BLE Radar vs Quad9 Connect
Side-by-side comparison of two open source alternatives
BLE Radar
DISCLAIMER: This project is developed solely for educational, security research, and personal investigative purposes. The author does not endorse or encourage any use of this software for unlawful or unethical activities. You are solely responsible for ensuring your use of this tool complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a widely used wireless protocol that powers a huge variety of devices around you — from headphones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers to AirTags, IoT devices, game controllers, and even modern intimate gadgets. BLE devices communicate by broadcasting small packets of data, which can include device identifiers, metadata, and other information necessary for connectivity. These broadcasts, while essential for device functionality, can also be used to track your presence and movements. For example, a cheap pair of wireless headphones may expose a persistent identifier publicly. Anyone listening to BLE packets nearby — whether governments, companies, or malicious actors — could potentially use that information to track you without your consent. Fortunately, many modern devices implement privacy features in BLE to prevent tracking, such as randomized addresses and limited advertising. BLE Radar helps you distinguish between devices that protect your privacy and those that might be trackable. By analyzing BLE traffic in your surroundings, the app gives you insight into which devices are safe to use. Beyond analysis, BLE Radar can help protect you in real-time. The app can alert you when a suspicious device is nearby or if a device is moving with you over time, giving you an early warning against potential stalking or unwanted tracking. You can configure alerts based on device identifiers, types, or behaviors to fit your security needs. By making this app, the goal is to empower you with knowledge and control over the BLE devices in your environment. Understanding which devices are broadcasting trackable information and which are privacy-conscious allows you to make informed decisions about what you use, wear, and interact with daily. In general, the app is capable: * Scan, analyze and track Bluetooth devices around; * Create flexible filters for the radar; * Deep analysis of the scanned BLE devices, getting data from the available GATT services; * Gatt services Explorer; * Define the device type by metadata; * Define approximate distance to the device. Bluetooth Radar does not collect or send your personal or geolocation data. The project is fully opensource and available on GitHub.
Quad9 Connect
Quad9 Connect is an Android and ChromeOS app that sends your DNS queries to Quad9's secure, private, open recursive DNS service. Quad9 Connect adds additional functionality and features compared to using Android's Private DNS feature to utilize encrypted DNS or configured Quad9 in Chrome on ChromeOS. The application creates a split VPN tunnel with Android API "VpnService" to configure an alternate DNS server on Android and ChromeOS. ## Features - DNS over TLS or DNS over UDP - DNS Query Log - Trusted Networks - Blocked Query Notifications - Local Domains - Excluded Applications
| Feature | BLE Radar | Quad9 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0-only | AGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Install sources | F-DroidGitHubIzzyOnDroid | F-DroidGitHub |
| Categories | Password ManagerMessaging | Password ManagerProductivityFirewallMessagingBrowser |
| Features | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking |
| Platforms | Android | Android |
| Website | ||
| Source code |