PortKnock vs atvTools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PortKnock
This utility allows network administrators to send custom port knock sequences to servers. It requires a port knock daemon on the server and offers features like password protection, knock validation, and host management.
- Password Protection
- Knock Validation
- Import/Export Hosts
- Auto App Launcher
- Shows External IP Address
- TCP/UDP Configuration
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-- Overview -- This application is a simple port knocker for the iPhone, generally useful only to network administrators. You *must* have a port knock daemon running on your server for this application to be useful. Features in this version of Port Knock: - Password Protection - Knock Validation - Import/Export Hosts - Auto App Launcher(+) - Knock Progress Screen - Shows your External IP Address - Arbitrary number of ports per host - An unlimited number of host definitions - TCP/UDP configuration per port - Selectively sending knocks through WiFi or Carrier/3G networks - Configurable interpacket delay - Has no advertising -- Use Cases -- This app is ideal if you're on a WiFi network but don't have a port knocker on the available computers. If you're sitting behind a NAT, the iPhone/iPod Touch will have the same IP as any of the other computers on your network. This is also great to use with TouchTerm or any other ssh or telnet software for the iPhone.Just give it the hostname and a list of ports, and whether you want it to send TCP or UDP packets. -- Brief Description of Port Knocking for the Layman -- Port Knocking is a technique to secure services behind a firewall until a specific knock sequence is given. This is not to be confused with port scanning (a network management tool for discovering open services on a system). Imagine you left your kids at home alone. You don't want them to open the door for strangers. And when a stranger comes knocking, you don't even want them to come to the door, because you don't want them to know your kids are there. But, when you or other family members come, you might want them to open the door for you. So you teach them to listen for a certain rattat-tat-tat or special knock that only you and your family know. This is the same concept you can apply to your servers. If you run a knock daemon on your server, this app then lets you send the special knock to it. A more technical description of port knocking can be found on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_knocking -- Additional Info -- If you're in need of a knock server, I personally use Judd Vinet's knock daemon for linux. It's quite easy to use: http://www.zeroflux.org/projects/knock You can find of information and a nice list of other knock clients and servers over at http://www.portknocking.org/ -- Notes -- + There are some restrictions regarding the Auto App Launcher. For SSH, you can only create temporary connections. For Mail, you will always be shown a new compose mail window first. Unfortunately, this is due to the way App integration works on iOS. There's not much I can do to address these issues at this time. -- Support -- For better support, please send bug reports and feature requests to danny@sungheroes.com, rather than simply posting it in a review. You can find more info on using PortKnock at the main website: http://www.sungheroes.com/products/portknock-iphone/ -- History -- 2022-02-28 PortKnock 4.18 released. LaunchApp automatically works again. Fixed some import bugs. 2018-01-xx PortKnock 4.12 supports IPv6 2017-09-xx PortKnock 4.0 released for iOS 10.3 2013-02-15 PortKnock 3.2 should work again on iOS5 2011-Jul-10 PortKnock 3.0.833 released. Added password protection, knock validation, import/export hosts, auto app launcher, and knock progress screen. 2010-Dec-14 PortKnock 2.02 released. Added a 'copy hosts' feature. Host/Port reordering should now work correctly. Entry fields should now work properly on iOS 4.2.1. 2010-Sep-25 PortKnock 2.01 is now available in the app store. iPhone 4's should no longer have an issue. If you are experiencing problems, please email me. 2010-Sep-09 The iPhone4 issue should be resolved. A bug fix release has been submitted. Thank you all for your patience!
atvTools
Control your Android TV devices remotely from your iOS device. Install apps, manage existing ones, transfer files, and even use your phone as a remote. Offers advanced features like shell commands and system monitoring.
- Install apps remotely
- Manage TV apps (open, uninstall, disable)
- File transfer from phone to TV
- Remote control and mouse mode
- Run shell commands
- System monitoring (CPU, RAM, storage)
- Screenshot and screen recording
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App developed to control your TV devices from your iOS devices. You need to have enabled USB/Network debugging on your Android device to get it work Depending on the device, some functions may not be available. Also it is not tested App allows: - Install (sideload) apps from your iOS device to your TV devices - Control your TV apps (include opening, uninstalling, disabling/enabling and downloading APK) - Control apps permissions (grant/revoke) - Build-in File Manager - Make screenshot or screenrecord (you can't capture any video content due to OS restrictions) - Send files from your phone to TV - Control your device using remote control and mouse mode in the app - Open channels on your iOS device (only Android TV 8+) - Paste text from your phone - Run Shell commands - Clear all apps cache using one button - Reboot and power TV device - See usage of CPU, RAM, network and storage - See running apps and force-stop them if needed
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: atvTools at free against PortKnock's paid. atvTools also leads on ratings volume (168 vs 9) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). PortKnock's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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
PortKnock costs $0.99 and atvTools $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
PortKnock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: atvTools has 168 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of PortKnock's written reviews are positive against 68% of atvTools's.
PortKnock ships an update every 7 months, atvTools every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PortKnock | atvTools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better | 4.8 (168 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 76.0% of reviews — better | 68.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 168 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #22 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Danny Sung | Oleksandr Hamlii |
Customer experience
PortKnock
atvTools
In-app purchases
PortKnock
No in-app purchases
atvTools
No in-app purchases









