Comparison

Network Sniffer vs Tracer

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

Head to head
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

About

Tracer

Monitor all network requests your iPhone makes in real-time, locally on your device. Identify third-party services, inspect request details, and understand where your data is going without it ever leaving your phone.

Highlights
  • Real-time network request monitoring
  • Inspect headers, bodies, and timing
  • Identify third-party services
  • Visualize server locations on a globe
  • Local data processing for privacy
  • No account required
Features
Read full description

Ever wonder what your apps are actually doing? Tracer lets you watch every network request your iPhone makes in real time. See where your data goes, who’s receiving it, and exactly what’s being sent - all without your traffic ever leaving your device. WATCH TRAFFIC LIVE * Every request flies across a live 3D globe * Inspect headers, bodies, timing, status codes, and more * See exactly where each server lives SEE WHO’S REALLY BEHIND AN APP * Instantly identify analytics, ads, payments, crash reporting, AI, and other third-party services * See who’s hosting them: AWS, Google Cloud, Cloudflare, and more PRIVATE BY DESIGN * Everything runs locally on your iPhone * Traffic is never uploaded * Your certificates are generated on-device and never leaves it * No account required BUILT FOR * App-curious who want to learn what apps are built with * Developers debugging APIs * QA teams testing apps on real devices * Privacy nerds who want receipts Setup takes just a few minutes. Install Tracer’s certificate, start a capture, and open any app. Your phone. Your traffic. Your business. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tracer is free to use. Certain features require a paid subscription. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Network Sniffer4 screens
Tracer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Network Sniffer at 4.6 against Tracer's 4.0. Network Sniffer also leads on ratings volume (196 vs 1) and chart position (#89 vs unranked). Tracer's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 71%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and Tracer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Network Sniffer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Network Sniffer has 196 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of Network Sniffer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Tracer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Network Sniffer ships an update every 3 weeks, Tracer daily. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Network Sniffer versus Tracer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNetwork SnifferTracer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (196 ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews71.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings196 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#89 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCHENGDU MIAOZHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Ryan Kotzebue

Customer experience

Network Sniffer

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

Tracer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Network Sniffer

One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$7.99
3 purchases

Tracer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro access$4.997 Days
  • Pro access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro access$199.00

Questions

Is Network Sniffer free?
Network Sniffer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tracer free?
Tracer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Network Sniffer or Tracer?
Network Sniffer is rated higher. Network Sniffer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 196 ratings, while Tracer averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Network Sniffer or Tracer have ads?
Neither Network Sniffer nor Tracer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Network Sniffer or Tracer?
Network Sniffer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tracer daily. Most recently, Network Sniffer was updated on October 20, 2026 and Tracer on October 15, 2026.

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