Comparison

Network Utility vs ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager

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

Head to head
About

Network Utility

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
Read full description

Keep under control your network with Network Utility, an user friendly set of network tools that will help you to analyze your LAN, and not only that. ► NETWORK INFO A complete and easy to understand report of your device's network interfaces. In that tab you'll find information like the IP, IPv6, other addresses or the data usage statistics about your Wi-Fi, Internet or Cellular connection (if any). ► CELLULAR DATA MONITOR Don't lose sight of your data usage, with four taps you'll have a data monitor configured and ready to use. The following data usage plans' period are supported: - Daily - Weekly - Monthly - 28 days - 30 days - 90 days ► LAN SCANNER Analyze your Wi-Fi with the LAN Scanner tool. Discovering who is connected to your network and Ping it, is a matter of two taps. Easily manage custom subnets to scan only a portion of your LAN. ► PING Ping a LAN device, Ping a server, ping whatever you want. IPv6 addresses are supported too and advanced options like packet size, timeouts, intervals, etc.. are available and easily configurable. The results of your Ping are available numerically in the aggregated stats, graphically in the real time graph or listed, a row per ICMP response received. ► GEO IP Have you ever wondered where a server or any other IP is located? That's the tool for you, show the location on a map and get additional details like the ISP or the ASN in the details pane. ► DIG A DNS lookup utility made simple. A list clearly shows the result of your query and the advanced options allow you to customize your request from the type of query to the DNS server. ► WHOIS Find any information about a domain name and it's owner e.g. the status, creation date, registrant email and address and many more. ► NSLOOKUP A no-frills textual DNS lookup utility. ► WIDGET * Network Utility comes with an useful widget that brings network informations and the cellular data usage into your notification center, home screen e lock screen. ► EXPORT RESULTS ANYWHERE Every utility has an export button that allows you to export the result of your task to the File app, to the Notes app and many other apps or simply copy the raw textual result. ► MAC APP Network Utility is also available on the Mac App Store as Network Kit X, the same app but tuned to take advantage of macOS. Start a tool on your iPhone/iPad a continue it on your Mac thanks to Handoff and Continuity. !! N.B. - Cellular data monitor is available only on iPhone or iPad with Cellular. - Due to an operating system limitation, LAN Scanner can only show the MAC address of detected devices on iOS 27 and later. Hostname resolution is only available when the LAN gateway is used as the DNS server. - Widgets are updated only at scheduled intervals (e.g. every 5 minutes), so they can show outdated info. Open the app to get info updated in real time. - Data usage widget, full featured network state widgets and lock screen widgets are available only with the Pro upgrade

About

ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager

Easily set up and manage your home Wi-Fi network with this app. It provides a step-by-step guide for initial setup and allows you to monitor connected devices, test speeds, and control network settings remotely. Features include guest network creation and parental controls for managing screen time.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step system setup guide
  • Perform system speed tests
  • View and manage connected devices
  • Remote network management
  • Create guest networks
  • Parental controls for screen time
Features
Read full description

We are excited to announce that we have just released a new application – SURFboard Central – with an upgraded user experience and enhanced functionality. For our new users, we recommend that you start the install experience by downloading the new SURFboard Central app. Tap here https://apps.apple.com/us/app/surfboard-central/id1478418148 to download and launch our new SURFboard Central app. For our current SURFboard mAX Manager users, please follow these steps to easily migrate to the new SURFboard Central app. You will maintain your current Home Network, Parental Control, and all other settings and configuration. 1. Ensure you are using the latest SURFboard mAX Manager app (this app) version. 2. Launch the latest version of the app and follow the instructions on the screen to easily migrate to our new SURFboard Central application. ABOUT the SURFboard Central app Get your Home Network up and running and easily manage your network needs with SURFboard Central - designed to work with your SURFboard mAX Pro/Plus Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System. ARRIS SURFboard® products are your gateway to entertainment. They let you enjoy the latest entertainment seamlessly, providing the fastest speeds, and the coolest new services throughout your home, and beyond. And they're available at major retail locations. For more information, visit www.surfboard.com. The new SURFboard Central app is designed to work with the SURFboard mAX Pro/Plus system, combining an easy-to-use interface and the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology to achieve whole-home coverage. The SURFboard mAX Pro/Plus systems feature an advanced tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh design. It’s third band, with 4x4 Wi-Fi 6, provides a dedicated backhaul to ensure the fastest service speeds across the entire home. The SURFboard Central app easily guides you through your system setup to get your home network up and running quickly and securely. After the initial setup, SURFboard Central will be your network’s control room, where you can securely and easily manage your advanced system settings. App features: • Follow the step-by-step guide to get your system up and running in minutes • Perform system speed tests to check Internet speeds and overall system health • View connected devices on your network, check connection strengths and even data rates • Securely and conveniently manage your network from anywhere using our secured remote management service • Enable a secure and separate Guest Network with easy-to-share credentials for your guests • Create profiles for your kids to manage their screen time with scheduled or manual Internet pause capabilities • Enjoy automatic updates delivered to your system that ensure your system always has the latest security updates, bug fixes, and performance improvements • And more! For more information about the SURFboard Central Application, please visit us at www.surfboard.com

Screenshots

Network Utility4 screens
ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Network Utility at 81% against ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager's 29%. Network Utility also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.4) and ratings volume (626 vs 44). ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Network Utility sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Network Utility holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Network Utility has 626 ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Network Utility's written reviews are positive against 29% of ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Network Utility ships an update every 2 months, ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Network Utility versus ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNetwork UtilityARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (626 ratings) — better2.4 (44 ratings)
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews — better29.2% of reviews
Number of ratings626 — better44
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.69.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFausto RistagnoARRIS Group, Inc.

Customer experience

Network Utility

All ratings626 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews319 reviews
Positive80.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative13.8%

ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager

All ratings44 ratings
Positive29.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative63.6%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive29.2%
Neutral8.3%
Negative62.5%

Bugs and requests

Network Utility

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Incorrect IP address detection
  • Ping feature not working as expected
  • Inability to change subnet mask

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved IPv6 support
  • Ability to reset data usage
  • More detailed network information

ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Network Utility

One-time1
  • PRO Upgrade$2.99
None

ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Network Utility free?
Network Utility is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager free?
ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Network Utility or ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager?
Network Utility is rated higher. Network Utility averages 4.6 out of 5 from 626 ratings, while ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager averages 2.4 from 44 ratings.
Do Network Utility or ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager have ads?
Network Utility shows ads; ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager does not.
Which is updated more often, Network Utility or ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager?
Network Utility ships an update every 2 months, and ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager fortnightly. Most recently, Network Utility was updated on October 19, 2026 and ARRIS SURFboard mAX™ Manager on October 21, 2026.

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