Comparison

ChatTCP vs PacketCircle

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — 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

PacketCircle

Features
Read full description

PacketCircle turns packet captures into a clear picture of who is talking to whom. Instead of scrolling endless packet lists, you see communication pairs as an interactive circle: endpoints on the rim, conversations as edges, colors by protocol or session quality. Ideal when you need to understand a capture quickly — on site, in a meeting, or reviewing a file someone sent you. What you can do • Open PCAP and PCAPNG captures • Explore Top talkers on a circle, table, or gauges view • Filter by protocol and focus on the conversations that matter • Inspect session health, ports/services, and application hints • Jump into a Wireshark-style decode (packet list, protocol tree, hex) • Follow TCP streams and export a conversation as PCAP Built for analysis, not noise PacketCircle is a native iOS app with a shared engine designed for conversation-centric troubleshooting — DNS, HTTP, TLS, SMB, and more when the payload is visible — without requiring Wireshark on your phone. Open a capture. See the circle. Understand the network. Made with love for the packet community.

Screenshots

ChatTCP4 screens
PacketCircle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PacketCircle at none against ChatTCP's 4. ChatTCP's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. ChatTCP sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. PacketCircle asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChatTCP ships an update every 5 days, PacketCircle monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
ChatTCP versus PacketCircle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChatTCPPacketCircle
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNanning Signalling Network Technology Co., LtdWalter Hofstetter

In-app purchases

4 purchases

ChatTCP

Subscriptions2
  • Pro+$9.991 Month
  • Pro+$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro$49.99
  • Pro+$89.99
None

PacketCircle

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ChatTCP free?
ChatTCP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PacketCircle free?
PacketCircle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ChatTCP or PacketCircle have ads?
Neither ChatTCP nor PacketCircle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ChatTCP or PacketCircle?
ChatTCP ships an update every 5 days, and PacketCircle monthly. Most recently, ChatTCP was updated on October 24, 2026 and PacketCircle on October 21, 2026.

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