PLC vs Modbus Explorer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PLC
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PLC-Inspector is a professional diagnostic tool for Siemens LOGO! controllers. Read memory, follow changes live and set registers, over Modbus/TCP, directly from iPhone, iPad or Mac. KEY FEATURES • Memory reading VM memory, analog inputs (AI) and analog outputs (AQ) of your LOGO! in real time. • Register writing Enter values in decimal or hexadecimal and send them to the controller. The app checks what the controller reports back and says so separately when the confirmation does not match the request. • Safeguarded writing Write mode has to be switched on deliberately and expires when you leave the view. Before every write there is a confirmation showing register and value in plain text, which can be switched off for a working session. • Bit-level visualisation Every register as a 16-bit value with colour-coded bit display. • Change detection Changed values are highlighted in orange. Jump between changes with the arrow buttons. • Auto-refresh Automatic updates in intervals from 0.5 to 10 seconds. • Multiple stations Manage any number of PLC stations with individual settings. APPLICATIONS - Commissioning and fault finding on site - Mobile process monitoring - Analysis of memory contents - Training and education TECHNICAL DETAILS - Protocol: Modbus/TCP (default port 502) - Reading: Read Holding Registers (FC 03), automatic splitting above 125 registers - Writing: Write Single Register (FC 06) with echo verification - Supported controller: Siemens LOGO! 8 (0BA8) NOTE The app needs a network connection to the LOGO! controller. The Modbus server must be enabled in LOGO!Soft Comfort. Developed by spiritdev Softwareentwicklung GmbH - your partner for industrial software solutions.
Modbus Explorer
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Modbus Explorer helps automation engineers, field technicians, and maintenance teams discover and diagnose Modbus TCP devices on local industrial networks. Scan your network to find Modbus TCP devices, identify available device information, review open ports, and inspect communication health from one place. Key features: • Fast Modbus TCP device discovery • Device identification where supported • Open port overview • OSI-based diagnostics for physical, network, transport, and application layers • UID scan for Modbus TCP devices • Modbus read/write request tools • Network statistics including ping, jitter, packet loss, and response timing • Modbus TCP performance testing • Communication dashboard per device • PDF and CSV diagnostic reports • Optional engineer, company, and logo information for professional reports • Live Modbus HMI dashboard with configurable register cards • Saved networks with persistent HMI cards and PDF/CSV reports Modbus Explorer is designed for real industrial troubleshooting scenarios involving PLCs, HMIs, drives, gateways, and other Modbus TCP equipment. Whether you are commissioning a new panel, checking a device on site, documenting a network, or diagnosing communication issues, Modbus Explorer gives you a practical toolset for understanding what is happening on the wire. Some device identification and diagnostic information depends on the target device configuration and supported Modbus services. Türkçe | Deutsch | English | Français | Italiano | Español | Português | Русский | Azərbaycanca | 中文 | 日本語.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PLC at none against Modbus Explorer's 1. PLC also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Modbus Explorer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PLC asks for nothing beyond the download.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PLC | Modbus Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | spiritdev Softwareentwicklung GmbH | HASAN BARAN |
In-app purchases
PLC
No in-app purchases
Modbus Explorer
- Modbus Explorer Pro$14.99







