Comparison

Brook.app vs Spectre VPN

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Brook.app

This cross-platform network tool requires server deployment. A paid subscription offers enhanced features to support ongoing development and project continuity.

Highlights
  • Cross-platform network tool
  • Client-server software
  • Server deployment required
  • Paid subscription for advanced features
  • Supports project continuity
Features
Read full description

Brook - Brook is a cross-platform network tool - Brook is client-server software, you need to deploy the server: https://github.com/txthinking/brook Brook Plus - Brook Plus is a paid option that allows paying users access to more generous features, allowing us to continue to sustain the continuity of this project. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - You can manage subscription in App Store Setting. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Service: https://www.txthinking.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.txthinking.com/privacy.html About Brook Plus - Even with the free version of Brook, normal use is possible - Brook Plus is a paid option that allows paying users access to more generous features, allowing us to continue to sustain the continuity of this project

About

Spectre VPN

This app provides secure internet access using Shadowsocks and Trojan protocols. It offers strong encryption to protect your privacy from third parties and features an intuitive design for ease of use. It is available for free.

Highlights
  • Shadowsocks and Trojan protocol support
  • Strong encryption for privacy
  • Lightweight and efficient proxy
  • Intuitive and simple design
  • Free to use
Features
Read full description

A multi-protocol VPN and proxy client for your own servers. Import subscriptions, control traffic with routing rules, and connect from your Home Screen. IMPORT ONCE, KEEP SERVERS TOGETHER Add a server by scanning its QR code, pasting a link, or entering the details yourself. Import subscriptions to manage multiple nodes in one place. Check server latency before choosing a connection. CHOOSE WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR PROXY Use Global mode for proxy routing, or Rule mode to choose which traffic connects directly and which uses your proxy. Edit your own rules or import a rule list from a URL. CONNECT FROM YOUR HOME SCREEN See the active server and connection status in the widget, then use its switch to connect or disconnect. On iOS 18 and later, add Spectre VPN to Control Center for another quick way to control your connection. USE THE PROTOCOL YOUR SERVER NEEDS - Shadowsocks and Trojan - VMess and VLESS - Hysteria2 and TUIC - SOCKS and HTTP For advanced setups, use a complete custom sing-box JSON configuration. The app interface supports 14 languages. BRING YOUR OWN SERVER Spectre does not include VPN servers or sell VPN service subscriptions. A compatible server configuration or subscription link is required.

Screenshots

Brook.app4 screens
Spectre VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Spectre VPN at none against Brook.app's 2. Spectre VPN also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Brook.app's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (84% vs 68%). On price, ratings volume, ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Brook.app sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Spectre VPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Brook.app holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 177 and 250 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Brook.app's written reviews are positive against 68% of Spectre VPN's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Brook.app ships an update every 6 weeks, Spectre VPN every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Brook.app versus Spectre VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrook.appSpectre VPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (177 ratings) — better3.9 (250 ratings)
Positive reviews83.7% of reviews — better68.1% of reviews
Number of ratings177250 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank#180#94 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB136 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperTxThinking, Inc.Passion Only

Customer experience

Brook.app

All ratings177 ratings
Positive80.2%
Neutral10.2%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive83.7%
Neutral5.8%
Negative10.6%

Spectre VPN

All ratings248 ratings
Positive72.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative23.0%
Written reviews216 reviews
Positive68.1%
Neutral5.6%
Negative26.4%

User reviews

Brook.app

From 177 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Perfect UDP support
  • 🔒 Server information hiding capability
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 💪 Powerful network tool with extensive features
  • 🌍 Cross-platform compatibility

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections and auto-disconnects
  • ⏱️ App crashes and performance degradation
  • 📵 iOS 12 compatibility issues
  • 🔌 VPN background process termination
  • ❌ Limited app support (Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook)

Spectre VPN

From 250 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Reliable and efficient app
  • 🚀 Smooth and fast performance
  • 🔒 Secure and trustworthy
  • 💡 Lightweight and easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Video loading issues
  • 🐛 Connectivity problems after updates
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and timeouts
  • 🔋 High battery consumption

Bugs and requests

Brook.app

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Frequent unexpected disconnections
  • VPN process killed in background
  • iOS 12.1 connection failures
  • Connection button shows connected but not actually connected
  • App crashes without warning
Show 5 more
  • Incompatibility with iOS versions below 10
  • Whitelist mode auto-disconnect issues
  • Push notifications not received while connected
  • Safari works but Instagram/YouTube don't
  • Slow performance after recent updates

Requested features

9 requests
  • Server naming and alias functionality
  • Auto-connect feature
  • Global proxy toggle button
  • Mac application version
  • VPN support
Show 4 more
  • Background App Refresh support
  • iOS 9 support
  • Improved whitelist mode stability
  • Better app-specific proxy support

Spectre VPN

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 12.5.5 and older
  • Incompatibility with certain devices and OS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Support for more protocols (e.g., VMess, VLESS, SSTP)
  • Server sorting by ping/latency
  • Websocket connection support
  • Manual server configuration
  • Multiple server import from clipboard

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Brook.app

Subscriptions2
  • Brook Plus$1.991 Month
  • Brook Plus$49.991 Year
None

Spectre VPN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Brook.app free?
Brook.app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Spectre VPN free?
Spectre VPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Brook.app or Spectre VPN?
Brook.app is rated higher. Brook.app averages 4.3 out of 5 from 177 ratings, while Spectre VPN averages 3.9 from 250 ratings.
Do Brook.app or Spectre VPN have ads?
Neither Brook.app nor Spectre VPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Brook.app or Spectre VPN?
Brook.app ships an update every 6 weeks, and Spectre VPN every 2 weeks. Most recently, Brook.app was updated on November 1, 2026 and Spectre VPN on October 29, 2026.
Which is more popular, Brook.app or Spectre VPN?
Brook.app currently peaks at #180 in the App Store charts, and Spectre VPN at #94. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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