Comparison

Lantern vs nthLink

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

Head to head
About

Lantern

This app provides a secure and fast VPN connection to keep your internet activity private. It offers both a free plan and a Pro subscription with advanced features, all from a nonprofit dedicated to an open internet.

Highlights
  • Secure and private internet connection
  • Host your own VPN server
  • Global network access
  • Open source code
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • Built-in ad blocking (Pro)
  • Unlimited data (Pro)
Features
Read full description

A nonprofit building tools for an open internet We're a nonprofit with one mission: keeping the internet open for everyone, everywhere. We've spent 12 years developing connection technologies in the world's most demanding network environments. Every Pro subscription directly funds access for people who need it most. Most "free" VPNs want your email before you've even tried them. We don't. No account. No credit card. Just download and connect. Your server, your rules Want zero middlemen? Host your own VPN server on infrastructure you control. Your traffic, your hardware, your rules. Setup takes minutes. Or connect through Lantern's global network. Either way, you're in control. Engineered for reliability We've spent 12 years building connection tools for the hardest network conditions on the planet. That work shows up everywhere: more protocols than typical VPNs, smarter routing, fewer dropped connections. When standard approaches don't work, Lantern has alternatives ready. Privacy you can verify • Open source code, publicly available • Strict no-logs policy • Strong encryption on all connections • Nonprofit structure with transparent funding Honest about what VPNs do We don't sell fear. VPNs protect your privacy and help you access the internet freely. No hype. Just protection that works. Pro features • Unlimited data • Connect up to 5 devices • Built-in ad blocking • Premium server access • Private Server hosting at no extra cost Why a nonprofit VPN? We're funded by subscriptions, not by selling data or running ads. We're accountable to our mission, not shareholders. • 12+ years of proven reliability • Tested in demanding environments worldwide • Research-driven development • Community-supported and mission-focused Free plan available Try Lantern without creating an account or entering payment info. Just download and connect. Pro subscriptions unlock unlimited data and directly support accessible internet worldwide. Try the VPN built by a nonprofit that believes in an open, accessible internet for everyone. Terms of Use: https://lantern.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://lantern.io/privacy Service availability may vary by region due to local regulations.

About

nthLink

This application offers secure and private VPN connectivity with strong encryption. It prioritizes user privacy by minimizing data collection and never storing or transmitting sensitive information. Enjoy a stable and reliable internet connection with a simple, one-tap setup.

Highlights
  • Secure and stable VPN connection
  • Strong encryption for data protection
  • Minimal data collection and no logging
  • One-tap setup and automatic connection recovery
  • Enhanced user privacy and security
Features
Read full description

nthLink: Secure and Private VPN Connectivity nthLink is a robust VPN designed to provide a secure and stable connection, even in unreliable network environments, such as those with slow connectivity or frequent errors. Most importantly, it incorporates strong encryption to safeguard users' information. Strong Privacy & Security nthLink client applications prioritize user privacy by minimizing data collection. No sensitive or personal information is stored on user devices, and user data is never transmitted to nthLink servers. Additionally, nthLink does not log traffic patterns that could be used to track personally identifiable information. The client IP addresses are hashed in server security logs, retaining only country-level data to ensure transparency and service reliability. By following a minimal-data approach, nthLink enhances user privacy and security—if we don’t have it, no one can access it. nthLink employs industry-leading encryption to protect user communications, helping prevent unauthorized access and ensuring a private browsing experience. Ease of Use The nthLink mobile app is designed for simplicity. Once installed, it does not require additional setup or registration. Users can secure their internet connection with a single tap, and nthLink’s automatic network discovery and recovery features help maintain a reliable connection.

Screenshots

Lantern4 screens
nthLink4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: nthLink at 4.3 against Lantern's 3.0. nthLink also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (55% vs 23%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Lantern sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. nthLink asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

nthLink holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: nthLink has 1.6K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Lantern's written reviews are positive against 55% of nthLink's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lantern ships an update every 2 months, nthLink monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Lantern versus nthLink: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLanternnthLink
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (5 ratings)4.3 (1.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.7% of reviews55.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings51.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size187 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrave New Software Project, IncnthLink

Customer experience

Lantern

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews330 reviews
Positive22.7%
Neutral10.6%
Negative66.7%

nthLink

All ratings1,628 ratings
Positive79.7%
Neutral4.5%
Negative15.7%
Written reviews334 reviews
Positive55.1%
Neutral8.1%
Negative36.8%

User reviews

Lantern

From 5 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast connection
  • 🔒 Secure and encrypted
  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 💡 Useful for bypassing censorship

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and connection issues
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly
  • 👎 Unreliable and unstable
  • 💸 Paid version doesn't work as expected

nthLink

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and stable connection
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💰 Free to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable connection
  • ⚠️ Stopped working after updates
  • 🔌 High battery consumption
  • 🕰️ Slow speeds

Bugs and requests

Lantern

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • iOS version frequently fails to connect
  • Paid subscription doesn't work on all devices
  • Inconsistent performance across different platforms
  • Confusing or missing in-app settings

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for more devices and platforms
  • Improve customer support and responsiveness
  • Provide better guidance on using the paid version
  • Implement more advanced security and privacy features

nthLink

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Stuck at 10% connection
  • Incompatible with latest iOS/Android versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • More server locations
  • Manual server selection
  • Kill switch
  • Improved compatibility with mobile data

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Lantern

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
  • One Year Plan$48.001 Year
One-time3
  • Lantern Pro: One Month Plan$12.00
  • Lantern Pro: One Year Plan$55.99
  • Lantern Pro: Two Year Plan$100.99
None

nthLink

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lantern free?
Lantern is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is nthLink free?
nthLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lantern or nthLink?
nthLink is rated higher. Lantern averages 3.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while nthLink averages 4.3 from 1.6K ratings.
Do Lantern or nthLink have ads?
Neither Lantern nor nthLink shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lantern or nthLink?
Lantern ships an update every 2 months, and nthLink monthly. Most recently, Lantern was updated on September 22, 2026 and nthLink on September 23, 2026.

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