# EXPLORER Connect vs glinet

The clearest difference is rating: EXPLORER Connect at 5.0 against glinet's 3.5. glinet's advantage is review sentiment (38% vs 0%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 10 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

EXPLORER Connect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: glinet has 23 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of EXPLORER Connect's written reviews are positive against 38% of glinet's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

EXPLORER Connect ships an update every 10 months, glinet every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EXPLORER Connect | glinet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorer-connect/id983965032/reviews)** | [3.5 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glinet/id1523245996/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **23** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **37.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 26 MB | 118 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thrane & Thrane AS](https://appshunter.io/developer/983965031) | [GL Technologies (HK) Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1490828301) |

## What reviewers say

### EXPLORER Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorer-connect/id983965032)

Manage and operate EXPLORER BGAN terminals with ease. This application allows you to monitor terminal status, configure settings, and even use your smartphone as a satellite phone for making and receiving calls.

**Highlights:** Satellite phone capability, Terminal status dashboard, Configuration settings, Terminal pointing assistance, SIP phone settings

**In-app purchases:** none


### glinet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glinet/id1523245996)

Manage your GL.iNet router remotely, from basic setup and password changes to configuring mesh networks and VPN connections. Monitor real-time traffic, block unwanted users, and check device performance. Easily update firmware, control LED lights, and pause WiFi.

**Highlights:** Basic router setup and password management, Mesh network configuration, OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN setup, Real-time traffic monitoring, Block unwanted WiFi users, Live router status and performance checklist, Firmware updates and LED light control

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Remote router management
- 👍 Dark mode available
- 👍 Controls multiple routers
- 👍 Works well for basic setup
- 👍 Easy initial setup

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent 429 errors
- 🐛 Buggy GUI
- 🐛 Confusing settings
- 🐛 Cannot sign back in
- 🐛 App behaves like first-time setup after sign-out

**Reported bugs**

- 429 errors during VPN setup
- GUI is buggy
- Cannot sign back in after sign out
- App behaves as if setting up for the first time after sign out
- No instructions provided

**Requested features**

- Add USB print server function
- More versatile functionalities (repeater, astrowarp)
- Automate captive portal workflow for travel
- Import MAC address for captive portals
- Include all web admin console features in the app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EXPLORER Connect free?

EXPLORER Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is glinet free?

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

### Which has better reviews, EXPLORER Connect or glinet?

EXPLORER Connect is rated higher. EXPLORER Connect averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while glinet averages 3.5 from 23 ratings.

### Do EXPLORER Connect or glinet have ads?

Neither EXPLORER Connect nor glinet shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EXPLORER Connect or glinet?

EXPLORER Connect ships an update every 10 months, and glinet every 5 weeks. Most recently, EXPLORER Connect was updated on October 1, 2026 and glinet on November 3, 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.*