Comparison

NetCLI vs Network Labs & Subnet Prep

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

Head to head
About

NetCLI

This app offers a hands-on Cisco network simulator for CCNA preparation. Practice real Cisco IOS commands, build and configure networks, and troubleshoot issues with daily challenges. It includes subnetting trainers, command references, and guided lessons.

Highlights
  • Real Cisco IOS command line practice
  • Network building and configuration
  • Daily troubleshooting challenges
  • Subnetting trainer with multiple levels
  • Command library and config explainer
  • CCNA-style practice questions
Features
Read full description

NetCLI is a free, hands-on Cisco network simulator for CCNA on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Build a network, type real Cisco IOS commands on routers and switches, and see the result in the topology. Practice subnetting, IPv6, Wi-Fi and troubleshooting anywhere. Practice familiar Cisco IOS commands from Packet Tracer in offline labs, wherever you study. Made for students preparing for the CCNA 200-301 exam, networking classes and anyone who wants to understand how networks really work. A NEW BROKEN NETWORK EVERY DAY • Daily troubleshooting: every day someone calls with a network problem – a port that's down, a wrong mask, two PCs on one IP, Wi-Fi that won't connect. Find the fault in the IOS terminal and prove the fix with your own ping • One free job every day, with a different fault, network and caller • Stamp your work orders through the week, and try a day again for a better stamp BUILD AND CONFIGURE YOUR OWN NETWORK • My Lab: add routers, switches and PCs, connect them and configure each device from its own terminal, with notes for each lab. The free lab supports up to 6 devices and one named save • Cisco IOS command line: user, privileged and global configuration mode, show commands, ? help and IOS-style error messages • PC command prompt that works like the one in Packet Tracer • Ping and packet trace to test your network • Wi-Fi: set up an access point with an SSID and a WPA2 key, then get a laptop online • Starter topologies and guided exercises when you don't know where to begin LEARN STEP BY STEP • Guided lessons from networking basics to CCNA topics • Readiness Check: a free, timed set of CCNA-style questions to see where you stand • Quiz: multiple-choice networking questions at different difficulty levels SUBNETTING AND IP ADDRESSING • Subnetting trainer with four difficulty levels: get a random IP and prefix, then find the network, broadcast, host range and usable hosts • Subnet practice for VLSM and CIDR, with an IPv6 example NETWORK REFERENCE TOOLS • Command library: look up Cisco IOS commands for VLANs, OSPF routing, ACLs, DHCP, NAT/PAT, IPv6, SSH and diagnostics, and open a lab scenario to try them • Config Explainer: paste a Cisco configuration and get a plain-English explanation of every line • Packet Tracer guides: step-by-step walkthroughs for common lab scenarios • Troubleshooting playbooks: work layer by layer through the OSI model with the right show commands • Interactive OSI model and network map THE BLOOM PROTOCOL: AN IT MYSTERY It's 2003. Per-Tommy put the coffee maker on the network. Solve faults in the terminal. The prologue and first episode are free, episode 2 is in Enable. NETCLI ENABLE • The basement: a new customer every day. Build a small business network from an empty floor, and Per-Tommy checks it before sign-off • Ticket queue: eight tickets a day, P1 to P4, and a title that climbs as you close them • More daily jobs, with VLAN and static route faults • Full CCNA practice exams with explanations, topic scores and lab questions • Up to 36 devices per lab, multiple saves and cable choices • Full command library, quiz bank, lab guides, terminal scenarios and IPv6 practice One payment gives you 100 days of access. No subscription, no automatic renewal. KEEP YOUR PROGRESS A free account syncs your learning progress. Labs stay on your device, with manual transfer available in Enable. The app interface is available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Turkish and Hindi. Lessons and IOS commands stay in English, as on the CCNA exam. Whether you're preparing for the CCNA exam, doing homework for a networking course or refreshing your Cisco skills, NetCLI gives you a hands-on network lab wherever you are. NetCLI is an independent learning app. It is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco, Cisco IOS, CCNA and Packet Tracer are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.

About

Network Labs & Subnet Prep

Features
Read full description

Still working out every subnet by hand? Practice until the math feels automatic. Network Labs & Subnet Prep gives you a new subnetting question every time, with the steps written out after you answer. It also includes independently created practice questions and guided offline labs for CCNA 200-301 study. SUBNETTING DRILL • A new question every time, so you practice the method instead of memorizing answers • Core skills: network address, broadcast address, usable host range, usable host count, prefix to mask, and mask to prefix • Advanced: wildcard masks for ACLs and OSPF, same-subnet checks, sizing a subnet for a host count (VLSM), splitting a network into subnets, and route summarization • Answers come from the built-in subnet calculator, which is tested against an independent reference ALSO INCLUDED • Subnet calculator: network, broadcast, host range, mask, wildcard mask, and usable hosts for any IPv4 address and prefix length • Practice questions by exam topic, with an explanation for every choice • Quick 10 and a mini mock exam • Guided labs for CLI, routing decisions, VLANs, ACLs, NAT, STP, and packet flow • Progress by exam version, with readiness shown as a study indicator, not a pass guarantee • Study Mode: lock the apps you choose for a set time, free for everyone • No account, no ads, and no data sent to external servers FREE AND LIFETIME ACCESS Free: all six core drill types without limits, one question of each advanced drill type, 50 practice questions, 25 guided labs, Quick 10 and Mini Mock, explanations, progress tracking, and purchase restoration. Lifetime Access: unlimited advanced drills, the complete 100-question bank, and all 50 guided labs, so Quick 10 and Mini Mock draw from the full set. One purchase; no subscription. STUDY MODE Pick the apps that pull you away, set a time, and they stay closed until it is up, so you can stay with practice questions and labs. Study Mode is free for everyone, works only on your device, and can be stopped any time from the app. This is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cisco Systems, Inc. It contains independently created educational content, not actual exam questions or unauthorized exam dumps. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://common-legume-c99.notion.site/3a1fb55d2567815483fdc70eae63359b

Screenshots

NetCLI4 screens
Network Labs & Subnet Prep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NetCLI at none against Network Labs & Subnet Prep's 1. NetCLI also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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. Network Labs & Subnet Prep sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NetCLI asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NetCLI ships an update every 4 days, Network Labs & Subnet Prep fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
NetCLI versus Network Labs & Subnet Prep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNetCLINetwork Labs & Subnet Prep
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristian Garmann SchjelderupShunya Iwasaki

In-app purchases

None

NetCLI

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Network Labs & Subnet Prep

One-time1
  • CCNA Lifetime Access$39.99

Questions

Is NetCLI free?
NetCLI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Network Labs & Subnet Prep free?
Network Labs & Subnet Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NetCLI or Network Labs & Subnet Prep have ads?
Neither NetCLI nor Network Labs & Subnet Prep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NetCLI or Network Labs & Subnet Prep?
NetCLI ships an update every 4 days, and Network Labs & Subnet Prep fortnightly. Most recently, NetCLI was updated on November 13, 2026 and Network Labs & Subnet Prep on October 31, 2026.

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