# HE.NET Network Tools vs Orb.net

The clearest difference is rating: Orb.net at 4.6 against HE.NET Network Tools's 4.0. Orb.net also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). HE.NET Network Tools's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 62%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, 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.

Orb.net holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70 and 35 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of HE.NET Network Tools's written reviews are positive against 62% of Orb.net's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

HE.NET Network Tools ships an update every 2 months, Orb.net every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 2, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HE.NET Network Tools | Orb.net |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/henet-network-tools/id858241710/reviews) | **[4.6 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orbnet/id6477840170/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **70** | 35 |
| Positive reviews | **77.8% of reviews** | 61.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hurricane Electric, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/317969600) | [Orb Forge Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1730784564) |

## What reviewers say

### HE.NET Network Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/henet-network-tools/id858241710)

A comprehensive suite of network diagnostic tools for professionals. It offers features like ARP/NDP lookup, DNS queries, IP calculations, bandwidth testing, and port scanning. Securely manage two-factor authentication codes and view network routing tables.

**Highlights:** ARP/NDP lookup, DNS lookup, IP Calculator, iperf bandwidth test, Port Scan, SSL/TLS Information, Two-factor authentication code storage

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 Comprehensive network diagnostic tools in one app
- 💰 Completely free with no ads or paywalls
- 🔒 Privacy-friendly and no data collection
- ⚡ Lightweight and efficient performance
- 🛠️ Advanced features like SSL cert chain analysis

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes on Interface Information tool
- 🐛 Dark mode text readability issues
- 🐛 iperf3 tool unreliable and buggy
- 🐛 DNS resolver doesn't show NXDOMAIN responses
- 🐛 App crashes when scrolling tool menu

**Reported bugs**

- Interface Information crashes app immediately
- iperf3 fails with 'operation not permitted' error
- iperf2 crashes on iOS 8+
- DNS lookups not responding after updates
- iperf3 only runs for 1 second despite longer duration settings

**Requested features**

- Vision Pro compatibility and controls
- SRV record lookup in DNS tool
- IPv6 subnet calculator
- WOL (Wake-on-LAN) magic packet support
- MTR (My Traceroute) tool


### Orb.net

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orbnet/id6477840170)

This free platform continuously measures your internet connection's responsiveness, reliability, and speed. It provides easy-to-understand scores and detailed technical information for users who want to understand their true internet experience.

**Highlights:** Measures internet responsiveness, Measures internet reliability, Measures internet speed, Continuous lightweight tests, Easy-to-understand scores, Technical details for advanced users

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good network insights
- 💡 Helpful for working from home

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't run in the background
- 🐛 Inaccurate speed test results
- 🐛 High system overhead

**Reported bugs**

- Console opens on desktop every time
- Slow performance

**Requested features**

- Apple TV app
- PlayStation app
- Background mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HE.NET Network Tools free?

HE.NET Network Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Orb.net free?

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

### Which has better reviews, HE.NET Network Tools or Orb.net?

Orb.net is rated higher. HE.NET Network Tools averages 4.0 out of 5 from 70 ratings, while Orb.net averages 4.6 from 35 ratings.

### Do HE.NET Network Tools or Orb.net have ads?

Neither HE.NET Network Tools nor Orb.net shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HE.NET Network Tools or Orb.net?

HE.NET Network Tools ships an update every 2 months, and Orb.net every 2 weeks. Most recently, HE.NET Network Tools was updated on September 2, 2026 and Orb.net on August 31, 2026.

---

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