Comparison

ToolNest vs GrepEx

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

Head to head
About

ToolNest

A privacy-focused utility suite offering encryption, password generation, data conversions, and time tools. It provides developers and security professionals with powerful cryptographic functions and everyday utilities in an intuitive, offline-capable interface with no advertisements.

Highlights
  • Hash generation and verification
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • Strong password generation
  • TOTP two-factor authentication code generation
  • Multiple data converters (Base64, URL, HTML, number systems)
  • JSON/CSV formatting and validation
  • Timestamp and date calculations
Features
Read full description

ToolNest brings text, security and conversion utilities into one app, with no account or subscription required. HASH AND ENCRYPT TEXT Generate and compare hashes, use HMAC options, and encrypt or decrypt text locally with Crypt Text. Copy results to use elsewhere. Crypt Text does not provide a chat service or deliver messages. PASSWORDS AND AUTHENTICATOR CODES Generate passwords with configurable character options. Generate time-based one-time passwords from a secret you supply and inspect the available code details. CONVERT AND FORMAT Work with Base64, URLs, HTML entities, number bases, colors and measurements. Format JSON, work with CSV and strings, and test regular expressions. DATES AND TIMES Convert timestamps, calculate date differences and work with world clocks and time zones. These tools process input on your device. Protect your encryption keys, passwords and authenticator secrets, and check output before relying on it for important work. Terms of Use: https://toolnestapp.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://toolnestapp.com/privacy-policy

About

GrepEx

Features
Read full description

GrepEx is the ultimate regex and dorking toolkit for developers, security researchers, and power users. Generate production-ready regular expressions in 22 programming languages and build precise search queries—all from your pocket. REGEX GENERATOR Stop wrestling with regex syntax. Select what you need to match, and GrepEx generates the pattern with language-specific code you can copy directly into your project. • 22 Languages: JavaScript, Python, Go, Rust, Java, C#, PHP, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, TypeScript, Perl, Bash, PowerShell, and more • 80+ Templates: Email, URL, IP address, phone numbers, dates, credit cards, passwords, file paths, log parsing, and dozens more • Live Testing: Paste sample text and see matches highlighted instantly • Pattern Explanation: Understand what each regex component does in plain English • Safe Testing: Built-in protection against catastrophic backtracking (ReDoS) SEARCH DORKING ENGINE Craft advanced search queries to find exactly what you're looking for. Perfect for research, competitive analysis, and discovering hard-to-find resources. • Visual Query Builder: Combine operators like site:, filetype:, inurl:, intitle:, and intext: without memorizing syntax • 3,600+ GHDB Templates: Access the GHDB with categorized, searchable dork patterns • Smart Exclusions: Filter out noise with preset exclusion lists for cleaner results • One-Tap Search: Open your crafted query directly in your browser BUILT FOR PRODUCTIVITY • History & Favorites: Never lose a pattern you've created • Export & Import: Back up your patterns and transfer between devices • Dark Mode: Easy on the eyes during late-night coding sessions • VoiceOver Support: Full accessibility for all users PRIVACY FIRST Your data never leaves your device. No accounts, no cloud sync, no analytics, no tracking. GrepEx works entirely offline for core features. GREPEX PRO Unlock unlimited potential: • Save unlimited patterns and dorks • Access all 22 programming languages • Full GHDB search and save • Extended history (100 items) • Export/Import functionality Whether you're validating user input, parsing log files, scraping data, or conducting security research, GrepEx puts professional-grade tools in your hands. Download GrepEx and master regex today.

Screenshots

ToolNest4 screens
GrepEx4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ToolNest at Free against GrepEx's $1.99. GrepEx's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 18 months) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.0). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

ToolNest is free to download; GrepEx costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ToolNest ships an update every 18 months, GrepEx weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
ToolNest versus GrepEx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterToolNestGrepEx
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArla ServicesJeremy Laratro

In-app purchases

None

ToolNest

No in-app purchases

None

GrepEx

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ToolNest free?
ToolNest is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GrepEx free?
GrepEx costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ToolNest or GrepEx have ads?
Neither ToolNest nor GrepEx shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ToolNest or GrepEx?
ToolNest ships an update every 18 months, and GrepEx weekly. Most recently, ToolNest was updated on October 9, 2026 and GrepEx on October 28, 2026.

Other comparisons