# GWCL vs VirtualShield VPN

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GWCL at none against VirtualShield VPN's 4. GWCL also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 32%) and rating (3.7 vs 3.4). VirtualShield VPN's advantage is ratings volume (107 vs 19). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VirtualShield VPN sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. GWCL asks for nothing beyond the download.

GWCL holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VirtualShield VPN has 107 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of GWCL's written reviews are positive against 32% of VirtualShield VPN's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GWCL | VirtualShield VPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gwcl/id1568116192/reviews)** | [3.4 (107 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtualshield-vpn/id1579077161/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **107** |
| Positive reviews | **60.0% of reviews** | 31.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 46 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Afrifanom Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1264105247) | [VirtualShield, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1246447878) |

## What reviewers say

### GWCL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gwcl/id1568116192)

This app allows customers of Ghana Water Company Limited to manage their accounts and pay bills conveniently. Users can view transaction history and make payments anytime, anywhere using mobile money options.

**Highlights:** Bill payment, Account management, Transaction history, Mobile money integration, Self-service portal

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### VirtualShield VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtualshield-vpn/id1579077161)

Browse the internet securely and privately with military-grade encryption and a strict no-log policy. Enjoy fast, unlimited bandwidth for seamless online activity. Simply download, log in, and connect for instant privacy and security.

**Highlights:** Military-grade encryption, Strict no-log policy, Unlimited bandwidth, Fast VPN speeds, Simple to use interface, Global network access

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VPN Personal (Monthly) | $12.99 | per month |
| VPN Family (Monthly) | $29.99 | per month |
| VPN Personal (Annual) | $107.99 | per year |
| VPN Family (Annual) | $299.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful and patient customer service (sometimes)
- 🚀 Fast and reliable connection (when it works)
- 🔒 Keeps information safe
- 💰 Good price (for some)
- 🔄 New updates fix issues

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Difficult to unsubscribe/cancel
- 🐛 App frequently disconnects/stops working
- 🐌 Slow internet connection
- 📱 Phone becomes unusable when VPN is on
- 💸 Charged after cancellation requests

**Reported bugs**

- App locks up regularly
- Phone becomes a useless brick without VPN
- Internet won't work at all
- App only works sometimes
- Doesn't work with older computers

**Requested features**

- Allow landscape mode on iPad
- Improve compatibility with Apple devices
- Provide renewal reminders
- Make cancellation process easier
- Address data collection concerns


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GWCL free?

GWCL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VirtualShield VPN free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GWCL or VirtualShield VPN?

GWCL is rated higher. GWCL averages 3.7 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while VirtualShield VPN averages 3.4 from 107 ratings.

### Do GWCL or VirtualShield VPN have ads?

Neither GWCL nor VirtualShield VPN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GWCL or VirtualShield VPN?

GWCL ships an update every 2 months, and VirtualShield VPN every 2 months. Most recently, GWCL was updated on September 3, 2026 and VirtualShield VPN on September 11, 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.*