Shadowscale vs BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Shadowscale
This VPN client simplifies secure internet access by allowing users to import configurations via QR codes or manual URL entry. It provides a straightforward way to set up and manage your VPN connection for enhanced online privacy and security.
- VPN client
- QR code configuration import
- Manual URL configuration
- Secure internet access
- Enhanced online privacy
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A VPN client for WEB. Allows configuration to be imported by scanning QR codes or by manually entering URLs with the settings.
BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM
This VPN service offers fast, private, and controlled online protection. It features simple one-tap connection, smart routing options, and per-device VPN control for enhanced flexibility and security.
- One-tap connection
- Split tunneling
- Per-device VPN control
- Custom DNS settings
- Military-grade encryption
- Strict no-log policy
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BNE Guard VPN turns your connection private in one tap. It routes your traffic through an encrypted WireGuard® tunnel to a location you choose, so the network you are on — hotel Wi-Fi, airport, café, office — can’t see what you do online. ONE TAP, AND YOU’RE COVERED • Tap the ring to connect. Tap again to disconnect. • Fastest available picks the best location for you, or choose a country yourself. • Home shows your session timer, live download and upload speed, an activity graph, and your public and private IP. PICK WHERE YOU APPEAR • Every server location, each with its flag. • Busy locations are marked, so you can choose another one. KNOW YOUR CONNECTION IS WORKING • Connection health shows the last check, latency, data this session, server, protocol and your verified public IP. • If a tunnel stops responding, BNE Guard flags it and offers a one-tap Reconnect. • Network diagnosis checks your connection and tells you what’s wrong. PAUSE, THEN IT TURNS ITSELF BACK ON • Pause protection for 5, 15 or 60 minutes when you need to. • BNE Guard resumes automatically when the time is up — even if the app is closed. YOU DECIDE WHAT GOES THROUGH • Full tunnel mode routes everything through BNE Guard. • Split tunnel routes only the networks (IP ranges) you list. • Use BNE Guard DNS, or set your own primary and secondary DNS servers. ONE ACCOUNT, FIVE DEVICES • Use BNE Guard on up to 5 devices — iPhone, iPad and Mac. • See every device on your account, remove one to free a slot, and rename this device’s VPN. • Devices on your account can reach each other privately inside the VPN. BUILT FOR IPHONE AND IPAD • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets show your status and connect with a tap. • Live Activity and Dynamic Island keep the session in view while you connect, connected or paused. • Control Center toggle (iOS 18 and later), Action button, and Siri Shortcuts: “Protect me”, “Turn off”, “Connect to [location]”, “Pause 15 minutes”, “Am I protected?”. • Light and dark theme. Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, Japanese, Russian, Italian and Turkish. PRIVACY BNE Guard doesn’t track or record your online activity. The app collects only the minimal service statistics needed to keep the VPN running, as described in the privacy policy inside the app and at the link below. HOW IT WORKS Sign in with your BNE account — email or account number, Google, or Apple — or create one. Choose a plan (monthly, 6-month or yearly). Tap the ring. That’s it. BNE Guard VPN requires an active subscription to connect. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your Apple ID account settings. Need help? Live chat and email support are built into the app: Settings → Help & support.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Shadowscale at 4.5 against BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM's 3.8. Shadowscale also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (71% vs 50%). BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Shadowscale asks for nothing beyond the download.
Shadowscale holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shadowscale has 20 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Shadowscale's written reviews are positive against 50% of BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM's.
Shadowscale ships an update every 5 weeks, BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Shadowscale | BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (20 ratings) — better | 3.8 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 58 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 12VPX | BNESIM Limited |
Customer experience
Shadowscale
BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM
In-app purchases
Shadowscale
No in-app purchases
BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM
- Honey Drop Monthly Plan14 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Honeycomb 6 Months Plan14 Days trial$29.996 Months
- Honey Treasure 1 Year Plan14 Days trial$49.991 Year
Questions
Is Shadowscale free?
Is BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM free?
Which has better reviews, Shadowscale or BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM?
Do Shadowscale or BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM have ads?
Which is updated more often, Shadowscale or BNEGuard VPN by BNESIM?
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