# Pocket CLI vs Backflow Buddy

The clearest difference is price: Backflow Buddy at $1.99 against Pocket CLI's $74.99. Backflow Buddy also leads on chart position (#192 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). Pocket CLI's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (69% vs 50%). On rating, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Pocket CLI costs $74.99 and Backflow Buddy $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.7 for Pocket CLI against 3.7 for Backflow Buddy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pocket CLI has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of Pocket CLI's written reviews are positive against 50% of Backflow Buddy's.

Pocket CLI ships an update every 3 weeks, Backflow Buddy fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pocket CLI | Backflow Buddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $74.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | [3.7 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-cli/id956405354/reviews) | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backflow-buddy/id6475203858/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **17** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **68.8% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#192** |
| Size | 17 MB | 258 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Marvin Arriola](https://appshunter.io/developer/1678593082) | [Greg Phillips](https://appshunter.io/developer/1723623593) |

## What reviewers say

### Pocket CLI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-cli/id956405354)

This app simulates Cisco IOS for network configuration and troubleshooting practice. Design and build interactive network topologies, follow along with labs, or tackle troubleshooting challenges. Practice CCNA skills anywhere, anytime, without expensive hardware.

**Highlights:** Cisco IOS simulation, Interactive network topology design, CCNA lab practice, Troubleshooting challenges, iBGP & eBGP support, Subnet calculator and practice

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Backflow Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backflow-buddy/id6475203858)

**Currently charting:** #192 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

This app simulates backflow prevention devices and their testing procedures. It offers customizable water pressure simulations and quizzes to prepare users for certification exams.

**Highlights:** RPZ and Test Gauge simulation, Double Check and Test Gauge simulation, Customizable internal water pressure, Differential pressure gauge simulation, Quiz preparation with multiple lengths, Randomized industry-expert questions, Comprehensive quiz results

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pocket CLI free?

Pocket CLI costs $74.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Backflow Buddy free?

Backflow Buddy costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Pocket CLI or Backflow Buddy?

Pocket CLI and Backflow Buddy are both rated 3.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 17 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do Pocket CLI or Backflow Buddy have ads?

Backflow Buddy shows ads; Pocket CLI does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pocket CLI or Backflow Buddy?

Pocket CLI ships an update every 3 weeks, and Backflow Buddy fortnightly. Most recently, Pocket CLI was updated on September 19, 2026 and Backflow Buddy on August 27, 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.*