Comparison

Shield VPN vs Conduit, powered by ROS

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

Head to head
About

Shield VPN

This app provides a fast, secure, and user-friendly VPN service to protect your online privacy and ensure safe browsing. It encrypts your internet traffic, offers a global server network, and maintains a strict no-logs policy for enhanced anonymity. Connect with a single tap for seamless streaming, browsing, and downloading.

Highlights
  • Global server network
  • Strong encryption
  • No-logs policy
  • One-tap connection
  • Stable performance
  • Secure browsing
Read full description

Shield VPN is a fast, secure, and easy-to-use VPN service designed to protect your internet privacy and ensure safe browsing from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi network, mobile data, or home internet, Shield VPN helps encrypt your online traffic and keep your data safe from third parties. Key Features: - Global server network: Connect to servers in multiple countries for reliable and fast browsing - Strong encryption: Your internet traffic is encrypted using industry-standard protocols - No-logs policy: We do not monitor or store your browsing activity - One-tap connection: Simple interface for quick and easy VPN access - Stable performance: Enjoy smooth streaming, browsing, and downloading Shield VPN is ideal for: - Protecting personal information on public Wi-Fi - Enhancing online privacy and anonymity - Maintaining secure internet access while traveling - Keeping your internet activity private and secure Shield VPN does not collect or log user activity data. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XtOqbVzgu6S3MK4s-XftemHMUd4eqv_lPNsrKQMV20M/edit?usp=sharing Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Conduit, powered by ROS

Transform your iOS device into a ROS 2 sensor publisher. Stream real-time data from 12 sensor types directly to ROS 2 systems using the Zenoh protocol. Offers configurable publishing rates and quality of service settings.

Highlights
  • 12 sensor types supported
  • Direct ROS 2 integration
  • Dual ROS 2 distribution support
  • Configurable publishing rates
  • Quality of Service configuration
  • Background publishing (Premium)
Features
Read full description

Conduit transforms your iOS device into a powerful ROS 2 sensor publisher. Stream real-time sensor data directly to ROS 2 systems via Zenoh protocol - no bridge required. FEATURES: - 12 Sensor Types: IMU, Magnetometer, GPS, Barometer, Illuminance, Cameras, LiDAR, Microphone, Battery, Game Controller, Proximity, and Thermal sensors - Direct ROS 2 Integration: Publishes native ROS 2 messages compatible with rmw_zenoh_cpp - Dual Version Support: Works with both ROS 2 Humble and Jazzy distributions - Configurable Publishing: Adjust rates from 1-100Hz per sensor - Quality of Service: Full ROS 2 QoS configuration (reliability, durability, history) - Background Publishing: Continue streaming data while app is in background (Premium) FREE SENSORS: - IMU (accelerometer + gyroscope) at up to 100Hz - Magnetometer for compass/heading data - Barometer for altitude estimation - GPS location with NavSatFix messages - Front camera with compressed images - Battery state monitoring - Proximity and thermal sensors PREMIUM FEATURES (In-App Purchase): - Back Cameras (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto) - LiDAR/Depth sensor (iPhone 12 Pro and later) - Game Controller input - Background publishing mode USE CASES: - Mobile robotics research and development - Sensor fusion experiments - Real-world ROS 2 testing on iOS - Data collection for ML/AI training - Educational robotics projects REQUIREMENTS: - Zenoh router (rmw_zenohd) running on local network - ROS 2 Humble or Jazzy with rmw_zenoh_cpp - iOS 16.0 or later This app is designed for robotics developers and researchers who want to integrate iOS sensor data into their ROS 2 workflows.

Screenshots

Shield VPN3 screens
Conduit, powered by ROS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Conduit, powered by ROS at none against Shield VPN's shown. Conduit, powered by ROS also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 8 days). Shield VPN's advantage is ratings volume (726 vs 4). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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. Shield VPN sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Conduit, powered by ROS sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Conduit, powered by ROS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shield VPN has 726 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Shield VPN's written reviews are positive against 50% of Conduit, powered by ROS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shield VPN ships an update every 8 days, Conduit, powered by ROS every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Shield VPN versus Conduit, powered by ROS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShield VPNConduit, powered by ROS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (726 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings726 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#70 — better#138
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDENCOM NEW ZEALAND LIMITEDYutaka Kondo

Customer experience

Shield VPN

All ratings713 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral3.4%
Negative8.6%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative50.0%

Conduit, powered by ROS

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Shield VPN

Subscriptions2
  • ShieldVPN Premium Weekly$6.997 Days
  • ShieldVPN Premium Monthly$12.991 Month
5 purchases

Conduit, powered by ROS

One-time5
  • Background Mode$0.99
  • Game Controller$0.99
  • Back Cameras$1.99
Show 2 more
  • LiDAR Sensor$1.99
  • Recording Export$2.99

Questions

Is Shield VPN free?
Shield VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Conduit, powered by ROS free?
Conduit, powered by ROS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shield VPN or Conduit, powered by ROS?
Conduit, powered by ROS is rated higher. Shield VPN averages 4.6 out of 5 from 726 ratings, while Conduit, powered by ROS averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Shield VPN or Conduit, powered by ROS have ads?
Shield VPN shows ads; Conduit, powered by ROS does not.
Which is updated more often, Shield VPN or Conduit, powered by ROS?
Shield VPN ships an update every 8 days, and Conduit, powered by ROS every 4 days. Most recently, Shield VPN was updated on October 25, 2026 and Conduit, powered by ROS on October 25, 2026.
Which is more popular, Shield VPN or Conduit, powered by ROS?
Shield VPN currently peaks at #70 in the App Store charts, and Conduit, powered by ROS at #138. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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