Comparison

xiaoman vs CactusVPN

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

Head to head
About

xiaoman

This DNS client tool allows developers to customize and manage DNS functionalities. It supports multiple transmission protocols, a hosts whitelist, and manual DNS server settings. The app also includes DNS request caching for faster access and IPv6 support.

Highlights
  • Multiple transmission protocols (TCP, UDP, TLS, HTTP)
  • Hosts whitelist support
  • Manual DNS server settings
  • DNS request caching
  • IPv6 DNS protocol support
  • List of common DNS servers
Features
Read full description

The Xiaoman app is a DNS client tool designed to help developers customize and manage DNS functionalities. It supports multiple transmission protocols to implement DNS functionality Supports users in setting a hosts whitelist (iOS does not natively support direct modification of the hosts file, but this can be achieved through the app). Provides a DNS client supporting four transmission protocols: TCP, UDP, TLS, and HTTP ( HTTP requires DNS server support). Allows users to manually set their own DNS servers. Supports caching of DNS requests to accelerate local DNS access. Supports IPv6 DNS protocol. Offers a list of commonly used DNS servers for easy modification of the phoneʼs default DNS settings.

About

CactusVPN

This app provides a secure VPN and Smart DNS service to protect your online privacy and prevent tracking. It offers high-speed servers, end-to-end encryption, and unlimited bandwidth for a seamless browsing experience across multiple devices.

Highlights
  • High-Speed VPN Servers
  • End-to-End Encryption
  • 7 VPN Protocols
  • No Logs Guaranteed
  • Unlimited Bandwidth
  • Unlimited Devices
  • Smart DNS Service
Features
Read full description

To use the app, you need a CactusVPN account. To get an account, you can register for a 3-days free trial account on our website or to order a subscription from the app. With CactusVPN you will get: - High-Speed VPN Servers - End-to-End Encryption - 7 VPN Protocols - No Logs Guaranteed - Unlimited Bandwidth and Speed - Unlimited Devices in the Same Time - Shared Static IP - 30-Days Money Back Guarantee - Professional 24/7 Customer Support CactusVPN iOS app allows you to: 1. Enjoy our VPN service directly from your iOS device. Simply choose the VPN server location and tap the "Connect" button. You can set the app to stop Internet traffic if VPN connection drops and reconnect automatically to VPN, to protect you from DNS leak, to sign in at app start, to connect VPN on sign in, to hide app on connect. 2. Enjoy our Smart DNS service directly from your iOS device and it’s easier than ever as you don’t need to manually connect anymore. All you have to do is run the app, sign in and enable the Smart DNS service. You can set our app to validate your IP address automatically while the app is in background and what DNS servers you want to use. You can automatically enable the Smart DNS every time you sign in to the app and you can sign in automatically at app startup. - Hide your IP address - Stop advertisers from tracking your digital footprints - Stop hackers from seeing what you do on the web - Keep your browsing habits a secret - Secure your data on any WiFi network - No more bandwidth throttling - Optimize your SEO strategies

Screenshots

xiaoman3 screens
CactusVPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CactusVPN at 3.0 against xiaoman's 1.0. CactusVPN also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). xiaoman's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months). 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. xiaoman sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. CactusVPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CactusVPN holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CactusVPN has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

xiaoman ships an update every 3 weeks, CactusVPN every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 3 level
xiaoman versus CactusVPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterxiaomanCactusVPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)3.0 (6 ratings) — better
Number of ratings16 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB20 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDE EASTRISE BPO SDN. BHD.CactusVPN, LLC

In-app purchases

10 purchases

xiaoman

One-time10
  • com.id3.month_price$5.99
  • com.id4.month_price$7.99
  • com.id2.quarter_price$9.99
Show 7 more
  • com.id3.quarter_price$12.99
  • id4quarter_price$14.99
  • com.id2.half_year_price$19.99
  • com.id2.year_price$29.99
  • com.id4.half_year_price$29.99
  • com.id3.year_price$39.99
  • com.id4.year_price$44.99
None

CactusVPN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is xiaoman free?
xiaoman is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CactusVPN free?
CactusVPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, xiaoman or CactusVPN?
CactusVPN is rated higher. xiaoman averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while CactusVPN averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.
Do xiaoman or CactusVPN have ads?
Neither xiaoman nor CactusVPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, xiaoman or CactusVPN?
xiaoman ships an update every 3 weeks, and CactusVPN every 6 months. Most recently, xiaoman was updated on October 25, 2026 and CactusVPN on October 30, 2026.

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