Comparison

Orbot vs Sweepline

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

Head to head
About

Orbot

This app provides a free and open-source Tor-powered VPN for enhanced internet safety and privacy. It allows users to browse the web over Tor, secure their traffic, and access .onion sites. While it offers increased privacy, users should be aware that browsing speeds may be slower than a standard VPN.

Highlights
  • Browse internet over Tor
  • Secure traffic from insecure networks
  • Access .onion sites
  • Free and open-source
Features
Read full description

Orbot is the original free and open-source Tor-powered VPN for iOS and macOS. Orbot helps you access the internet with more safety and privacy, and no extra cost to you. FEATURES: - Browse the internet over Tor. - Secure your traffic from insecure wireless networks and ISPs. - Access .onion sites that are only accessible over Tor. DISCLAIMERS: - Web browsing is much slower than through a normal VPN because your traffic is encrypted and relayed through the Tor network. - Orbot might not work on networks with advanced network restrictions. If the app does not connect, try using bridges (or a different type of bridge). - Use of Orbot is at your own risk; remember that sensitive data does not always belong on a mobile device. ** Orbot is free and open-source software. You can read more about Orbot and how to support development of Tor on iOS by visiting orbot.app **

About

Sweepline

This app allows users to send signal events using gestures to connected servers. It facilitates team communication and triggers actions on connected systems, offering a minimalist approach to device and system interaction without social networking features.

Highlights
  • Gesture-based event sending
  • Connects to user-controlled servers
  • Haptic and visual confirmation
  • Trigger physical systems
  • Signed messages for verification
  • Minimalist, utility-focused design
Features
Read full description

Sweepline is a gesture-based dispatch tool for people, spaces, and systems. Connect to a server you run at home — or one shared by friends or family — then send signal events with directional sweeps or taps. These simple gesture can acknowledge a request, unlock a workflow, hand off responsibility, or trigger a physical system connected to the saved endpoint. Sweepline is intentionally small — like a Unix utility for your fingers. There is no feed, profile system, or social network. The app enables team communication, but does not offer direct messages or require logging into a centralized service. Sweepline does its best remembering ed25519 private keys, speaking http, and getting out of the way. Endpoint servers (anyone can make these) define their own meaning: • a swipe might open a door • dispense candy from a gumball machine • turn on the lights • acknowledge a request • dispatch assistance • mark a work zone active • start workflows in systems you already use Messages are signed by default using per-service cryptographic keys so endpoint operators can verify where events came from. If you're developing your own service, you can ignore these signatures while prototyping and later lock it down by recognizing signatures from trusted devices only. This is how you make sure only you or people you authorize are allowed to operate your service. Sweepline works well with: • self-hosted servers • Raspberry Pi projects • volunteer shift tracking and informal help requests • pickup sports availability and score tracking • formal or informal clock-in/clock-out • maker-space infrastructure • studio and workshop lighting and controls • interactive art installations The protocol is intentionally small and open. The goal is deliberate, low-friction signaling across independent systems. Sweepline carries the gesture. Endpoints make the move.

Screenshots

Orbot4 screens
Sweepline4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sweepline at 5.0 against Orbot's 3.0. Sweepline also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Orbot's advantage is ratings volume (971 vs 2) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sweepline holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Orbot has 971 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Orbot ships an update monthly, Sweepline weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Orbot versus Sweepline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbotSweepline
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (971 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings971 — better2
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB15 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperThe Tor ProjectChristopher Weems

Customer experience

Orbot

All ratings971 ratings
Positive47.4%
Neutral6.0%
Negative46.7%
Written reviews473 reviews
Positive25.4%
Neutral7.2%
Negative67.4%

Sweepline

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Orbot

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Fails to connect at 50% or gets stuck in a connection loop
  • Causes Wi-Fi or mobile data connection issues
  • Randomly disconnects without warning
  • Onion Browser integration is unreliable

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add manual bridge configuration options
  • Implement a kill switch to block internet access when VPN disconnects
  • Improve compatibility with other iOS apps and services
  • Provide more detailed connection logs and diagnostics

Sweepline

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Orbot

No in-app purchases

None

Sweepline

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Orbot free?
Orbot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sweepline free?
Sweepline is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Orbot or Sweepline?
Sweepline is rated higher. Orbot averages 3.0 out of 5 from 971 ratings, while Sweepline averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Orbot or Sweepline have ads?
Neither Orbot nor Sweepline shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Orbot or Sweepline?
Orbot ships an update monthly, and Sweepline weekly. Most recently, Orbot was updated on October 21, 2026 and Sweepline on October 16, 2026.

Other comparisons