# Stash vs Spark

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Stash | Spark |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$5.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stash-rule-based-proxy/id1596063349/reviews) | **[4.7 (191 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spark-renpy-novels/id6474479684/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 191 |
| Positive reviews | 61.5% of reviews | **81.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | #28 |
| Size | 142 MB | 633 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.5** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [STASH NETWORKS LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1596063351) | [Devon Lewis](https://appshunter.io/developer/1721718576) |

## What reviewers say

### Stash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stash-rule-based-proxy/id1596063349)

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Paid · Utilities, #26 Top Paid (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Stable and fast connection
- 💡 Comprehensive features
- 🚀 Efficient performance
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Simple and user-friendly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and reconnections
- 🐛 Subscription and activation problems
- 🐛 Unreliable VPN functionality

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spark-renpy-novels/id6474479684)

**Currently charting:** #28 Top Paid · Utilities, #165 Top Paid (US App Store)

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:** Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Sponsor | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Sponsor | $19.99 | per year |
| Small Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 #7 in the App Store charts, and Spark at #28. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*