Comparison

404 Network vs knock(1)

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

Head to head
About

404 Network

This app offers a comprehensive suite of network diagnostic tools for iOS and macOS. It provides professional-grade features for network engineers and security enthusiasts, with options for advanced AI assistance and remote diagnostics.

Highlights
  • Real ICMP Ping with live latency charts
  • Visual Traceroute with hop-by-hop analysis
  • DNS Lookup with multiple server comparison
  • Port Scanner with service detection
  • AI Assistant powered by Claude or Apple Intelligence
  • Remote Sensor dispatch
  • NFC Toolkit
Features
Read full description

404 Network is the most comprehensive network diagnostics toolkit for iOS and macOS. Whether you're a network engineer troubleshooting connectivity or a security enthusiast auditing your home network, 404 gives you professional-grade tools in a beautiful native app. CORE TOOLS (FREE) • Real ICMP Ping with live latency charts • Visual Traceroute with hop-by-hop analysis • DNS Lookup with multiple server comparison • Speed Test with ISP detection • WiFi Info with signal strength monitoring • Port Scanner with service detection • Network Discovery with live topology map • Wake-on-LAN for remote device power • HTTP Probe for web server testing • Whois domain lookup PRO FEATURES • 70+ network diagnostic tools • Unlimited saved devices with background monitoring • Full port scan results with banner grabbing • 30-day diagnostic history with CSV/JSON/PDF export • Color tags, device groups, and topology presets • Community speed map — compare ISP performance in your area • Security Audit with vulnerability detection • WiFi Channel Analyzer • Smart Home device diagnostics • LAN Speed Test and Micro Speed Logger PRO+ ADVANCED • AI Assistant powered by Claude or on-device Apple Intelligence • AI-guided Security Audit and Penetration Test flows • Remote Sensor dispatch — run tools from multiple network vantage points • BLE Scanner Pro with GATT exploration and characteristic writing • NFC Toolkit — read, write, and clone-detect NFC tags • SSH Tester, SNMP Walker, Credential Checker • Subdomain Finder, CORS Checker, CSP Analyzer • Packet Crafter, Payload Library, Directory Scanner PRIVACY FIRST • No ads. No tracking. No analytics. • All network data stays on your device • Community features are opt-in with location rounded to ~500m • AI features require your own API key — we never see your data • Full GDPR compliance with data export and deletion TERMS OF USE Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

knock(1)

This utility app allows you to remotely open firewall ports on your server using a saved sequence of connection attempts from your iPhone. It supports TCP or UDP for each port and provides live feedback on the connection status.

Highlights
  • Save and reuse multiple host configurations
  • Per-port TCP or UDP selection
  • Configurable inter-packet delay
  • Live per-port result display
  • Native SwiftUI interface
  • No tracking or analytics
Features
Read full description

Knock is a minimal, native port-knocking client for iOS. Open ports in your firewall - SSH, VPN, admin panels - by sending a saved sequence from your iPhone. Save named configurations with a host, a list of ports, a delay, and a timeout. Each port can be independently TCP or UDP. Run the sequence with a single tap and watch each knock's result stream in live. FEATURES • Save and reuse multiple host configurations • Per-port TCP or UDP selection • Configurable inter-packet delay and socket timeout • Live per-port result display • Clean SwiftUI interface, native look and feel • No tracking, no analytics, no accounts HOW IT WORKS Port knocking is a technique for opening firewall ports on demand: your server watches for a specific sequence of connection attempts (for example, TCP/7000, UDP/8000, TCP/9000), and only opens a protected service like SSH after seeing the right pattern. knock(1) lets you send those sequences from your phone, allowing you to connect to your servers on the go. COMPATIBLE knock(1)'s behavior matches the reference jvinet/knock client - if your server runs knockd, knock(1) works out of the box. PRIVACY knock(1) connects only to the hosts you configure. It does not send telemetry, does not use analytics SDKs, and does not require an account. Your saved configurations stay on your device.

Screenshots

404 Network4 screens
knock(1)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: knock(1) at 5.0 against 404 Network's 3.5. knock(1) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). 404 Network's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and device support (5 vs 1). On price, ratings volume and ads 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. 404 Network sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. knock(1) asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

knock(1) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

404 Network ships an update weekly, knock(1) every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
404 Network versus knock(1): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter404 Networkknock(1)
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristine MartinJeffrey Cousens

In-app purchases

3 purchases

404 Network

Subscriptions2
  • Pro+ Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Pro+ Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • 404 Pro$9.99
None

knock(1)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 404 Network free?
404 Network is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is knock(1) free?
knock(1) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 404 Network or knock(1)?
knock(1) is rated higher. 404 Network averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while knock(1) averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do 404 Network or knock(1) have ads?
Neither 404 Network nor knock(1) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 404 Network or knock(1)?
404 Network ships an update weekly, and knock(1) every 2 months. Most recently, 404 Network was updated on October 12, 2026 and knock(1) on October 12, 2026.

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