# SafeShell VPN vs Stepwise

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stepwise at none against SafeShell VPN's 10. Stepwise also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). SafeShell VPN's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months) and device support (6 vs 3). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SafeShell VPN sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Stepwise asks for nothing beyond the download.

SafeShell VPN ships an update every 2 weeks, Stepwise every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SafeShell VPN | Stepwise |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safeshell-vpn-fast-and-secure/id6445987502/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.1K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 38.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 81 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GearUP Portal PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653711154) | [Mustafa Fenerci](https://appshunter.io/developer/1759736870) |

## What reviewers say

### SafeShell VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safeshell-vpn-fast-and-secure/id6445987502)

This app offers unlimited, high-speed VPN access with a secure global network. It features exclusive App Mode for connecting different applications to various regions simultaneously, enhancing privacy and online freedom. It also includes subtitle translation and optimized gaming routes.

**Highlights:** Unlimited high-speed VPN access, App Mode for multi-region connections, Game Mode for optimized gaming, Subtitle translation in 30+ languages, Hidden IP for anonymity, Public Wi-Fi protection, Zero logs policy

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1-Week VIP Plan | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription Plan | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| 1-Week VIP Plan | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| 1-Month VIP Plan | $12.99 | per month |
| 1-Month VIP Plan | $12.99 | per month |
| 1-Year VIP Plan | $79.99 | per year |
| 1-Year VIP Plan | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and secure
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly
- 🔒 Excellent privacy features
- 💡 Innovative app mode for selective VPN usage
- 🎥 Great for streaming content globally

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable connection and frequent disconnects
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🤖 Suspicious bot-generated positive reviews
- 🤔 Misleading advertising claims
- 🔌 Incompatible with certain networks and devices

**Reported bugs**

- Servers not working as advertised
- Subscription issues and billing problems
- Inability to access certain streaming platforms

**Requested features**

- Add more app integrations for selective VPN usage
- Improve customer support and communication
- Offer more flexible subscription options
- Enhance compatibility with a wider range of devices and networks


### Stepwise

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepwise/id6756933932)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SafeShell VPN free?

SafeShell VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Stepwise free?

Stepwise is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do SafeShell VPN or Stepwise have ads?

Neither SafeShell VPN nor Stepwise shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SafeShell VPN or Stepwise?

SafeShell VPN ships an update every 2 weeks, and Stepwise every 7 months. Most recently, SafeShell VPN was updated on November 3, 2026 and Stepwise on October 25, 2026.

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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.*