Comparison

Flow vs PL toolbox

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

Head to head
About

Flow

Take control of your internet connection system-wide. This app replaces your carrier's default DNS with a faster, smarter one, blocking ads, trackers, and malware without needing a VPN. Choose from multiple DNS providers for enhanced privacy and speed.

Highlights
  • System-wide DNS filtering
  • Block ads, trackers, and malware
  • Choose from 8 DNS providers
  • No VPN required
  • Privacy-focused, no logs
  • Custom DNS with subscription
Read full description

Flow is a DNS privacy app for iPhone and iPad. It encrypts every DNS query your device makes — preventing your carrier, ISP, and anyone on your network from seeing which websites and services you use. WHAT DNS IS AND WHY IT MATTERS Every time you open an app or visit a website, your device first asks a DNS server to translate the address into an IP. By default, this request is sent unencrypted — visible to your carrier, ISP, and anyone monitoring your connection. Flow replaces this with DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT), encrypting every query so only the provider you choose can read it. HOW IT WORKS Flow installs a secure DNS profile directly on your device. Once active, every DNS request — every app, every website, every service — is encrypted before it leaves your iPhone or iPad. No VPN. No app that needs to stay open. No extra battery drain. 16+ PROVIDERS TO CHOOSE FROM • Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 — fastest public DNS, strict no-logging policy • Quad9 — blocks malware and phishing domains automatically • AdGuard — removes ads and trackers at the DNS level • NextDNS — fully customisable filtering rules • Mullvad — privacy-first, no logs, Tor-compatible • Google, OpenDNS, CleanBrowsing, Control D, and more Switch providers in seconds. Or add your own custom DoH or DoT server. FLOW+ — PAY ONCE, OWN IT FOREVER Flow+ unlocks the full experience with a single payment. No subscription. No renewal. No catch. Flow+ includes: • All privacy and ad-blocking providers • Custom DNS profiles — save up to 3 configurations • Auto-switch by network — different DNS per Wi-Fi • DNS Benchmark — find the fastest provider for your connection • DNS Health Check — resolution, latency, leaks, DNSSEC • Disconnect alerts — get notified if your profile goes offline • Siri & Shortcuts — pause, resume, switch providers by voice • Themes and accent colours • iCloud sync — settings follow you across all your devices • Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets YOUR PRIVACY Flow has no servers and no analytics. It does not log, collect, or sell any information about your DNS activity or browsing. The provider you choose handles your queries according to their own privacy policy — check it before you pick. Requires iOS 16 or later. Compatible with iPhone and iPad. ______________________________ IMPORTANT Privacy Policy: flowprivacy.rift.lat Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PL toolbox

Features
Read full description

This is a tool for upgrading Bluetooth module firmware. 1. Scan for nearby Bluetooth devices. 2. Connect to Bluetooth devices. 3. Automatically detect for new firmware versions. 4. Manually update firmware.

Screenshots

Flow4 screens
PL toolbox3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PL toolbox at none against Flow's 3. PL toolbox also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). Flow's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). On price, 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. Flow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. PL toolbox asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flow ships an update weekly, PL toolbox every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Flow versus PL toolbox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlowPL toolbox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size185 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCHIRAG DASHARATHBHAI PATEL国强 张

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Flow

Subscriptions2
  • Flow+$2.991 Month
  • Flow+ Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Flow Lifetime$6.99
None

PL toolbox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Flow free?
Flow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PL toolbox free?
PL toolbox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Flow or PL toolbox have ads?
Neither Flow nor PL toolbox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flow or PL toolbox?
Flow ships an update weekly, and PL toolbox every 6 weeks. Most recently, Flow was updated on October 24, 2026 and PL toolbox on October 24, 2026.

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