# Cipher VPN vs Spark VPN

The clearest difference is monetization model: Cipher VPN at freemium against Spark VPN's subscription. Cipher VPN also leads on rating (3.9 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). Spark VPN's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cipher VPN sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Spark VPN sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cipher VPN holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 888 and 295 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Cipher VPN's written reviews are positive against 28% of Spark VPN's.

Cipher VPN ships an update every 5 days, Spark VPN every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cipher VPN | Spark VPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (888 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cipher-vpn-proxy-master/id1553775977/reviews)** | [3.6 (295 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spark-vpn/id1658966846/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **888** | 295 |
| Positive reviews | **40.4% of reviews** | 27.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Subscription |
| Size | 28 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BelTopCompany EST OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553775979) | [Ab DECKOM Oy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1658966848) |

## What reviewers say

### Cipher VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cipher-vpn-proxy-master/id1553775977)

Secure your online activity and browse privately with a fast, one-touch VPN connection. Protect your personal data on public Wi-Fi and block ads and trackers for a safer, faster browsing experience.

**Highlights:** Fast and reliable VPN connection, Anonymous web browsing, One-touch connection, Data protection on public Wi-Fi, AdBlocker for malware and trackers, Increased page loading speed

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Discount Weekly Plan | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Discount Weekly Trial Plan | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Discount Monthly Plan | $12.49 | per month |
| Yearly offer with discount | $21.00 | per year |
| Monthly Subscription | $24.99 | per month |
| Discount Yearly Trial Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $69.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good app
- 🚀 Nice apps
- 👍 Great helpful app
- 👍 Excellent
- 👍 Love it ❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Ugh, took my money, want a refund
- 💰 Got scammed, charged for free trial
- 💰 Too expensive, can't afford it
- 💰 Worst, want to report it
- 🔒 Unsubscribing seems impossible

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Everything showing up in a different language

**Requested features**

- Remove something and put it free pls
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard


### Spark VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spark-vpn/id1658966846)

Browse the internet anonymously and securely from any location. Protect your personal information and credit card details when using public Wi-Fi. Enjoy an ad-free browsing experience with blocked banners and pop-ups, saving data and time.

**Highlights:** Anonymous internet browsing, Secure public Wi-Fi connections, Ad blocking, Web tracker blocking, In-app tracker blocking, Adult site blocking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly subscription with trial | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| 1 Month with trial | $14.99 | per month |
| Yearly subscription with trial | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription with trial | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription | $59.99 | per year |
| 1 Year subscription | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient and understandable interface
- 🚀 Excellent speed and fast connection
- ✅ Secure and encrypted internet browsing
- 👍 Blocks ads well
- 👍 Efficient VPN

**What reviewers complain about**

- F Very poor quality
- 🐛 Does not work
- 💸 Expensive and doesn't work
- 🐛 Cannot cancel subscription
- 💸 Too expensive

**Reported bugs**

- Free trial does not work
- App doesn't do anything
- Cannot stop subscription
- Charged for cancelled subscription
- Faulty app

**Requested features**

- Make the app free
- Make the app for 18+
- Allow easier cancellation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cipher VPN free?

Cipher VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Spark VPN free?

Spark VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cipher VPN or Spark VPN?

Cipher VPN is rated higher. Cipher VPN averages 3.9 out of 5 from 888 ratings, while Spark VPN averages 3.6 from 295 ratings.

### Do Cipher VPN or Spark VPN have ads?

Neither Cipher VPN nor Spark VPN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cipher VPN or Spark VPN?

Cipher VPN ships an update every 5 days, and Spark VPN every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cipher VPN was updated on September 21, 2026 and Spark VPN on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*