Comparison

Xlarva vs Pixel Mapper xModel

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

Head to head
About

Xlarva

This app provides a secure and private VPN connection using WireGuard technology. It offers advanced features like traffic obfuscation, custom DNS, and split tunneling to bypass restrictions and enhance network stability. Seamlessly sync configurations across Apple devices and utilize powerful routing controls.

Highlights
  • WireGuard & AmneziaWG 2.0 support
  • Traffic obfuscation (WebSocket, MASQUE)
  • iCloud synchronization across Apple devices
  • Custom DNS (DoH/DoT)
  • Advanced routing and split tunneling
  • On-demand connection
  • SOCKS5 proxy server gateway
Features
Read full description

Xlarva - WireGuard VPN Client Experience the next generation of VPN technology with Xlarva, a sophisticated WireGuard-based VPN solution designed for privacy-conscious users across all Apple platforms. CORE FEATURES • WireGuard & AmneziaWG 2.0: Industry-leading performance with state-of-the-art cryptography • Traffic Obfuscation: Advanced WebSocket and MASQUE (HTTP/3) tunneling to bypass restrictions and make network more stable • iCloud Synchronization: Seamlessly sync VPN configurations across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV • Custom DNS: Support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) • Advanced Routing: Fine-grained control over network routes with include/exclude rules • Traffic Splitting: Decide by domain what goes through the tunnel and what connects directly, with the same rules applying to HTTP, TLS and QUIC (iOS 18 / macOS 15 / tvOS 18) • On-Demand Connection: Intelligent auto-connect based on network conditions • Proxy Configuration: Built-in support for HTTP/HTTPS/PAC proxy settings • Dynamic DNS: Automatic endpoint resolution with secure DNS lookup • Shortcuts Integration: Start, stop, switch configurations and read VPN status from Apple Shortcuts for fully automated workflows • Gateway: Built-in SOCKS5 proxy server to share VPN connection with other devices on your local network • Self-Hosted Deployment: Set up a WireGuard server on your own VPS over SSH, then run it from iPhone, iPad or Mac — monitor it live, manage WireGuard peers, run custom scripts, and open a terminal on it without leaving the app • URL Filter: Block known harmful or unwanted websites in Safari and most apps on iPhone, iPad and Mac, with or without the VPN connected. Most addresses are checked on your device and possible matches are confirmed privately, so the filter server never learns which sites you visit (iOS 26 / macOS 26) WHY CHOOSE Xlarva? Privacy First Your VPN configurations are stored locally and synced via your private iCloud account. We never see or store your data. Cross-Platform One subscription works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Configure once, use everywhere. Advanced Obfuscation WebSocket and MASQUE (HTTP/3 over QUIC, RFC 9298) tunneling disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, helping bypass deep packet inspection and improve stability on restrictive networks. MASQUE preserves UDP semantics for better performance on lossy networks (requires iOS 17 / macOS 14 / tvOS 17 or later). PRO FEATURES • Unlimited VPN configurations • Traffic obfuscation with WebSocket and MASQUE (HTTP/3) tunneling • Advanced routing and split tunneling • Custom DNS with DoH/DoT support • On-demand connection rules • Dynamic DNS resolution • Proxy configuration support • Full Shortcuts integration • Gateway SOCKS5 proxy server • URL Filter on iPhone, iPad and Mac • Priority support and continuous updates • Universal purchase - buy once, use on all your Apple devices PERFECT FOR • Privacy-conscious individuals • Remote workers and digital nomads • Developers and IT professionals • Power users leveraging Shortcuts automation • Users who want full control over their network configuration • Anyone seeking true privacy and security SECURITY & PRIVACY • Open-source WireGuard protocol • End-to-end encrypted tunnels • No logging, no tracking • Local-first architecture • iCloud sync (encrypted) NOTICE Xlarva is a VPN client and does not provide VPN servers. You need to set up your own WireGuard server or obtain a configuration from a third-party VPN provider that supports the WireGuard protocol. Start your journey to true online privacy today with Xlarva.

About

Pixel Mapper xModel

Features
Read full description

Pixel Mapper turns your iPhone or iPad into an automatic layout tool for xLights. Point your camera at your light display, and the app lights each WS2811 / WS2812 pixel, finds it in the camera image with computer vision, and builds a ready-to-import xLights Custom model — no manual clicking pixel by pixel. Perfect for Christmas light displays, props, matrices, megatrees, and any irregular pixel layout that's painful to map by hand. HOW IT WORKS 1. Target — enter your controller's IP and pixel count. Output goes over DDP or sACN / E1.31, the same protocols xLights and FPP already speak. 2. Scan — choose a mode: • Fast (base-3): every pixel lights in every frame, colored by one base-3 digit of its index, so all pixels are identified in only ~log3(N)+2 frames (about 500 pixels in 8 frames). Two checksum digits reject misreads. • Sequential: light one pixel at a time and find the single bright blob. Slower, but dead simple and rock solid. Both modes subtract a black reference frame to ignore ambient hotspots. 3. Review — see the detected layout over your photo, drop bad points, tap to place or move a node, and re-scan individual pixels. Zoom and pan to fine-tune. 4. Export — save a standard xLights .xmodel file that imports into both old and new versions of xLights. WHY PIXEL MAPPER • No more mapping hundreds of pixels by hand. • Works with the gear you already own — any DDP or sACN/E1.31 pixel controller. • Fast base-3 scan maps large models in seconds of capture. • Checksum-protected so misread pixels get rejected, not placed wrong. • Best results in a dim room; the app locks camera exposure and focus where the device supports it. REQUIREMENTS • A WS2811 / WS2812 (or compatible) pixel controller reachable on your network. • The controller set to receive DDP or sACN / E1.31. • An iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network as the controller. Pixel Mapper is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the xLights project. xLights is a trademark of its respective owners.

Screenshots

Xlarva4 screens
Pixel Mapper xModel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pixel Mapper xModel at none against Xlarva's 4. Pixel Mapper xModel also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). 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. Xlarva sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Pixel Mapper xModel asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Xlarva versus Pixel Mapper xModel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXlarvaPixel Mapper xModel
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFERN EAST LIMITEDS&B Designs

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Xlarva

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro Membership$1.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro Membership7 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Pro Upgrade$34.99
  • Lifetime Pro$49.99
None

Pixel Mapper xModel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Xlarva free?
Xlarva is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pixel Mapper xModel free?
Pixel Mapper xModel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Xlarva or Pixel Mapper xModel have ads?
Neither Xlarva nor Pixel Mapper xModel shows ads.

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