Comparison

Orbot vs MugBar

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

MugBar

Features
Read full description

MugBar is the most complete app for your smart mug. Live temperature and one-tap targets on your Home Screen, your Lock Screen, the Dynamic Island, Control Center, your Apple Watch, and Siri. Not a thermometer you have to open an app to read: your mug, on every screen you already look at. EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK - Home Screen widgets with the live temperature - Lock Screen widgets, circular and rectangular - A presets widget that switches targets without opening the app - Live Activity and Dynamic Island while your drink settles - Control Center buttons to open MugBar or start a Live Activity - An alert when you hit target, and before the battery runs out mid-cup ON YOUR WRIST - A full Apple Watch app, not a remote: temperature, ready-in estimate, target, presets, and LED color - Everything carries over from your iPhone automatically ONE-TAP PRESETS - Save your own targets: Espresso, Latte, Green tea, whatever you drink - Each preset gets its own icon and color - Tap one and MugBar sets the mug, and can match its LED ring to the preset - Pick a preset away from your mug and it applies on the next connection SIRI AND SHORTCUTS - "Check my mug" - "Set my mug to 55 degrees" - "Set my mug to Espresso" - Build your own automations in the Shortcuts app FULL CONTROL - Set the target temperature from the app, a widget, your watch, or Siri - Change the mug's LED ring color and rename it - Battery level and charging status at a glance READY WHEN YOU ARE - Pour a fresh cup and MugBar estimates when it will hit your target - A real countdown, not a number you have to watch - When your mug is holding at target, it simply says Ready - The countdown is already on your Lock Screen the moment you pour, no app to open, no button to press PRIVATE BY DESIGN - Talks to your mug directly over Bluetooth - No account, no tracking, no data collected MugBar works with the Ember(R) Mug. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Ember Technologies, Inc. "Ember" is a trademark of its respective owner and is used only to describe hardware compatibility.

Screenshots

Orbot4 screens
MugBar3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Orbot at none against MugBar's 2. Orbot also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). MugBar's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price, ads and device support 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. MugBar sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Orbot asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Orbot ships an update monthly, MugBar every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Orbot versus MugBar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbotMugBar
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (970 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings970 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Tor ProjectJonathan Santerre

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

MugBar

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Orbot

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

MugBar

Subscriptions2
  • MugBar mensuel7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • MugBar annuel7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Orbot free?
Orbot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MugBar free?
MugBar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Orbot or MugBar have ads?
Neither Orbot nor MugBar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Orbot or MugBar?
Orbot ships an update monthly, and MugBar every 10 days. Most recently, Orbot was updated on October 9, 2026 and MugBar on October 2, 2026.

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