Comparison

Outline App vs ShadowShare

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

Head to head
About

Outline App

Create and manage your own virtual private network (VPN) server for secure and private internet access. Share access with friends or colleagues by sending them an invitation directly from the manager. Enjoy fast, reliable, and encrypted connections to the open internet.

Highlights
  • Set up your own VPN server
  • Securely access the open internet
  • Keep communications private
  • Share access with trusted individuals
  • Fast and reliable connections
  • Strong encryption
Read full description

Outline is an easy way for you to set up your own virtual private network (VPN) server to more safely access the open internet and keep your communications private. If you have received an access key, download the Outline app to get started. If you haven’t received an access key, you’ll first need to set-up your own server. Get started by downloading the Outline Manager from getoutline.org. Creating your own server is quick and easy, and instructions in the Manager will guide you through each step. How Do I Set Up Outline? - Outline consists of two related products: the Outline Manager and Outline. - The Outline Manager lets you create and operate your own VPN, and share access with anyone you choose by sending them an invitation directly from the Manager. Once you’ve downloaded the Manager, you can easily set up a VPN server on a cloud provider in less than five minutes. - After setup is complete, you can download the Outline app on your phone and desktop. - Share internet access with coworkers or friends by inviting them directly from the Manager. - If you’ve received an access code from someone using an Outline Manager you’re all set! Just download the app and get started. Why use Outline? - Fast, reliable access to the open internet, powered by the Shadowsocks protocol - Allows you to create and maintain your own VPN server and provide access with those you trust - Strong encryption keeps your communications private - Completely open source and audited by a nonprofit security firm

About

ShadowShare

Access a variety of free proxy configurations that are updated hourly. Enjoy unlimited usage without restrictions. This utility app provides ongoing access to proxy settings for your needs.

Highlights
  • Free proxy configurations
  • Unlimited usage
  • Hourly updates
  • Proxy settings access
Features
Read full description

1、Free proxy configs forever. 2、no limit. 3、update every hour. Terms of Service: https://shadowsharing.com/terms-of-service.html

Screenshots

Outline App4 screens
ShadowShare4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ShadowShare at 4.7 against Outline App's 4.2. ShadowShare also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.5). Outline App's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support 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. ShadowShare sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Outline App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ShadowShare holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 367 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Outline App's written reviews are positive against 63% of ShadowShare's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Outline App ships an update every 2 months, ShadowShare every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Outline App versus ShadowShare: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOutline AppShadowShare
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (1.5K ratings)4.7 (367 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.8% of reviews62.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.5K — better367
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.513.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB108 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperOutline FoundationPHERUS .CO -SMC LIMITED

Customer experience

Outline App

All ratings1,504 ratings
Positive79.3%
Neutral5.6%
Negative15.1%
Written reviews317 reviews
Positive56.8%
Neutral9.8%
Negative33.4%

ShadowShare

All ratings367 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative33.3%

User reviews

Outline App

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Easy to set up and use
  • 💡 Ability to create own VPN server

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connection issues
  • 🔌 Unstable performance on mobile data
  • 📉 Declining quality over time
  • 🤖 Lack of customer support

ShadowShare

From 367 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Good app overall
  • 👍 New version is good
  • 👍 Many nodes available
  • 👍 Free nodes
  • 👍 Best node sharing tool on iOS

Room to improve

  • 😞 Most nodes unusable
  • 😞 Nodes don't work
  • 😞 Cannot open websites
  • 😞 Subscription not updating
  • 😞 SSL error connecting to server

Bugs and requests

Outline App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes after recent updates
  • Unable to add new servers on iOS
  • Connectivity problems in certain regions (e.g. Iran, China)

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add iOS widget support
  • Improve UI/UX, especially on larger screens
  • Provide more server location options
  • Implement kill switch and split-tunneling features
  • Add statistics and usage tracking

ShadowShare

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • High-anonymous nodes not displayed after update
  • Subscription not updating
  • SSL error when connecting to server
  • Copying clash configuration to clipboard results in nothing when pasted
  • Subscription conversion returns 400, 403, 404 errors
Show 3 more
  • Generated subscription links are unusable
  • Cannot update
  • App cannot connect to servers

Requested features

3 requests
  • Show high-anonymous nodes after update
  • Limit node count to under 50
  • Add speed test and one-click node filtering function

In-app purchases

None

Outline App

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

ShadowShare

Subscriptions3
  • Prime Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Prime Quarterly$4.993 Months
  • Prime Yearly$16.991 Year

Questions

Is Outline App free?
Outline App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShadowShare free?
ShadowShare is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Outline App or ShadowShare?
ShadowShare is rated higher. Outline App averages 4.2 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while ShadowShare averages 4.7 from 367 ratings.
Do Outline App or ShadowShare have ads?
ShadowShare shows ads; Outline App does not.
Which is updated more often, Outline App or ShadowShare?
Outline App ships an update every 2 months, and ShadowShare every 6 weeks. Most recently, Outline App was updated on September 22, 2026 and ShadowShare on September 13, 2026.

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