Comparison

Cheap VPN vs Lightning VPN

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

Head to head
About

Cheap VPN

This app provides a secure and private internet connection with a fast, stable proxy. It offers unlimited access to various locations, with a free ad-supported option and a premium subscription for an ad-free experience and enhanced virtual locations.

Highlights
  • Free connection with ads
  • Unlimited access
  • Fast and stable servers
  • Secure and private connection
  • No registration required
  • Simple to use
Features
Read full description

Private networking with Cheap VPN. Features: • free connection (with Ads) • unlimited access • the cheapest subscription on App Store • fast and stable servers • secure and private connection • no registration or login • simple to use Monthly Subscription $3.99: • No Ads • Unlimited connection • Premium virtual locations - 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. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://lukatu.com/cheapvpn/privacy-policy Terms & Conditions: https://lukatu.com/cheapvpn/terms-conditions

About

Lightning VPN

Easily secure your internet connection with a single tap. Protect your privacy on public Wi-Fi and browse, work, or travel with less interruption. Offers multiple routing modes and detailed traffic overviews.

Highlights
  • One-tap VPN connection
  • Route selection and node latency testing
  • Multiple routing modes (rule-based, global, direct)
  • Traffic overview and connection management
  • Configuration pairing with QR code
  • Account and subscription management
Features
Read full description

Tired of complicated VPN setup or uncertain public Wi‑Fi? Lightning VPN makes private connection simple. Sign in to start your 2-day free trial, choose a route, and connect with one tap. At a cafe, airport, hotel, or on the road, Lightning VPN helps you get back to browsing, working, and traveling with less friction. Features: • VPN connection: Start or stop the VPN and check the current connection status. • Route selection: View available nodes and routes and switch routes when needed. • Node latency testing: Check node latency before selecting a route. • Plan management: View plans, service periods, usage, and renewal information. • Subscription management: Update remote profiles and route information. • Routing modes: Choose between rule-based, global, and direct modes. • Traffic overview: View upload, download, daily usage, and overall traffic. • Connection management: View active connections, connection details, and proxy chains. • Configuration pairing: Sync configuration to supported companion devices with a QR code. • Account services: View orders, service status, and account information. Lightning VPN provides VPN connections, routes, and service plans. Users need to register or sign in to a Lightning VPN account and select the service that fits their needs. The number of available routes, connection speed, and stability may vary depending on the user's region, network environment, server status, and selected plan. Please review applicable laws, network requirements, and service terms before use.

Screenshots

Cheap VPN4 screens
Lightning VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lightning VPN at 4.7 against Cheap VPN's 4.2. Lightning VPN also leads on ads (none vs shown). Cheap VPN's advantage is review sentiment (62% vs 38%) and ratings volume (165 vs 3). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Cheap VPN sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Lightning VPN sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightning VPN holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cheap VPN has 165 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of Cheap VPN's written reviews are positive against 38% of Lightning VPN's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cheap VPN ships an update fortnightly, Lightning VPN every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Cheap VPN versus Lightning VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCheap VPNLightning VPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (165 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.0% of reviews — better37.5% of reviews
Number of ratings165 — better3
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB98 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperLukatu LtdQG TECH PTY LTD

Customer experience

Cheap VPN

All ratings153 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral4.6%
Negative17.6%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive62.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative30.0%

Lightning VPN

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative62.5%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Cheap VPN

Subscriptions3
  • Week$1.997 Days
  • Month$2.991 Month
  • Year7 Days trial$29.991 Year
10 purchases

Lightning VPN

One-time10
  • 超短7天会员$0.99
  • 30天会员$3.99
  • 常规 大杯 季付$14.99
Show 7 more
  • 年度会员-365天$18.99
  • 常规 超大杯 季付$19.99
  • 常规 大杯 半年付$22.99
  • 常规 超大杯 半年付$29.99
  • 无限流量 半年付$39.99
  • 常规 超大杯 年付$59.99
  • 无限流量 年付$59.99

Questions

Is Cheap VPN free?
Cheap VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lightning VPN free?
Lightning VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cheap VPN or Lightning VPN?
Lightning VPN is rated higher. Cheap VPN averages 4.2 out of 5 from 165 ratings, while Lightning VPN averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Cheap VPN or Lightning VPN have ads?
Cheap VPN shows ads; Lightning VPN does not.
Which is updated more often, Cheap VPN or Lightning VPN?
Cheap VPN ships an update fortnightly, and Lightning VPN every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cheap VPN was updated on November 2, 2026 and Lightning VPN on November 9, 2026.

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