Comparison

ChatTCP vs WA Backup Reader

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

Head to head
About

ChatTCP

Easily view and analyze network packets, similar to reading chat logs. Supports TCP and UDP protocols with features for diagnostic analysis and data structure viewing. Decode application layer protocols and export HTTP files.

Highlights
  • View TCP/UDP packets like chat logs
  • Diagnostic analysis for issue pinpointing
  • Data Structure View for protocol mastery
  • Decode application layer protocols (HTTP, WebSocket, etc.)
  • Export HTTP transmitted files
  • Includes pcap examples for beginners
Features
Read full description

ChatTCP makes viewing network packets as easy as reading chats! Supporting TCP & UDP. Main Features: - Viewing TCP/UDP packets is as easy as reading chat logs. - The diagnostic analysis feature helps you pinpoint and identify issues. - The Data Structure View helps you learn and master TCP/UDP and application layer protocols. - Decoding of application layer protocols:HTTP、WebSocket、Redis、Mysql、DNS. - It provides multiple pcap examples for beginners. - Files transmitted via HTTP protocol can be exported. User Documentation: https://docs.chattcp.com/ [Description of automatic subscription service] 1.Subscription service: a) Pro+ Monthly (1 month) b) Pro+ Yearly (12 months) 2.Payment: After the user confirms the purchase and makes payment, it will be credited to the iTunes account 3.Automatic renewal: Apple iTunes account will be charged within 24 hours before the expiration date, and the subscription period will be extended by one subscription period after the successful deduction 4.Close the service: You can close the service by going to "Settings" on your iPhone, entering "iTunes Store and App Store", clicking on "Apple ID", selecting "View Apple ID", entering the "Account Settings" page, clicking on "Subscriptions", and managing automatic subscription services. If you need to cancel, you can close it 24 hours before the end of each billing cycle, and no further charges will be deducted within 24 hours before the expiration date 5.Service Agreement: https://chattcp.com/terms-of-service 6.Privacy Agreement: https://chattcp.com/privacy-policy

About

WA Backup Reader

Features
Read full description

You exported your chat history and want to actually read it again? WA Backup Reader has you covered – cleanly, searchably, and entirely offline. ------------------------------ A FAMILIAR CHAT VIEW ------------------------------ Your exported chat files are displayed exactly the way you expect: your messages on the right, incoming on the left, timestamps, system notices, and media references – everything in the right place. No more digging through raw text files. ------------------------------ FULL-TEXT SEARCH ACROSS ALL CHATS ------------------------------ Remember a message but not which chat it was in? The built-in search scans every conversation at once and jumps straight to the result – in a fraction of a second. ------------------------------ MEDIA GALLERY ------------------------------ Photos, videos, and voice messages from your chats are gathered in a clean, browsable gallery. Stop scrolling through lines of text to find that one photo – it's right there, sorted and easy to browse. ------------------------------ ONE-ON-ONE & GROUP CHATS ------------------------------ Whether it's a private conversation or a busy group chat with many participants – WA Backup Reader renders everything correctly. Sender names, system notices, and shared content are fully preserved. ------------------------------ FULLY OFFLINE & PRIVACY-FIRST ------------------------------ Your data never leaves your device. The app works 100 % offline – no sign-up, no account, no connection to any external server. No tracking, no analytics, no sharing. Your chat history stays yours. ------------------------------ EASY IMPORT ------------------------------ Import chat exports directly as ZIP or TXT files – via the Files app, AirDrop, or the Share sheet. No computer needed, no complicated setup. ------------------------------ GERMAN & ENGLISH ------------------------------ WA Backup Reader is fully available in both German and English. ------------------------------ WA Backup Reader is an independent third-party app with no affiliation to WhatsApp LLC or Meta Platforms, Inc. The app reads the standardised chat export format provided by common messaging apps.

Screenshots

ChatTCP4 screens
WA Backup Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ChatTCP at none against WA Backup Reader's shown. WA Backup Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. ChatTCP sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and WA Backup Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChatTCP ships an update every 3 weeks, WA Backup Reader every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 5 level
ChatTCP versus WA Backup Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChatTCPWA Backup Reader
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews50.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.013.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size28 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNanning Signalling Network Technology Co., LtdInnervate

In-app purchases

4 purchases

ChatTCP

Subscriptions2
  • Pro+$9.991 Month
  • Pro+$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro$49.99
  • Pro+$89.99
1 purchases

WA Backup Reader

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is ChatTCP free?
ChatTCP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WA Backup Reader free?
WA Backup Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ChatTCP or WA Backup Reader have ads?
WA Backup Reader shows ads; ChatTCP does not.
Which is updated more often, ChatTCP or WA Backup Reader?
ChatTCP ships an update every 3 weeks, and WA Backup Reader every 4 days. Most recently, ChatTCP was updated on October 15, 2026 and WA Backup Reader on October 9, 2026.

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