Comparison

Lantern vs True Collab

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ€” 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 โ€ข Open source code, publicly available โ€ข Strict no-logs policy โ€ข Strong encryption on all connections โ€ข 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 โ€ข Unlimited data โ€ข Connect up to 5 devices โ€ข Built-in ad blocking โ€ข Premium server access โ€ข 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. โ€ข 12+ years of proven reliability โ€ข Tested in demanding environments worldwide โ€ข Research-driven development โ€ข 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

True Collab

Features
Read full description

True Collab is an online meeting platform that connects you to your colleagues and friends, enabling enterprise-class collaboration from any device while maintaining industry-standard encryption and privacy. Our in-depth personalization offerings mean your collaborative environment can be modified to suit you. True Collab's high-definition audio and video will make you feel like you're all sitting in the same room. Features Include: Conference Calls: โ— Conduct conference calls with up to 400 callers โ— Schedule calls on the go or start a call on-the-fly with the click of a button โ— Invite participants from your integrated address book โ— Accommodate callers around the world with the new Time Zone feature โ— Add an agenda so that callers know what topics youโ€™ll be covering โ— Hold regular meetings? Create recurring calls with just a few clicks โ— International numbers connect you to participants around the world โ— Download-free video & screen sharing Online Meetings: โ— See thumbnails of participants, and who exactly is speaking โ— View callers logged in via webcam โ— Video screen share with other attendees during any online meetings. โ— View shared files and documents โ— Download files uploaded to the Chat window โ— Mute and add/remove participants from within your call โ— Use text chat, take notes and save for later in your call history โ— Initiate recording from within the app Meeting History: โ— View your call history including conference stats โ— Listen to or download your conference recordings โ— View/edit upcoming calls โ— Update your contact information โ— Manage your account settings Say Goodbye to: โ— Call reservations - schedule in advance or on demand! โ— Confusing star commands - use your personal meeting room and enjoy visual call controls!

Screenshots

Lantern4 screens
True Collab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: True Collab at none against Lantern's 5. True Collab also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lantern ships an update every 6 weeks, True Collab fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
Lantern versus True Collab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLanternTrue Collab
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews22.9% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size194 MB177 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrave New Software Project, IncTrue IP Solutions

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

True Collab

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

True Collab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lantern free?
Lantern is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is True Collab free?
True Collab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lantern or True Collab have ads?
Neither Lantern nor True Collab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lantern or True Collab?
Lantern ships an update every 6 weeks, and True Collab fortnightly. Most recently, Lantern was updated on October 20, 2026 and True Collab on October 7, 2026.

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