Comparison

5G Architect vs NetSward

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

Head to head
About

5G Architect

Features
Read full description

5G Architect is the ultimate RF engineering and telecommunications toolkit, designed specifically for network planners, telecom engineers, and students. Whether you are deploying terrestrial 5G NR networks or designing next-generation Direct-to-Cell (D2C) Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), 5G Architect provides the exact mathematical models and interactive simulators you need. Leave the spreadsheets behind. Simulate complex link budgets, calculate subcarrier numerologies, and track LEO constellations in real-time, right from your device. CORE FEATURES Advanced Link Budget Calculator (Premium) • Calculate comprehensive RF link budgets for both Terrestrial (FR1/FR2) and NTN / Satellite domains. • Supports 3GPP 38.901 propagation models (UMa, UMi, RMa, Indoor). • Account for atmospheric gas loss, rain attenuation, clutter, and building entry loss (BEL). • Calculate EIRP, Receiver Sensitivity, Fade Margins, and Effective SINR based on dynamically selected Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS). D2C Satellite Tracker & Simulator (Premium) • Real-time LEO/MEO satellite tracking using your device's location and live NORAD TLE ephemeris data. • Predict upcoming satellite passes and line-of-sight visibility for constellations like Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk Global. • Instantly compute critical NTN metrics: Slant Range, UE Timing Advance (TA), and carrier Doppler Shift. Numerology & PRB Calculator (Free) • Instantly calculate Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs), subcarrier counts, and usable bandwidth. • Cross-reference Subcarrier Spacings (15, 30, 60, 120 kHz) with standard slot and symbol durations. • Export and share calculation results instantly with colleagues. Interactive RAN Visualizers (Premium) • RACH Sequence Visualizer: Understand Contention-Based (2-step & 4-step) and Contention-Free Random Access procedures. • SSB to RO Mapper: Visualize how Downlink Synchronization Signal Blocks map to Uplink RACH Occasions. • Cyclic Prefix & OFDM: Interactive demonstration of how Guard Intervals protect against multipath Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI). Comprehensive 5G Glossary (Free) • A fully searchable, offline database of over 100+ essential 5G and telecommunication terms. • Detailed explanations of 5G Core Architecture (SBA, AMF, SMF), Massive MIMO, Protocol Layers (RRC, MAC, PHY), and RF equations. Privacy & Performance First Your engineering data stays yours. 5G Architect performs complex Keplerian orbital propagation and RF math strictly on your local device. Location data used for satellite tracking is processed securely on-device and is never transmitted to our servers or third parties. WHO IS THIS APP FOR? • RF Planners and Optimization Engineers • Cell Tower Technicians and Field Deployers • Telecommunications Researchers and University Students • Wireless Tech Enthusiasts looking to understand the physics of 5G and Satellite networks. Download 5G Architect today and put the power of a professional telecommunications engineering suite in your pocket. (Note: Some advanced features, including the Link Budget Calculator and real-time Satellite Tracker, require a Premium unlock. A free preview mode is provided). Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

NetSward

Diagnose and understand your network connections with detailed insights. This toolkit provides clear next steps based on available network evidence, offering guided help or direct expert access for troubleshooting.

Highlights
  • Wi-Fi identity and connection path analysis
  • DNS and Bonjour discovery checks
  • TCP and TLS checks
  • Retained history and survey checkpoints
  • Guided and expert access modes
  • Optional Mac pairing for advanced diagnostics
Features
Read full description

Start with this device. NetSward turns the network evidence already available to your iPhone or iPad into clear next steps. See current Wi-Fi identity when iOS permits it, connection path and gateway evidence, bounded DNS checks, public interfaces, Bonjour discovery, user-entered DNS, TCP, and TLS checks, retained history, surveys, checkpoint maps, and reports with redaction options. Availability is labeled when iOS does not expose a capability; the app does not pretend that an unknown value is zero. Pair an optional Mac only when you choose. Mac evidence stays in its own source section with capture and receive times. Local Network, Location, and camera access are requested only for the related feature; pairing is disabled until you approve it. Choose Guided for symptom-based help or Workbench for direct expert access. Search and pin tools, replay recorded incidents, compare matching measurements, review survey checkpoints, and inspect bounded HTTPS resource timings. Optional local application-speed tests require Pro on both devices, a trusted Mac, and its temporary operator allowance. NetSward Pro is an optional one-time purchase. Pro adds richer local history, named surveys, HTTPS metrics, multi-source exports, and advanced Shortcuts. Pro is sold through the App Store and can be restored on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with the same Apple Account. Each device verifies its own entitlement; an iPhone or iPad purchase never authorizes a Mac command. Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

5G Architect4 screens
NetSward4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: 5G Architect at 17.0 against NetSward's 26.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. 5G Architect sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and NetSward sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
5G Architect versus NetSward: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5G ArchitectNetSward
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCybaz Solutions LLCLDM Co LLC

In-app purchases

3 purchases

5G Architect

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Access$5.991 Month
  • Yearly Access$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$89.99
1 purchases

NetSward

One-time1
  • NetSward Pro$19.99

Questions

Is 5G Architect free?
5G Architect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NetSward free?
NetSward is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do 5G Architect or NetSward have ads?
Neither 5G Architect nor NetSward shows ads.

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