mDNSShark vs PocketAdmin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
mDNSShark
Explore your local Wi-Fi network with ease. This app discovers printers, media servers, and IoT devices by tapping into network protocols. It offers a simple, private way to understand what's connected and how services communicate, with no external servers or data collection.
- Local network scanning
- mDNS, DNS-SD, SSDP protocol support
- Device and service discovery
- Private and no data collection
- Open-source development
- User-friendly interface
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mDNSShark is an open-source iPhone application created by a small team of engineers who wanted a simpler, clearer way to explore local networks. By tapping into protocols like Multicast DNS (mDNS), DNS-SD, and SSDP, mDNSShark quickly uncovers printers, media servers, IoT gadgets, and other active services on your home or office Wi-Fi - no convoluted setup required. If you've ever wondered what devices are really on your network, or how various services talk to each other, mDNSShark is designed to give you those answers efficiently and privately. Simplicity is key: we've stripped away clutter so you can focus on scanning and understanding results. Every discovery operation runs right on your phone, with no external servers involved. We also do not collect or share any usage data - there's no telemetry, no user analytics, and certainly no hidden trackers. You remain fully in control, deciding if and when to allow local network access, which is all the app needs to function. Built by Engineers, Open to Everyone: mDNSShark was created by engineers who love transparent, lightweight solutions - yet it's also friendly for anyone curious about local network behavior. If you're a fellow engineer, a technologist, or just someone who enjoys problem-solving, you'll find plenty of ways to contribute. Newcomers can help refine the interface, add new features, or even propose deeper networking enhancements. Veterans can dive into advanced scanning logic, integrate emergent protocols, and optimize performance. We firmly believe that collectively, we can build an indispensable network tool for iPhone users everywhere. Current Development: mDNSShark is still in active development, with regular updates that refine performance, expand support for various network protocols, and polish the user experience. We welcome your ideas - whether it's a new device detection trick, an easier UI flow, or an innovative scanning feature. Our public repository provides a transparent view of current issues and ongoing discussions, letting you jump in wherever your skills or interests fit best.
PocketAdmin
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PocketAdmin puts a complete network and IT administration toolkit in your pocket. Built for sysadmins, network engineers, and IT support pros, it replaces a bag of single-purpose utilities with one fast, native app, with no clutter and no sign-up to get started. Whether you're chasing a flaky connection, auditing a subnet, SSH-ing into a firewall, or resetting a locked account in the field, PocketAdmin has the tool ready. NETWORK DIAGNOSTICS • Ping: ICMP reachability and latency, with editable packet size, interval, count, and TTL, just like the command line • Traceroute: hop-by-hop path with a visual route map • Test-NetConnection (TNC): combined TCP port and ping check • nslookup: A, AAAA, MX, TXT, NS, CNAME and more • Port Scanner: find open TCP ports fast • Wake-on-LAN: power on a machine by MAC address • HTTP / TLS Checker: status, timing, redirects, and certificate expiry • LAN Scanner: discover every device on your network with IP, hostname, and vendor REMOTE ACCESS • SSH: a real, interactive terminal that runs full-screen apps like vim, top, htop, and tmux. Save hosts and credentials securely in the iOS Keychain, with a special-keys bar for esc, ctrl, tab, arrows, and pipes • Telnet: quick raw TCP sessions WI-FI & CONNECTIVITY • Network Info: connection, IP, DNS, and ISP at a glance • Latency Monitor: live ping graph with jitter • Traffic Monitor: live bandwidth graph • Link Metrics: RSSI, noise, channel, and rates • Wi-Fi Join: apply a network configuration • Bluetooth Scanner: nearby BLE devices and signal strength • Roaming Forensics: build a roam timeline from a log • Coverage Map: walk a room and map Wi-Fi coverage with LiDAR MEASUREMENT • iperf3: full-featured throughput testing with a live graph and complete flag control, including parallel streams, window size, and reverse mode • Internet Speed Test: quick download and upload throughput DIRECTORY • Active Directory: search users, unlock accounts, and reset passwords across multiple directory profiles, protected by Face ID. Works with the open-source PocketAdmin directory backend, or try the built-in demo instantly CONVERTERS & CRYPTO • Base64, URL, epoch-time, and UUID converters • Hash generator (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and more) • JWT decoder and X.509 certificate decoder • Subnet Calculator and Password Generator UTILITIES • Whois, MAC / OUI vendor lookup, SMTP mail-server test, Bonjour / mDNS discovery, and detailed System Info BUILT FOR THE JOB • Favorite the tools you use most for one-tap access • Recent Tasks history remembers what you ran • Hide the tools you don't need • Fast, native SwiftUI, in light and dark mode • Credentials stored in the iOS Keychain, never in plain text • No account required to use the toolkit From ping to packets, SSH to subnets, PocketAdmin is your whole IT toolbox in one pocket.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: PocketAdmin at every 9 days against mDNSShark's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.
mDNSShark ships an update every 3 weeks, PocketAdmin every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | mDNSShark | PocketAdmin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ShapeHaven Innovations LLC | GDW Entertainment, LLC |
In-app purchases
mDNSShark
No in-app purchases
PocketAdmin
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is mDNSShark free?
Is PocketAdmin free?
Do mDNSShark or PocketAdmin have ads?
Which is updated more often, mDNSShark or PocketAdmin?
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