Comparison

NetShade vs ProtectShield

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

Head to head
About

NetShade

This application provides a secure and private internet connection using VPN and proxy servers. It allows users to access global content, change their IP address, and protect their online activity with encryption. The service has been a trusted provider since 2004.

Highlights
  • VPN and proxy client
  • Change IP address
  • Access global content
  • Online privacy protection
  • Traffic encryption
  • Manage proxy lists
Features
Read full description

This app is a VPN and proxy client for the NetShade service. Fast and easy to use. Access the world's content through some of the best VPN and proxy servers available. Route your Internet connection through another server to change your IP address. Visit websites from different parts of the world, and protect your privacy online. NetShade has been a trusted service provider since 2004. Using VPN and proxy servers allows you to access overseas web content while traveling. It also helps protect your privacy and anonymity by masking your IP address from the sites you visit. Optional VPN enables strong encryption of all your network traffic, to secure your activity from prying eyes on the network. Subscribers can access all of NetShade's fast, secure proxy and VPN servers around the world. Choose to use a proxy when you need a quick, reliable proxy-backed web connection, or use VPN when you require maximum security. NetShade is a subscription service. With an account, you can use all of NetShade's dedicated proxy and VPN servers, as well as a list of public proxies. You can also manage your own lists of proxies. The NetShade app lets you quickly enable and disable your proxies and switch between them. A free 10 day subscription to the NetShade servers is provided for new users of the app.

About

ProtectShield

This app provides a secure and straightforward VPN experience. It encrypts your internet connection, protecting your data on public Wi-Fi and allowing access to various server locations. Designed for simplicity, it focuses on a clear interface and reliable connection.

Highlights
  • Secure VPN connection
  • Public Wi-Fi protection
  • Access to server locations
  • Manual or auto server selection
  • Subscription restore
  • Simple user interface
Read full description

ProtectShield: VPN helps you secure your internet connection with encrypted VPN access and a simple, focused experience. Use ProtectShield to: - establish a secure VPN connection - protect your connection on public Wi-Fi - access available server locations - choose a server manually or use Auto-Choose - restore your subscription on a new device ProtectShield is designed for people who want a straightforward VPN experience without unnecessary complexity. The app focuses on secure connection access, clear subscription terms, and an easy-to-use interface across supported iPhone devices and iPad compatibility mode. Privacy and data handling: ProtectShield is designed as a privacy-focused VPN service. The app uses limited data necessary to create and manage the VPN connection, verify subscription access, restore purchases, and keep the service working securely. ProtectShield does not use advertising identifiers or cross-app tracking. Subscription information: ProtectShield requires an auto-renewable subscription to access the VPN service. Available subscription options, trial eligibility, billing terms, renewal details, and pricing are shown in the purchase flow before you subscribe. Existing subscribers can restore purchases directly in the app. Features: - Secure VPN connection - Access to available server locations - Public Wi-Fi protection - Simple connection flow - Subscription restore support - Clear privacy and legal access inside the app Important: Trial availability, if offered, is shown in the in-app purchase flow for eligible users. Subscription access renews automatically unless canceled through your Apple account settings. Privacy Policy: https://protectshield.pro/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://protectshield.pro/terms.html

Screenshots

NetShade4 screens
ProtectShield4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: ProtectShield at free with in-app purchases against NetShade's subscription. ProtectShield also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 13 months). NetShade's advantage is ratings volume (177 vs 6) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. NetShade sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and ProtectShield sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NetShade holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NetShade has 177 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NetShade ships an update every 13 months, ProtectShield every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NetShade versus ProtectShield: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNetShadeProtectShield
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (177 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews54.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings177 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB55 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperRayner Software LLCKatana Ltd

Customer experience

NetShade

All ratings177 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral2.3%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive54.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative41.8%

ProtectShield

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

NetShade

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • VPN expired unexpectedly
  • Proxy and socks not working
  • Won't connect to UK
  • UK server disappears
  • Stability problems in new version
Show 5 more
  • VPN connection drops frequently
  • Cannot connect on mobile version
  • Certificate expired error
  • App doesn't work on iPhone 4s
  • Cannot connect on iPhone or iPad

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add an Australian VPN location
  • Improve iOS notifications for VPN drops
  • More server choices
  • Update http pro and socks

ProtectShield

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

NetShade

One-time2
  • Proxy 1 Year$26.99
  • Proxy & VPN 1 Year$59.99
5 purchases

ProtectShield

Subscriptions5
  • Weekly Plan7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$12.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan$12.997 Days
Show 2 more
  • Annual Plan$19.991 Year
  • Annual Plan$29.991 Year

Questions

Is NetShade free?
NetShade is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ProtectShield free?
ProtectShield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NetShade or ProtectShield?
NetShade is rated higher. NetShade averages 4.5 out of 5 from 177 ratings, while ProtectShield averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do NetShade or ProtectShield have ads?
Neither NetShade nor ProtectShield shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NetShade or ProtectShield?
NetShade ships an update every 13 months, and ProtectShield every 4 days. Most recently, NetShade was updated on September 22, 2026 and ProtectShield on September 18, 2026.

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