Comparison

Orbot vs SmartCTO

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

SmartCTO

Features
Read full description

Bem-vindo ao Smart CTO, a solução definitiva para o gerenciamento de redes ópticas e equipes de campo! Desenvolvido para provedores de internet e técnicos que buscam eficiência, o Smart CTO permite o gerenciamento completo de Caixas de Terminação Óptica (CTOs) e o cadastro simplificado de novos clientes diretamente da rua, sem precisar depender de suporte interno. **Principais Funcionalidades:** **Mapa Interativo e Geolocalização** Visualize facilmente as CTOs da sua região através de um mapa interativo. Veja a localização exata, saiba instantaneamente a porcentagem de ocupação de cada caixa por cores e seja guiado diretamente ao equipamento. **Gerenciamento de Clientes e Portas** Acompanhe os clientes associados a cada porta da CTO, gerencie o nível de sinal em tempo real e edite informações com facilidade para garantir que a rede esteja sempre otimizada e dentro dos parâmetros ideais. **Leitor de QR Code / Código de Barras** Chega de digitar números de série manualmente! Utilize a câmera do seu dispositivo para escanear a MAC ou serial da ONU e faça a associação do cliente de forma rápida e à prova de erros. **Fluxo de Ativação Automatizado** Cadastre novos clientes na hora, verifique portas disponíveis, associe a ONU e deixe o equipamento ativo e provisionado (quando integrado à OLT compatível) com poucos cliques no celular. O Smart CTO traz agilidade, redução de erros e autonomia para o seu time de campo. Tudo isso através de uma interface moderna, leve e orientada pela facilidade de uso. *Nota: O uso deste aplicativo requer credenciais de acesso fornecidas pelo seu provedor de internet (ISP) ou administrador da rede.*

Screenshots

Orbot4 screens
SmartCTO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SmartCTO at every 9 days against Orbot's monthly. Orbot's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Orbot ships an update monthly, SmartCTO every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Orbot versus SmartCTO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbotSmartCTO
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (951 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings951 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size115 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Tor ProjectFrancisco Cardoso

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

SmartCTO

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Orbot

No in-app purchases

None

SmartCTO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Orbot free?
Orbot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmartCTO free?
SmartCTO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Orbot or SmartCTO have ads?
Neither Orbot nor SmartCTO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Orbot or SmartCTO?
Orbot ships an update monthly, and SmartCTO every 9 days. Most recently, Orbot was updated on October 1, 2026 and SmartCTO on September 18, 2026.

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