Comparison

Shellbee vs NetAlertX Companion

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

Head to head
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.

About

NetAlertX Companion

Monitor your home network security and connected devices in real-time. Quickly identify unknown devices and manage your network status directly from your phone. Requires a self-hosted NetAlertX server to function.

Highlights
  • Live device overview
  • Intruder detection
  • Secure API connection
  • Modern native design
  • Privacy-focused
  • Quick setup
Features
Read full description

Your NetAlertX Mobile Companion Take control of your home network security. NetAlertX Companion is a fast, minimal, and native client designed specifically for your self-hosted NetAlertX instance. See exactly which devices are connected to your WiFi, monitor their offline/online status, and quickly spot unknown intruders right from your phone. IMPORTANT PREREQUISITE This is a client application. It requires a running, self-hosted NetAlertX instance on your home network (e.g., hosted via Docker, Raspberry Pi, or a custom homelab server) to function. It will not scan your network standalone without a server connection. Core Features: Live Device Overview: Get a real-time list of all online and offline devices, including their IP and MAC addresses. Intruder Detection: Quickly identify unknown or newly connected devices on your network. Secure API Connection: Connects directly and securely to your local server using your NetAlertX API token. Modern Native Design: Built entirely with Jetpack Compose for a lightning-fast, smooth, and beautiful Material Design experience. Privacy First: All data stays between your phone and your local server. No third-party tracking, no cloud accounts required. Quick & Easy Setup: Enter your NetAlertX server IP or URL. Paste your secure API token (found in your NetAlertX Web UI settings). Connect and instantly view your network status! Perfect for homelab enthusiasts, network administrators, and anyone running self-hosted tools like Pi-hole, Home Assistant, or NetAlertX who wants a dedicated mobile dashboard.

Screenshots

Shellbee4 screens
NetAlertX Companion4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Shellbee at 5.0 against NetAlertX Companion's 1.0. Shellbee also leads on iOS requirement (17.5 vs 26.5). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shellbee holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Shellbee versus NetAlertX Companion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShellbeeNetAlertX Companion
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 2 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.5 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKenneth BergAli Kabiri

In-app purchases

None

Shellbee

No in-app purchases

None

NetAlertX Companion

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shellbee free?
Shellbee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NetAlertX Companion free?
NetAlertX Companion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Shellbee or NetAlertX Companion?
Shellbee is rated higher. Shellbee averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while NetAlertX Companion averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Shellbee or NetAlertX Companion have ads?
Neither Shellbee nor NetAlertX Companion shows ads.

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