Packet Hunter vs PAKEDOU
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Packet Hunter
Engage in interactive puzzles to master IT networking troubleshooting. This game simulates real-world scenarios, helping users diagnose issues like IP conflicts and DNS problems through a command-line interface.
- Solve real-world networking puzzles
- Use authentic IT tools and commands
- Build confidence in network scenarios
- Learn step-by-step troubleshooting
- Rewarding progression system
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Master IT troubleshooting through interactive puzzles! Dive into the world of IT networking with Packet Hunter, the ultimate game for aspiring tech pros and network enthusiasts! Hone your troubleshooting skills through engaging, real-world-inspired challenges that simulate scenarios every IT expert faces. From diagnosing IP conflicts and misconfigured DHCP servers to uncovering rogue devices and fine-tuning network performance, Packet Hunter delivers an immersive learning experience wrapped in a fun and interactive command-line interface. Whether you're a beginner looking to understand the basics or a seasoned professional sharpening your skills, Packet Hunter turns problem-solving into an adventure. Features: -Solve real-world networking puzzles using authentic IT tools and commands. -Build confidence in handling scenarios like IP configuration, DNS issues, and command prompt. -Learn step-by-step processes to troubleshoot networks effectively. -A rewarding progression system to keep you engaged. Download Packet Hunter today and level up your IT skills one packet at a time!
PAKEDOU
Visualize real-time network packet flow by placing and connecting various network devices. Learn networking concepts through interactive simulations, with detailed feedback on packet failures and two progressive learning modes.
- 14 network device types
- Real-time packet flow visualization
- Simple and Realistic simulation modes
- Detailed educational feedback on failures
- Daily network outage challenges
- 16-language UI support
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PAKEDOU is a simulation app that visualizes network packet flow in real time. Place and connect 14 types of network devices - Router, L2 Switch, Firewall, Load Balancer, NAT, DNS Server, WAF, CDN, and more - on a canvas, and watch HTTP, DNS, ICMP, ARP, and TCP packets flow through your topology with animations. [Who is this for?] - Anyone who wants to visually understand how networks work - Students preparing for CCNA, CompTIA Network+, or similar certifications - Trainers looking for hands-on teaching material for new engineers - Anyone who wants to learn routing, NAT, and VLAN by doing [Two modes for progressive learning] Simple Mode: Packets are delivered just by connecting cables. Routing and MAC resolution are automatic. Even networking beginners can start exploring immediately. Realistic Mode: Simulates real network behavior. Requires routing table configuration, default gateways, ARP resolution (broadcast request -> unicast reply), TCP 3-way handshake (SYN -> SYN+ACK -> ACK), and DNS name resolution. [Educational feedback] When a packet is dropped, the app shows "Why it failed" with an explanation and a hint to fix it. On timeout, a device-type-specific explanation is auto-generated based on where the packet got stuck. [Key Features] - 14 network device types (Client, Server, Router, L2/L3/VLAN Switch, Firewall, LB, NAT, DNS, WAF, CDN, Proxy, Internet) - Color-coded protocol display: HTTP, DNS, ICMP, ARP, TCP - Device configuration (IP/subnet, routing table, ACL rules, VLAN ID, DNS A records, NAT rules, etc.) - Tap a log entry to expand L2-L7 packet details - Manual/auto packet send (choose protocol, source, destination) - Domain-based send (auto DNS query -> HTTP send for real-world flow experience) - SQL injection and XSS attack packets (for WAF testing) - Save/load topology (Free 1 slot / Pro 5 slots) - Playback speed control (0.25x-10x) - Pinch-zoom and pan navigation - First-launch tutorial (6 swipeable pages, each with a built-in Canvas animation) - Starter topology auto-load (Client -> L2 Switch -> Server placed right after the tutorial) - UI in 16 languages (Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Russian, Italian, Turkish, Thai, Vietnamese) auto-detected from device locale [Today's Outage] Every day, one broken network arrives. Send packets, read the logs, fix the settings, then check your answer. Every challenge is verified by the simulator itself before it is published: it is guaranteed to be broken and guaranteed to be fixable. Inside the day's challenge, Free users can also operate Pro devices (Firewall, DNS Server, VLAN Switch, Load Balancer, WAF). After clearing it, share your move count, hints used and time. Offline, 14 bundled challenges are always available. Story, hints and explanation come in all 16 languages. Pro users can also replay the past 30 days. [Free / Pro] Free: 5 device types, max 5 devices, 1 save slot, with ads Pro (one-time purchase, price shown in the store): all 14 device types, unlimited devices, 5 save slots, no ads, detailed logs, past 30 days of Today's Outage Already purchased? Tap "Pro" in the toolbar, then "Restore Purchase". [Privacy] Topologies you create are stored locally on the device, and the app itself does not send your data to external servers. The Free version displays Unity Ads, whose SDK collects device identifiers and similar data. See our privacy policy for details. Ads are shown only after you choose whether to allow personalized ads on first launch, and you can turn personalized ads off at any time under "?" > "Ad settings".
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Packet Hunter at none against PAKEDOU's shown. Packet Hunter also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (20 vs 1). PAKEDOU's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (100% vs 79%). On price, in-app purchases, device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
PAKEDOU holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Hunter has 20 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Packet Hunter's written reviews are positive against 100% of PAKEDOU's.
Packet Hunter ships an update every 3 weeks, PAKEDOU every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Packet Hunter | PAKEDOU |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (20 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 39 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Andrew Lawrence Baytler | Fuji Bit Inc. |
Customer experience
Packet Hunter
PAKEDOU
In-app purchases
Packet Hunter
No in-app purchases
PAKEDOU
No in-app purchases






