Comparison

Kestrel LITE vs Iron Switch

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

Head to head
About

Kestrel LITE

Analyze network packet capture files directly on your mobile device. Inspect packet details, reassemble TCP streams, and view host and DNS information. Ideal for network engineers and students learning packet analysis.

Highlights
  • Packet list with hex/ASCII inspector
  • TCP stream reassembly
  • Flow records with byte/packet counts
  • Host inventory with DNS resolution
  • Protocol classification
  • Timeline view
  • Chain-of-custody log
Features
Read full description

Kestrel Lite is a network packet analyzer for iPhone and iPad — open a PCAP or PCAPNG file, see what's inside, and triage it from your phone or tablet. CORE FEATURES Dashboard with tappable widgets — jump from any metric to the relevant tab Packets list with hex+ASCII inspector and filter syntax (port, host, protocol, length) TCP stream reassembly with full payload view (captures under 1 GB) Flow records with bidirectional byte/packet counts Host inventory with hostname resolution from DNS observed in the capture DNS queries with full A/AAAA/CNAME/MX/TXT response data Protocol classification: TCP, UDP, ICMP, HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SSH, FTP, SMTP, TLS, ARP, SMB, mDNS, DHCP, NTP, SNMP, SSDP, QUIC Timeline view of capture activity Chain-of-custody log with SHA-256 file integrity hash PRIVACY GUARANTEE 100% offline — no network access 100% on-device — your captures never leave your device No account required, no sign-in Free with no ads IDEAL FOR Network engineers triaging captures on the go Security analysts doing first-pass review Students learning packet analysis and networking Anyone curious about what's actually in their PCAP files LIMITATIONS PCAP files are processed up to 50,000 packets per capture Raw payload search is not included TCP reassembly disables automatically above 1 GB to protect device memory Upgrade to Kestrel Sight to get: Unlimited packet capacity — no 50,000-packet cap Analyst Bookmarks — flag any packet, flow, host, DNS query, or stream with a note. Bookmarks are included in the PDF export Enhanced IPv6 support — addresses displayed in canonical RFC 5952 form, search matches any textual representation of the same address Refined PDF reports — human-readable durations, complete Top Talkers, paginated bookmarks Refined CSV exports SUPPORT Questions, issues, or feature requests? Email support@tracivex.com — we read every message and use your feedback to guide development.

About

Iron Switch

Securely store encrypted digital assets like crypto keys and passwords. If you stop checking in, this app automatically delivers access to designated recipients, ensuring your digital legacy is protected.

Highlights
  • Encrypted vault for sensitive data
  • Automated delivery to trusted recipients
  • Customizable check-in intervals
  • Zero-knowledge AES-256 encryption
  • Face ID/Touch ID app lock
  • Offline recovery kit
Features
Read full description

Iron Switch is an encrypted dead man's switch app for protecting crypto recovery phrases, passwords, documents, and final messages—and delivering them to trusted recipients if you stop checking in. Store your most critical information—crypto recovery phrases, passwords, documents, and final instructions—encrypted on your device before it ever leaves your phone. If you're ever unable to check in, Iron Switch securely delivers access to the people you've chosen. Everything is encrypted with AES-256 on your device. Your keys are never sent to our servers in a usable form, so no one at Iron Switch—and no one who breaches our servers—can read your vault. Only you and the recipients you designate can unlock it. HOW IT WORKS • Add your sensitive files, keys, and notes to your encrypted vault. • Choose the recipients who should receive access, plus an optional secondary verifier for added protection. • Set your check-in schedule. As long as you check in, nothing is released. • If you go silent past your window, the switch activates and your designated recipients receive secure access—exactly as you planned. BUILT FOR PEACE OF MIND • Zero-knowledge, client-side AES-256 encryption • Dead man's switch with customizable check-in intervals • Multiple recipients and an optional secondary verifier • Face ID / Touch ID app lock • Two-factor authentication (TOTP) • Offline recovery kit—export a self-contained decryptor so you're never locked out, even if our servers disappear • Delete your account and all data at any time, right from the app IMPORTANT: Iron Switch is NOT a cryptocurrency wallet or exchange. It does not buy, sell, hold, or transact cryptocurrency. It stores your private keys and recovery phrases only as client-side-encrypted text—just like any other note or document in your vault. Iron Switch includes a free plan with real protection: a secure vault, your dead man's switch, and recipient delivery. Secure your digital legacy today—so the right information reaches the right people, exactly when it's needed. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Kestrel LITE4 screens
Iron Switch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Kestrel LITE at none against Iron Switch's 3. Iron Switch's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Iron Switch sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Kestrel LITE asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Kestrel LITE against 5.0 for Iron Switch. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Kestrel LITE versus Iron Switch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKestrel LITEIron Switch
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTracivex LLCFelipe Oliveira

Customer experience

Kestrel LITE

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Iron Switch

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Kestrel LITE

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Iron Switch

Subscriptions2
  • Operator Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Commander Monthly7 Days trial$29.991 Month
One-time1
  • Legacy Lifetime$499.99

Questions

Is Kestrel LITE free?
Kestrel LITE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Iron Switch free?
Iron Switch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Kestrel LITE or Iron Switch?
Kestrel LITE and Iron Switch are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Kestrel LITE or Iron Switch have ads?
Neither Kestrel LITE nor Iron Switch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kestrel LITE or Iron Switch?
Kestrel LITE ships an update weekly, and Iron Switch weekly. Most recently, Kestrel LITE was updated on November 5, 2026 and Iron Switch on October 31, 2026.

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