Comparison

WireScan vs Shellbee

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

Head to head
About

WireScan

Features
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WireScan puts professional-grade network diagnostics in your pocket. Whether you're troubleshooting WiFi dead zones, identifying unknown devices on your network, or just curious about what's connected around you — WireScan has you covered. DISCOVER DEVICES Scan your local network to find every connected device. WireScan uses multiple discovery methods including Bonjour service detection and network scanning to build a complete picture of your network. • See device names, IP addresses, and MAC addresses • Automatic manufacturer identification • Detect services like AirPlay, printers, and smart home devices • Switch to Bluetooth mode to find nearby wireless devices • Signal strength and proximity estimates for each device SPEED TEST Measure your actual internet performance with accurate speed testing. • Download and upload speed measurements • Ping latency testing • Clean, animated progress visualization • Results displayed in an easy-to-read format SIGNAL MONITOR Find the WiFi sweet spots in your home or office. The real-time signal monitor helps you understand exactly how strong your connection is wherever you are. • Live dBm signal strength readings • Signal quality indicators (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor) • Historical signal graph to track changes over time • Perfect for finding the best spot for your desk or router placement EMF DETECTION Use your device's magnetometer to detect electromagnetic interference in your environment. • Real-time magnetic field readings • X, Y, Z axis breakdown • Interference percentage and severity levels • Useful for finding electronics, wiring, or magnetic sources PREMIUM DESIGN WireScan features a refined dark interface inspired by modern design systems. Every detail has been considered — from the smooth animations to the carefully chosen typography. No ads, no clutter, just a beautiful tool that's a pleasure to use. • Elegant grayscale color palette • Buttery smooth transitions and animations • Custom-designed gauges and visualizations • Floating tab bar with fluid selection states PRIVACY FIRST WireScan works entirely on your device. No account required, no data uploaded to servers, no tracking. Your network information stays yours. Download WireScan and see your network like never before.

About

Shellbee

Control and configure your Zigbee devices directly from your mobile device. Monitor network health, manage device settings, and update firmware with a native, cloud-free experience. Requires a running Zigbee2MQTT server.

Highlights
  • Real-time network map
  • Device control and configuration
  • Firmware updates with Live Activities
  • Multi-bridge support
  • Customizable Home screen
  • Offline device documentation
Features
Read full description

Your Zigbee network, in your pocket and on your iPad. Shellbee is a native app for Zigbee2MQTT. It connects straight to your bridge and gives you a fast, Apple-native way to watch, control and configure every device, with no cloud in between. REQUIRES A ZIGBEE2MQTT SERVER Shellbee is a client app. You need your own running Zigbee2MQTT instance and an access token. Local and remote setups both work. SEE EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE • A Home screen built from cards you choose and order: Bridge Health, Network, Link Quality, Batteries, Vendors and Activity. • Needs attention shows offline devices, low batteries and weak signal before you go looking. • A live Network Map of your whole mesh, with scan progress, filters and quick look (iPad). • An Activity Center that shows what your devices are doing as it happens. CONTROL AND CONFIGURE • Controls are generated from each device's Zigbee2MQTT exposes: lights, switches, covers, fans, locks, climate and sensors. • Every setting is grouped the same way on every device, using Zigbee2MQTT's own names. • Groups and scenes: browse, edit members, rename, drag devices in. • Favorites, filters and one search across devices, groups and the device library. • Bridge settings for MQTT, serial, network, OTA, logging, availability, Home Assistant and more. PAIR AND UPDATE WITH CONFIDENCE • Permit join and a step-by-step pairing guide with live progress. • Firmware updates with progress in Live Activities on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. • Offline device documentation for how to pair and what each device can do. MORE THAN ONE BRIDGE Connect several bridges at once and see them side by side. Each has its own colour and initial, and single-bridge users see nothing extra. MADE FOR IPHONE AND IPAD • Full iPad workspace with a sidebar, details side by side and extra windows. • Six colour themes: Standard, Honey, Meadow, Harbor, Lavender and Ember. • Real-time WebSocket connection over ws:// or wss://, with Bonjour discovery for .local hosts. • Built in SwiftUI with Live Activities, so it feels fast and native, not like a wrapped web page. PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Talks only to the bridge you choose. No ads, no tracking, no analytics and no developer server. • Access tokens are stored in the iOS Keychain. • Crash reporting is optional and off by default. Nothing is sent unless you say so, and reports never include your bridge address, token or device names. OPEN SOURCE Shellbee is licensed under AGPL v3, with the source on GitHub.

Screenshots

WireScan4 screens
Shellbee4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Shellbee at Free against WireScan's $1.99. On ads, in-app purchases, device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
WireScan versus Shellbee: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWireScanShellbee
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 2 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPolarity Labs Pte. Ltd.Kenneth Berg

In-app purchases

None

WireScan

No in-app purchases

None

Shellbee

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WireScan free?
WireScan costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shellbee free?
Shellbee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do WireScan or Shellbee have ads?
Neither WireScan nor Shellbee shows ads.

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