Ping vs knock(1)
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ping
This network utility tests host reachability on IP networks. It supports both IPv4 and IPv6, with configurable settings for TTL, timeout, interval, and packet size. The app includes a library of favorite hosts and operates in the background.
- IPv4 and IPv6 support
- Configurable TTL, timeout, interval, packet size
- Favorite hosts library
- Background mode
- Free to use
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Ping is a network utility used to test the reachability of a host on an IP network. Features: - Supports both IPv4 and IPv6 - Configurable TTL, timeout, send interval, and packet size - Built-in library of favorite hosts - Background mode (up to 30 seconds) - Completely free, no ads
knock(1)
This utility app allows you to remotely open firewall ports on your server using a saved sequence of connection attempts from your iPhone. It supports TCP or UDP for each port and provides live feedback on the connection status.
- Save and reuse multiple host configurations
- Per-port TCP or UDP selection
- Configurable inter-packet delay
- Live per-port result display
- Native SwiftUI interface
- No tracking or analytics
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Knock is a minimal, native port-knocking client for iOS. Open ports in your firewall - SSH, VPN, admin panels - by sending a saved sequence from your iPhone. Save named configurations with a host, a list of ports, a delay, and a timeout. Each port can be independently TCP or UDP. Run the sequence with a single tap and watch each knock's result stream in live. FEATURES • Save and reuse multiple host configurations • Per-port TCP or UDP selection • Configurable inter-packet delay and socket timeout • Live per-port result display • Clean SwiftUI interface, native look and feel • No tracking, no analytics, no accounts HOW IT WORKS Port knocking is a technique for opening firewall ports on demand: your server watches for a specific sequence of connection attempts (for example, TCP/7000, UDP/8000, TCP/9000), and only opens a protected service like SSH after seeing the right pattern. knock(1) lets you send those sequences from your phone, allowing you to connect to your servers on the go. COMPATIBLE knock(1)'s behavior matches the reference jvinet/knock client - if your server runs knockd, knock(1) works out of the box. PRIVACY knock(1) connects only to the hosts you configure. It does not send telemetry, does not use analytics SDKs, and does not require an account. Your saved configurations stay on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: knock(1) at 5.0 against Ping's 4.3. knock(1) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Ping's advantage is ratings volume (376 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Ping sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. knock(1) asks for nothing beyond the download.
knock(1) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ping has 376 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Ping ships an update every 3 months, knock(1) every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ping | knock(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (376 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 84.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 376 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Iurii Mozharovskyi | Jeffrey Cousens |
Bugs and requests
Ping
Reported bugs
3 issues- Sliders are difficult to use for precise settings
- Ping results not always accurate
- App becomes unresponsive or crashes at times
Requested features
6 requests- Add audible ping notification
- Implement dark mode
- Allow setting custom port for pinging
- Provide timestamp for ping history
- Extend ping interval options (up to 1 minute)
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- Display resolved IP address even on timeouts
knock(1)
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Ping
- Golden Star$0.99
knock(1)
No in-app purchases







