# Loon vs Stash

The clearest difference is rating: Stash at 4.4 against Loon's 3.9. Stash also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and price ($5.99 vs $7.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Loon costs $7.99 and Stash $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Stash holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 506 and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Loon's written reviews are positive against 62% of Stash's.

Loon ships an update every 5 weeks, Stash fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Loon | Stash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $7.99 | **$5.99** |
| Rating | [3.9 (506 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loon/id1373567447/reviews) | **[4.4 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stash-rule-based-proxy/id1596063349/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 506 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 53.4% of reviews | **61.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #21 | **#3** |
| Size | 65 MB | 131 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Loon Lab Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1631584654) | [STASH NETWORKS LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1596063351) |

## What reviewers say

### Loon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loon/id1373567447)

**Currently charting:** #21 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

This app is a powerful network tool for debugging and optimizing connections. It offers comprehensive traffic capture, detailed record-keeping, and advanced routing options. Features include robust ad-blocking and cutting-edge DNS capabilities.

**Highlights:** Wide protocol support (ss, vmess, trojan, etc.), Comprehensive traffic capture (HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP), Detailed request/response header and body recording, MITM functionality over HTTP2, Advanced domain-based routing, Robust ad-blocking with custom rules, Traffic usage monitoring, Advanced DNS features (IPv6, DoH, DoQ, DoH3)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for ad blocking
- 🚀 Faster than Quantumult X
- 🔒 Secure and reliable
- 👍 Simple and user-friendly
- 👍 Frequent updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unstable connection
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤔 Limited protocol support
- 💸 Expensive compared to alternatives

**Reported bugs**

- Nodes not working after iOS 16 update
- Subscription issues and inability to refund
- Mitm and script features not functioning properly
- Incompatibility with certain games and apps

**Requested features**

- Support for Reality protocol
- Support for gRPC protocol
- Proxy sharing feature
- Improved DNS hijacking protection
- Better widget and shortcut support


### Stash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stash-rule-based-proxy/id1596063349)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Paid · Utilities, #75 Top Paid (US App Store)

This app is a powerful rule-based proxy client for iOS, offering advanced network management. It supports multiple proxy protocols and features like JavaScript rewriting, MitM decryption, and on-demand connections. Easily route traffic based on domain, IP, or User-Agent for enhanced network control.

**Highlights:** Rule-based proxy client, Multiple proxy protocol support, JavaScript rewriting, Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) decryption, SSID Policy Groups, On-Demand Connections, Native UI dashboard

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Stable and fast connection
- 💡 Comprehensive features
- 🚀 Efficient performance
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Simple and user-friendly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and reconnections
- 🐛 Subscription and activation problems
- 🐛 Unreliable VPN functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Corrupt VPN profile detection
- Inability to remember last used proxy mode
- Incompatibility with some subscription links
- Lack of support for certain protocols (e.g., vless, mkcp)
- Automatic mode switching issues

**Requested features**

- Support for latest protocols (e.g., reality, hysteria2)
- Customizable VPN profiles and settings
- Improved widget functionality
- Automatic reconnection on sleep/wake
- Detailed network usage statistics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Loon free?

Loon costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Stash free?

Stash costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Loon or Stash?

Stash is rated higher. Loon averages 3.9 out of 5 from 506 ratings, while Stash averages 4.4 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Loon or Stash have ads?

Neither Loon nor Stash shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Loon or Stash?

Loon ships an update every 5 weeks, and Stash fortnightly. Most recently, Loon was updated on September 23, 2026 and Stash on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Loon or Stash?

Loon currently peaks at #21 in the App Store charts, and Stash at #3. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*