Comparison

LocalDevVPN vs Sensor Playground

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

Head to head
About

LocalDevVPN

Create and manage secure, isolated local network tunnels on iOS. Test and debug applications without sending traffic to external servers, offering precise control over your network environment.

Highlights
  • Local network tunneling
  • Custom network configuration
  • One-touch connection
  • Auto-connect option
  • Connection monitoring
  • Comprehensive logging
Features
Read full description

LocalDevVPN is a developer tool for creating and managing local network tunnels directly on iOS. It gives you a secure, isolated virtual interface for testing and debugging without sending traffic to external servers. Key Features: - Local network tunneling: spin up a dedicated virtual interface for development and testing - Custom network configuration: set device IP, tunnel IP, and subnet mask - One-touch connection: quick connect/disconnect with clear status - Auto-connect: optionally start the tunnel when the app launches - Connection monitoring: track connection time and live status - Comprehensive logging: review detailed connection logs for troubleshooting Ideal for developers, network engineers, and testers who need precise control over a local network environment. All traffic stays on-device with no data collection or external connections. Requires iOS 14.0 or later.

About

Sensor Playground

Features
Read full description

Sensor Playground turns your phone into a live dashboard for DIY sensor nodes built on the ESP32 or a Raspberry Pi class single-board computer. Flash the free companion firmware onto your board, wire up a supported sensor, and the app finds the node automatically on your local network or via Bluetooth LE — no cloud, no account, no registration. Readings appear as clear cards and live charts, updated in real time. CONTINUOUSLY GROWING Development is ongoing: updates ship regularly, and support for new sensors is added continuously. If your favourite sensor is not on the list yet, chances are it will arrive in one of the next updates. HIGHLIGHTS • Automatic discovery of sensor nodes over Wi-Fi (LAN) and Bluetooth LE • Live cards and charts for every measured quantity • Air-quality rating derived from IAQ, CO₂ or eCO₂/TVOC readings • Dedicated screens for gesture, distance and contact sensors • Send bitmaps to an SSD1306 OLED display node • Signal-strength badge for Bluetooth nodes • °C/°F switch, English and German, screen-reader friendly • Everything stays on your own network: TLS-encrypted and API-key protected — no cloud involved SUPPORTED SENSORS (and counting) • Environment & air quality: BME680, BME280, SCD30, SGP30, MCP9808, SHT31, SHT41, AHT10/AHT20, CozIR-A • Light & optical: SI1145 (sunlight/UV), TCS34725 (color), analog light sensor • Motion & orientation: IMU 10DOF, MPU6050, MMA7660 • Infrared temperature: MLX90615 (non-contact) • Positioning: Air530 GNSS/GPS • Event-driven: PAJ7620 gesture, VL53L0X laser distance, button, hall sensor, magnetic switch, PIR motion, vibration • Display: SSD1306 OLED (128×64) GOOD TO KNOW • You need at least one sensor node: an ESP32 or a Raspberry Pi class board running the free, open companion firmware. Arduino sketches and Python scripts are available for every supported sensor. • A built-in simulated sensor lets you explore the app before any hardware is connected. • Scanning and discovery are free for all sensors. Data visualisation for a few selected sensors requires a one-time in-app licence purchase, which supports the ongoing development. Whether you are a maker, a teacher, a student or simply curious about the air in your room — Sensor Playground makes hardware experiments visible.

Screenshots

LocalDevVPN3 screens
Sensor Playground4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LocalDevVPN at none against Sensor Playground's 1. LocalDevVPN also leads on chart position (#5 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads 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

Both are free to download. Sensor Playground sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LocalDevVPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LocalDevVPN ships an update every 2 days, Sensor Playground every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
LocalDevVPN versus Sensor Playground: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLocalDevVPNSensor Playground
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (87 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings87 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#5 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB26 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperCoxson Engineering LLCPeter Sauer

In-app purchases

None

LocalDevVPN

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sensor Playground

One-time1
  • Licence$0.99

Questions

Is LocalDevVPN free?
LocalDevVPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sensor Playground free?
Sensor Playground is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do LocalDevVPN or Sensor Playground have ads?
Neither LocalDevVPN nor Sensor Playground shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LocalDevVPN or Sensor Playground?
LocalDevVPN ships an update every 2 days, and Sensor Playground every 3 days. Most recently, LocalDevVPN was updated on October 18, 2026 and Sensor Playground on October 12, 2026.

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