Lantern vs nthLink
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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)
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Lantern sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. nthLink asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
Lantern ships an update every 2 months, nthLink monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Lantern | nthLink |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (5 ratings) | 4.3 (1.6K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.7% of reviews | 55.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 1.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 187 MB | 35 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brave New Software Project, Inc | nthLink |
Customer experience
Lantern
nthLink
User reviews
Lantern
From 5 App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
Lantern
- Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
- One Year Plan$48.001 Year
- Lantern Pro: One Month Plan$12.00
- Lantern Pro: One Year Plan$55.99
- Lantern Pro: Two Year Plan$100.99
nthLink
No in-app purchases









