Comparison

Chute vs crossgfw

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

Head to head
About

Chute

This network toolbox offers advanced proxy capabilities for iOS devices. It supports various proxy protocols and allows for traffic interception and logging. Ideal for power users seeking comprehensive network control.

Highlights
  • Advanced proxy experience on iOS
  • Full DNS and proxy server support
  • Network traffic interception and logging
  • Flexible rule system for traffic routing
  • Supports multiple proxy protocols (HTTP, SOCKS5, Shadowsocks, etc.)
Read full description

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 the whole device is behind the proxy. 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 — reach a node through another node, send a group through one upstream, or set a Front Proxy for every node • Hot reload — edit rules, DNS, and scripts without dropping a connection; on-demand activation and persistence across 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 from a subscription URL, a file, or Wi-Fi • mihomo GEOSITE and GEOIP rules, 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 • 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.

About

crossgfw

This utility allows users to access the internet freely and securely. It supports custom proxy nodes, including OverTLS protocol, and prioritizes user privacy by not saving logs. Enjoy enhanced Wi-Fi security on public hotspots and protect your network IP.

Highlights
  • Add custom proxy nodes
  • OverTLS protocol support
  • Stealth and stable connection
  • No login or registration required
  • Wi-Fi security on public hotspots
  • IP and privacy protection
  • High network speed
Features
Read full description

crossgfw is a proxy tool for you to access internet freely and it's free! Features: - Support users to add proxy nodes by themselves, including OverTLS protocol. - Stealth and stable, no need to log in and register, easy to use - Does not save any user log information - Wi-Fi Security when using Public Hotspots - Protect your network IP and privacy security - Unmatched network speed and performance Terms of Services: https://fspaceinc.com/?p=263 Privacy Policy: https://fspaceinc.com/?p=282 Connect us: openfreeeyes@icloud.com

Screenshots

Chute2 screens
crossgfw3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: crossgfw at 100% against Chute's 20%. crossgfw also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Chute sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. crossgfw asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chute ships an update every 2 months, crossgfw every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Chute versus crossgfw: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChutecrossgfw
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.5 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperS. Smart Rabbit LLCWorld Youth Freedom Federation

Customer experience

Chute

Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

crossgfw

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Chute

One-time1
  • Chute iOS Full Feature$3.99
None

crossgfw

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chute free?
Chute is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is crossgfw free?
crossgfw is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chute or crossgfw have ads?
Neither Chute nor crossgfw shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chute or crossgfw?
Chute ships an update every 2 months, and crossgfw every 9 days. Most recently, Chute was updated on October 20, 2026 and crossgfw on October 8, 2026.

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