Netfox VS fast-cli

• Network Debugging Focus
  Netfox is specifically designed for iOS network debugging, providing a lightweight in-app library to monitor HTTP/HTTPS traffic directly on device without needing external proxy tools.
• Easy Integration
  It can be integrated into projects via CocoaPods, Carthage, or Swift Package Manager, making it straightforward to add to existing iOS applications.
• No Proxy Configuration Needed
  Unlike tools such as Charles Proxy, Netfox doesn't require configuring a proxy on the device, simplifying the debugging setup process.
• Open Source and Free
  Netfox is open source and free to use, making it accessible for developers on any budget and allowing community contributions and transparency in its codebase.
• In-App Visualization
  It provides a built-in UI within the app to inspect requests, responses, headers, and timing information, allowing developers to debug directly on the device or simulator.

Possible disadvantages

• iOS-Only Support
  Netfox is limited to iOS development, so it cannot be used for debugging network traffic in Android or cross-platform applications.
• Limited Advanced Features
  Compared to more robust tools like Charles Proxy or Proxyman, Netfox lacks advanced features such as request modification, breakpoints, or SSL proxying for third-party apps.
• Maintenance Concerns
  As an open source project, its update frequency and long-term maintenance may be inconsistent, potentially causing compatibility issues with newer iOS or Swift versions.
• Basic UI/UX
  The in-app interface, while functional, is relatively basic and may not offer the same level of polish or usability as dedicated desktop debugging tools.
• No Cross-App Traffic Monitoring
  Since it only monitors traffic within the app it's integrated into, it cannot be used to inspect network calls from other apps or system-level processes.

• Speed
  Fast-cli provides quick and reliable speed test results by leveraging the fast.com service, which is backed by Netflix.
• Simplicity
  The tool is easy to use with a simple command-line interface, requiring minimal configuration to get started.
• Cross-Platform
  Fast-cli can run on multiple operating systems, including macOS, Linux, and Windows, making it versatile for different user environments.
• Open Source
  Being an open-source project allows anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to the codebase, fostering community involvement.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited Features
  Fast-cli primarily focuses on download speed and lacks more detailed metrics like latency and upload speed, which may be important for some users.
• Dependence on Fast.com
  The tool relies on the fast.com service, which could limit its functionality if the service faces downtime or changes that affect compatibility.
• Lack of Detailed Reporting
  Unlike some other speed test tools, fast-cli doesn't provide extensive options for historical data tracking or detailed reporting.
• No Graphical User Interface
  As a command-line tool, it lacks a graphical user interface, which might not be suitable for users who prefer visual interfaces over text-based ones.

Tracking Netfox since Jul 2026.

• macOS Command-Line Tools You Might Not Know About

  There is also a CLI client for speedtest.net[1] and fast.com[2]! Not included with MacOS, of course, but nice to have around. [1] https://www.speedtest.net/apps/cli [2] - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

• Poor forwarding performance between two WireGuard tunnels

  Ran command-line tests on the server for Fast.com using awesome fast-cli and SpeedTest.net CLI utility. Both showed 1 Gbps performance via wg1 tunnel from server to internet. Source: about 4 years ago

• App To Monitor For Slow Speed, Not Total Outage

  You could use something like fast-cli to get your speed, log it and the date/time to a file if it's too low, and sleep 5 minutes or whatever. Source: about 5 years ago