# OpenPacketLoss vs Network Hamster

The clearest difference is update cadence: Network Hamster at every 3 days against OpenPacketLoss's fortnightly. OpenPacketLoss's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

OpenPacketLoss ships an update fortnightly, Network Hamster every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenPacketLoss | Network Hamster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/network-hamster/id6801585982/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 13 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vishnu Nampoothiri UK](https://appshunter.io/developer/1579499876) | [HarborViewIT, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6801585984) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenPacketLoss

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openpacketloss-server/id6761511150)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Network Hamster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/network-hamster/id6801585982)

Diagnose internet issues with a real-time visual indicator and detailed diagnostics. Understand your network's performance, identify bottlenecks like bufferbloat, and generate shareable reports to prove problems to your ISP.

**Highlights:** One-tap network diagnosis, Bufferbloat grading and fixes, Live ping, jitter, packet loss monitoring, Speed test with history, Router vs. internet fault isolation, Advanced tools like MTR and Ping Lab, Shareable diagnostic reports

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenPacketLoss free?

OpenPacketLoss is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Network Hamster free?

Network Hamster is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do OpenPacketLoss or Network Hamster have ads?

Neither OpenPacketLoss nor Network Hamster shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OpenPacketLoss or Network Hamster?

OpenPacketLoss ships an update fortnightly, and Network Hamster every 3 days. Most recently, OpenPacketLoss was updated on October 2, 2026 and Network Hamster on September 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*