔒 Concerns about data tracking
- 🔋 High data usage
- 💰 Pro version paywall for some features

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect IP address detection
- Ping feature not working as expected
- Inability to change subnet mask

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved IPv6 support
- Ability to reset data usage
- More detailed network information


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Discovery free?

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

### Is Network Utility free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Discovery or Network Utility?

Discovery is rated higher. Discovery averages 4.8 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while Network Utility averages 4.6 from 625 ratings.

### Do Discovery or Network Utility have ads?

Network Utility shows ads; Discovery does not.

### Which is updated more often, Discovery or Network Utility?

Discovery ships an update every 6 months, and Network Utility every 2 months. Most recently, Discovery was updated on September 19, 2026 and Network Utility on September 27, 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.*