Spectre VPN vs Desktop Browser
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Spectre VPN
This app provides secure internet access using Shadowsocks and Trojan protocols. It offers strong encryption to protect your privacy from third parties and features an intuitive design for ease of use. It is available for free.
- Shadowsocks and Trojan protocol support
- Strong encryption for privacy
- Lightweight and efficient proxy
- Intuitive and simple design
- Free to use
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A multi-protocol VPN and proxy client for your own servers. Import subscriptions, control traffic with routing rules, and connect from your Home Screen. IMPORT ONCE, KEEP SERVERS TOGETHER Add a server by scanning its QR code, pasting a link, or entering the details yourself. Import subscriptions to manage multiple nodes in one place. Check server latency before choosing a connection. CHOOSE WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR PROXY Use Global mode for proxy routing, or Rule mode to choose which traffic connects directly and which uses your proxy. Edit your own rules or import a rule list from a URL. CONNECT FROM YOUR HOME SCREEN See the active server and connection status in the widget, then use its switch to connect or disconnect. On iOS 18 and later, add Spectre VPN to Control Center for another quick way to control your connection. USE THE PROTOCOL YOUR SERVER NEEDS - Shadowsocks and Trojan - VMess and VLESS - Hysteria2 and TUIC - SOCKS and HTTP For advanced setups, use a complete custom sing-box JSON configuration. The app interface supports 14 languages. BRING YOUR OWN SERVER Spectre does not include VPN servers or sell VPN service subscriptions. A compatible server configuration or subscription link is required.
Desktop Browser
Experience a full desktop web on your mobile device. This browser simulates a large, resizable screen to display desktop versions of websites, avoiding mobile-optimized layouts. Enjoy features like zoom control, full-screen mode, and privacy-focused data collection.
- Desktop website rendering
- Zoomable screen (1x-3x)
- Full screen mode
- Portrait/landscape transitions
- Favorites management
- UI customization
- Multiple tabs (Pro)
- Theme customization (Pro)
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Zoomable is a browser that provides a full desktop web experience. It simulates a large and resizable screen and shows the desktop version of websites, so you can stay away from those bad mobile web experiences. • Zoom freely between 1x and 3x. • Seamless transitions between portrait and landscape mode. • Supports full screen mode. • Save and manage favorites. • Lightning fast and super small install size. • Supports UI customization for both portrait and landscape mode. • Respects user privacy; the app only collects anonymous diagnostic data unrelated to browsing, and you can opt out. • [Pro] Multiple tabs. • [Pro] Customize themes. The app is designed for everyone, it works great with many websites. However, it is particularly useful for developers. For example, accessing App Store Connect and Firebase Console works great in this app because of the screen scale feature.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Desktop Browser at 4.5 against Spectre VPN's 3.9. Desktop Browser also leads on ratings volume (3.9K vs 249) and chart position (#30 vs #92). Spectre VPN's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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. Desktop Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Spectre VPN asks for nothing beyond the download.
Desktop Browser holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Desktop Browser has 3.9K ratings behind it against 249, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Spectre VPN's written reviews are positive against 65% of Desktop Browser's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Spectre VPN ships an update every 2 weeks, Desktop Browser monthly. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.
| Parameter | Spectre VPN | Desktop Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (249 ratings) | 4.5 (3.9K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.1% of reviews — better | 64.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 249 | 3.9K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #92 | #30 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 136 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Passion Only | Actowise LLC |
Customer experience
Spectre VPN
Desktop Browser
User reviews
Spectre VPN
From 249 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Reliable and efficient app
- 🚀 Smooth and fast performance
- 🔒 Secure and trustworthy
- 💡 Lightweight and easy to use
Room to improve
- 🐛 Video loading issues
- 🐛 Connectivity problems after updates
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and timeouts
- 🔋 High battery consumption
Desktop Browser
From 3.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 👍 Intuitive user interface
- 🔍 Effective desktop mode
- 💡 Useful zoom feature
- 🔒 Secure browsing
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and reloads
- 🔍 Inconsistent desktop mode performance
- 📱 Incompatible with some mobile apps
- 💸 Paid version required for full functionality
- 🔌 High battery consumption
Bugs and requests
Spectre VPN
Reported bugs
2 issues- Crashes on iOS 12.5.5 and older
- Incompatibility with certain devices and OS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Support for more protocols (e.g., VMess, VLESS, SSTP)
- Server sorting by ping/latency
- Websocket connection support
- Manual server configuration
- Multiple server import from clipboard
Desktop Browser
Reported bugs
4 issues- Issues connecting to local IP addresses
- Inability to use Google account login
- Blank pages when resizing or zooming
- Redirects to search engine instead of desired site
Requested features
5 requests- Add ad-blocking capabilities
- Implement local network access
- Allow setting as default browser
- Introduce a virtual trackpad mode
- Improve bookmark management
In-app purchases
Spectre VPN
No in-app purchases
Desktop Browser
- 2 Extra Tabs$2.99
- Pro Lifetime$9.99
- Pro Lifetime$14.99
