Comparison

Stash vs Spark

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

Head to head
About

Stash

This app is a powerful rule-based proxy client for iOS, offering advanced network management. It supports multiple proxy protocols and features like JavaScript rewriting, MitM decryption, and on-demand connections. Easily route traffic based on domain, IP, or User-Agent for enhanced network control.

Highlights
  • Rule-based proxy client
  • Multiple proxy protocol support
  • JavaScript rewriting
  • Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) decryption
  • SSID Policy Groups
  • On-Demand Connections
  • Native UI dashboard
Features
Read full description

Stash is the best choice for Clash rules on iOS! Full adaptation of Clash Premium configuration.  Stash is a rule-based proxy client with multiple proxy protocol support. Support for Rule Set, JavaScript, HTTP Rewriting, MitM, SSID Policy Groups, On-Demand Connections and other new features. - Handle TCP / UDP / ICMP traffic and forward to any proxy server - Route traffic to different endpoint by rule of domain, IP-CIDR, or User-Agent - Support DNS over TCP / DNS over TLS / DNS over HTTPS - Native UI dashboard to display HTTP / HTTPS / TCP request - Support for Rewriting HTTP(S) requests using JavaScript - Decrypt HTTPS traffic with Man-in-the-Middle - Support for URL Rewrite - Fully IPv6 supports - Builtin DNS server with hostname mapping - Support for overriding some of the settings of the current configuration file using Override

About

Spark

This utility helps you organize, launch, and manage your Ren'Py visual novels. It offers tailored compatibility with various engine versions, powerful save management, and tools to enhance your reading experience, like a gallery viewer and variable editor.

Highlights
  • Launch and play Ren'Py visual novels
  • Select specific Ren'Py engine versions
  • Manage and backup/restore game saves
  • Organize and rename novel titles
  • Import novels from various file formats
  • Browse game assets and edit variables
  • On-device translation for foreign titles
Features
Read full description

Spark: The Essential Tool for Managing Ren'Py Visual Novels Spark is an independent utility for organizing and launching Ren'Py visual novels. It is not affiliated with or supported by the official Ren'Py project. For any issues with this app, please contact Spark support, not the Ren'Py team. Launch and Play Your Novels with Ease Import and start your favorite Ren'Py visual novels directly in Spark. Once added, your titles are ready to launch with a tap, so you can focus on reading and playing instead of manual setup. Tailored Compatibility for Each Novel Choose from multiple Ren'Py engine versions to match your novel and improve stability: 8.x: 8.5.2, 8.5.0, 8.4.1, 8.3.7, 8.3.4, 8.2.3, 8.1.3, 8.0.3 7.x: 7.8.8, 7.8.4, 7.7.3, 7.6.3, 7.5.3, 7.4.11 Per-novel configuration lets you: - Select the best Ren'Py version for each title - Fine-tune settings to improve quality of life. - Improve performance on complex or older games Note: Performance and compatibility vary by novel. Older titles or very large games may contain bugs or fail to run. Smaller devices can experience rendering issues. Some novels may not work at all, though we strive to support as many as possible. Powerful Save Management Take full control of your progress across all novels: - View all saves in one place instead of hunting through folders - Backup saves before big choices or endings so you can revisit them anytime - Restore old saves if something breaks or you want to replay a specific branch - Import saves from other devices and delete unwanted saves to keep things tidy Organize Your Entire Library Keep your Ren'Py collection clean and easy to navigate: - See all installed novels at a glance - Rename titles to match your personal library style - Manage multiple versions of the same novel, such as different language patches or updated builds Flexible Novel Import Add new novels from a variety of common formats: - Import from zip, apk, 7z, tar, or rar files - Quickly bring in titles from backups, downloads, or other devices Once imported, novels become part of your Spark library with version and save management ready to use. Ren'Py-Specific Tools and Enhancements Dig deeper into your visual novels with advanced utilities: Gallery Viewer - Browse novel assets directly inside Spark - Inspect images and other media used by the game Variable Editor - View and edit game variables while playing - Skip grinding, fix bugged flags, or jump to specific routes by adjusting in-game values On-Device Translation - Translate novels using Apple’s on-device translation system - Make foreign-language titles more approachable without leaving the app - Keep translations private and fast by staying on your device Your Gateway to the Ren'Py Visual Novel Universe While Spark is not affiliated with Ren'Py, it is designed as a powerful companion for players who want full control over how they install, launch, customize, and maintain their Ren'Py visual novels in one place. Additional Licensing Information Ren'Py includes free software licensed under various terms, including the GNU Lesser General Public License. For a complete list of included software and license details, please visit the official Ren'Py website. Terms of Use https://spark.devl.ai/reference/terms/

Screenshots

Stash4 screens
Spark4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stash at none against Spark's 5. Stash also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 191). Spark's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (81% vs 62%). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Stash costs $5.99 and Spark $6.99 up front. Spark sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Stash asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spark holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stash has 1.2K ratings behind it against 191, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Stash's written reviews are positive against 81% of Spark's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stash ships an update every 2 weeks, Spark monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Stash versus Spark: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStashSpark
Price$5.99 — better$6.99
Rating4.4 (1.2K ratings)4.7 (191 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.5% of reviews81.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better191
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#8 — better#26
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size142 MB633 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSTASH NETWORKS LIMITEDDevon Lewis

Customer experience

Stash

All ratings1,240 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral5.1%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews356 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral12.4%
Negative26.1%

Spark

All ratings191 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.6%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral6.7%
Negative11.9%

Bugs and requests

Stash

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Corrupt VPN profile detection
  • Inability to remember last used proxy mode
  • Incompatibility with some subscription links
  • Lack of support for certain protocols (e.g., vless, mkcp)
  • Automatic mode switching issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Support for latest protocols (e.g., reality, hysteria2)
  • Customizable VPN profiles and settings
  • Improved widget functionality
  • Automatic reconnection on sleep/wake
  • Detailed network usage statistics

Spark

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Stash

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Spark

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Sponsor$5.991 Month
  • Yearly Sponsor$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • Small Tip$2.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99

Questions

Is Stash free?
Stash costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spark free?
Spark costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Stash or Spark?
Spark is rated higher. Stash averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Spark averages 4.7 from 191 ratings.
Do Stash or Spark have ads?
Neither Stash nor Spark shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stash or Spark?
Stash ships an update every 2 weeks, and Spark monthly. Most recently, Stash was updated on October 18, 2026 and Spark on October 14, 2026.
Which is more popular, Stash or Spark?
Stash currently peaks at #8 in the App Store charts, and Spark at #26. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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