# Shimmer Browser vs VanBrowser

Shimmer Browser and VanBrowser both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of VanBrowser's written reviews are positive against 50% of Shimmer Browser's. VanBrowser also leads on ratings volume (7 vs 2) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shimmer Browser sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and VanBrowser sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Shimmer Browser against 5.0 for VanBrowser. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 7 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Shimmer Browser's written reviews are positive against 100% of VanBrowser's.

Shimmer Browser ships an update every 6 days, VanBrowser every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shimmer Browser | VanBrowser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shimmer-browser/id6739163018/reviews) | [5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vanbrowser-private-browser/id6775986438/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **7** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 45 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Jamie Froggatt](https://appshunter.io/developer/933327498) | [Vertolini](https://appshunter.io/developer/1802404097) |

## What reviewers say

### Shimmer Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shimmer-browser/id6739163018)

This web browser offers customizable visual styles and a resizable sidebar for a personalized experience. It includes features to manage tabs, set time limits, block web annoyances, and organize saved links. Homescreen widgets provide quick access to selected tabs.

**Highlights:** Customizable visual styles, Resizable sidebar, Tab saving and organization, Time limits on saved tabs, Web annoyance blocking, Homescreen widgets

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $3.99 | one-time |
| More Tabs | $7.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


### VanBrowser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vanbrowser-private-browser/id6775986438)

A fast, private web browser designed for Apple devices. It prioritizes user control and transparency by avoiding AI features and data collection. Offers advanced tools for inspecting web activity and managing online identities.

**Highlights:** No AI features, Advanced web inspection tools, Persona-based identity separation, Tracker and ad blocking, Local data storage, Optional iCloud sync, Native Apple device design

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VanBrowser (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| VanBrowser Pro (Yearly) | $19.99 | per year |
| Small Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $6.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $12.99 | one-time |
| VanBrowser Pro (Lifetime) | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shimmer Browser free?

Shimmer Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is VanBrowser free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Shimmer Browser or VanBrowser?

Shimmer Browser and VanBrowser are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 7 ratings respectively.

### Do Shimmer Browser or VanBrowser have ads?

Neither Shimmer Browser nor VanBrowser shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shimmer Browser or VanBrowser?

Shimmer Browser ships an update every 6 days, and VanBrowser every 3 days. Most recently, Shimmer Browser was updated on September 30, 2026 and VanBrowser on October 1, 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.*