Chute vs OutLink
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chute
This app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a comprehensive network workstation. It functions as a rule-based proxy, an HTTPS debugging tool, and a full DNS stack, allowing you to inspect, route, rewrite, or block network connections with custom rules.
- System-wide proxy with virtual interface
- Support for 17 proxy protocols
- 27 rule types for traffic control
- Multiple policy group options
- Modern DNS with various resolvers
- Traffic inspection and HTTPS decryption
- JavaScript scripting for custom tasks
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Chute turns your iPhone and iPad into a complete network workstation: a rule-based proxy client, an HTTPS debugging proxy, and a full DNS stack — all running on a network engine written from scratch for Apple platforms. Switch it on and every connection your apps make can be inspected, routed, rewritten, or blocked by your rules. SYSTEM-WIDE PROXY • Chute VIF — a transparent virtual interface on a custom TCP/IP stack, no per-app setup • Local HTTP and SOCKS5 servers for other devices on your network • Proxy chaining — a node through another node, a group through one upstream, or one Front Proxy for every node • Hot reload — edit rules, DNS, and scripts without dropping a connection; on-demand start that survives reboots 17 PROXY PROTOCOLS HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, SOCKS5 over TLS, Shadowsocks (AEAD, AEGIS, and 2022), ShadowsocksR, VMess, VLESS, Trojan, TUIC v5, Hysteria2, WireGuard, AmneziaWG, AnyTLS, ShadowTLS, MASQUE, and SSH tunneling — plus a built-in Tailscale client. Transport and TLS: XTLS Vision, REALITY, XHTTP, uTLS fingerprints, ECH, X25519MLKEM768 post-quantum exchange, UDP for VMess, VLESS, and Shadowsocks. 27 RULE TYPES • DOMAIN, DOMAIN-SUFFIX, DOMAIN-KEYWORD, DOMAIN-WILDCARD, DOMAIN-REGEX • IP-CIDR / IP-CIDR6, GEOIP, IP-ASN, SUBNET — by Wi-Fi SSID, BSSID, or router • SRC-IP, SRC-PORT, DEST-PORT, IN-PORT, IN-TYPE, IN-USER, IN-NAME, with port ranges • USER-AGENT, URL-REGEX, PROTOCOL, HOSTNAME-TYPE, AND / OR / NOT • RULE-SET, DOMAIN-SET, and inline rule sets, with remote subscriptions • SCRIPT, and FINAL as the catch-all POLICY GROUPS • URL-Test — always ride the lowest-latency node • Fallback — automatic failover when a node degrades • Load Balance — round-robin, consistent hash, or sticky sessions • Relay — chain the members in order, traffic leaving from the last one • Random — a different member per connection • SSID — switch policy automatically per Wi-Fi network • Select — take the wheel whenever you want it MODERN DNS • DoH, DoH3, DoQ, DoT, and plain DNS — a different resolver per domain if you want • Dedicated pools: one for DIRECT traffic, one for your servers' names, one as fallback • Fake IP, EDNS Client Subnet, negative caching, custom hosts, and query logs TRAFFIC INSPECTION • Capture HTTP, HTTPS, and DNS live, headers and bodies included • HTTPS decryption scoped to the hosts and paths you choose, with HTTP/2 and QUIC blocking • URL rewrite, header rewrite, and JSONPath or jq body rewrite • Local mock responses for offline work and edge cases • Real-time throughput charts, per-connection detail, and accounting SCRIPTING • A JavaScript engine for requests, responses, DNS resolution, and scheduled tasks • A persistent store, an HTTP client, and notification APIs; Modules package rules, rewrites, and scripts into one file BRING YOUR EXISTING SETUP • Import Clash and sing-box profiles, share links, and node lists by URL, file, clipboard, or Wi-Fi • mihomo GEOSITE, GEOIP, SUB-RULE, and detour / dialer-proxy import as working rules and chains • Pair with Chute Dashboard, a free Mac app, to inspect iPhone traffic over Wi-Fi or USB BUILT FOR DAILY USE • Adapts to the foldable iPhone, folded or open • Home Screen widget, Control Center control, and a Notification Center toggle • Face ID / Touch ID lock • Picture in Picture traffic monitor FREE AND PAID The proxy engine, the rule engine, the DNS stack, the web console, the HTTP API, and the dashboard are free with one configuration. A one-time purchase — no subscription — adds multiple switchable configurations, iCloud sync, HTTPS decryption, traffic recording for Chute Dashboard, local server control, Picture in Picture, and Always On. One purchase covers up to 3 iPhone or iPad devices and 3 Apple TV devices. Chute does not operate proxy servers and provides no network access on its own — bring your own server or a service you already use. Traffic and logs stay on your device. Chute collects no browsing data and sells nothing to anyone.
OutLink
This network proxy tool offers a secure and powerful way to connect to trusted servers, safeguarding your user data. It provides a simple yet effective solution for enhanced online privacy and security.
- Secure network proxy
- Protect user data
- Trusted server connection
- Fast and reliable
- Enhanced online privacy
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Outlink is a native cross-platform proxy client for macOS and iOS, featuring 14+ proxy protocols and an exclusive P2P Overlay LAN — connect your devices into an encrypted private network across any network boundary. ■ Full Protocol Support Shadowsocks, VMess, VLESS, Trojan, TUIC, Hysteria, Hysteria 2, WireGuard (with AmneziaWG), SOCKS5, HTTP/HTTPS, plus cutting-edge protocols like AnyTLS, Masque, Mieru, and Sudoku — all in one app. ■ P2P Overlay LAN (Exclusive) An end-to-end encrypted virtual LAN built on WebRTC DataChannel. Your iPhone and Mac can communicate as if on the same local network — remote desktop, file sharing, LAN gaming, all without network boundaries. ■ Hybrid Mode Run proxy and overlay LAN simultaneously — browse freely while maintaining your private device network. ■ Remote Device Control Manage VPN on your other devices right from the app: start proxy, join LAN, activate hybrid mode, or wake sleeping devices. ■ Real-time Traffic Monitor Live upload/download speeds, active connection count, and per-connection details (domain, IP, protocol) at a glance. ■ Advanced Networking · TLS 1.3 / ECH Encrypted Client Hello / Reality concealment · WebSocket / HTTP/2 / gRPC / QUIC transports · SMUX multiplexing with Brutal congestion control · TCP Fast Open / Multipath TCP · IPv4 / IPv6 selection · GeoIP and custom rule-based routing ■ Native Experience macOS menu bar controls, sidebar navigation, launch at login; iOS tab bar with system-level VPN integration. One solution, all Apple platforms. ■ Premium Subscription Monthly, quarterly, and annual plans unlock curated proxy lines and additional device quotas. · Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase · Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period · Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period · Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off in Account Settings Privacy Policy: https://violet.playstone.info/privacypolicy.html Terms of Use: https://violet.playstone.info/termsofuse.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: OutLink at 67% against Chute's 20%. Chute's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Chute sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and OutLink sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Chute ships an update every 2 months, OutLink every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | Chute | OutLink |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.5 (22 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 22 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, Mac, Apple TV |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 186 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | S. Smart Rabbit LLC | PLAYSTONE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LIMITED |
Customer experience
Chute
OutLink
In-app purchases
Chute
- Chute iOS Full Feature$5.99
OutLink
- Premium Membership Monthly$1.991 Month
- Premium Membership Quarterly7 Days trial$3.993 Months
- Premium Membership Annual7 Days trial$14.991 Year







