Comparison

SplitVPN vs Catalyst

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

Head to head
About

SplitVPN

Control which apps use a VPN tunnel and which use your regular connection. Secure your connection on public Wi-Fi and untrusted networks. Offers a choice of over 32 countries for server locations.

Highlights
  • Per-app routing rules
  • Encrypted tunnel connection
  • One-tap connect
  • Works on Wi-Fi and cellular
  • No registration required
  • 32+ server locations
Features
Read full description

• Split tunneling — you choose which apps use the VPN • Unlimited free traffic and time — no data caps, no timers • Fast, private connection on any Wi-Fi network Every network you join can see more than you think — and a VPN that breaks your banking app isn't protecting you, it's getting in your way. SplitVPN gives you both: real privacy for what matters, and split tunneling that keeps your everyday apps working exactly as they should. WHAT MAKES SPLITVPN DIFFERENT — SPLIT TUNNELING You choose which apps use the VPN and which connect directly: • Your banking app connects directly — no fraud alerts, no locked accounts • Your browser and everything sensitive stay encrypted • Maps, delivery, and local apps keep your real location • Only protected traffic uses the tunnel — faster speeds, longer battery life Most VPNs are all-or-nothing. SplitVPN gives you control. FREE MEANS ACTUALLY FREE • Unlimited traffic — no data caps, ever • Unlimited time — no session limits, no countdown timers The honest trade-off: free servers are speed-limited, cover fewer locations, and can slow down at peak hours. That's it. No tricks. STAY PRIVATE ON ANY NETWORK • Encrypts your connection on public Wi-Fi — airports, hotels, cafes • Hides your browsing from your internet provider and advertisers • Masks your IP address from the sites you visit • Modern protocols built for a fast, stable connection — even on networks where ordinary VPNs struggle EVERYDAY SITUATIONS WHERE SPLITVPN SHINES • Working from cafe, airport, or hotel Wi-Fi • Keeping your searches away from advertisers' profiles • Traveling abroad and staying connected to your usual apps and services • Reaching the apps and sites you rely on when a network gets in the way • Streaming or gaming through the VPN while calls and messages go direct GO PREMIUM WHEN YOU'RE READY • Maximum speeds with priority bandwidth • Full list of countries and locations — from the USA to Europe and Asia • Rock-solid stability at any hour, including peak time SplitVPN is translated into 25 languages and used around the world. Download SplitVPN — the VPN that protects what needs protection and leaves the rest alone. SUBSCRIPTION INFO SplitVPN Premium is available through auto-renewable subscriptions. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings at any time. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://splitvpn.io/privacy-policy

About

Catalyst

This app uses financial consequences to help users achieve their goals. Users commit money to a 30-day cycle, earning it back with a bonus for completion or losing it if they fail. Mastermind groups provide social accountability.

Highlights
  • Financial commitment for goals
  • Daily reflection tracking
  • 30-day goal cycles
  • Mastermind accountability groups
  • Consequence-based motivation
  • Goal progress feed
Features
Read full description

Catalyst is a social accountability platform for people who are serious about their goals. No confetti. No badges for showing up. A system built on the one thing that actually changes behavior: consequences. HOW IT WORKS Set a goal that matters. Catalyst breaks it into daily tasks. Then you prove your execution every day with a Daily Reflection: what you did, what you didn't, and what happens tomorrow. Your reflections become your track record. THE CYCLE When you're ready to make it real, start a 30-day Cycle: - Commit a Participation Fee — from $50 to $500. It's non-refundable. - Submit a Daily Reflection every day for 30 days. You get two lives — miss two days and the Cycle fails. - Complete all 30 days and you earn every dollar back as a Completion Bonus. - Quit or fail, and the money is gone. The only way to see that money again is to earn it. That's the point. THE MASTERMIND Every Cycle places you in a mastermind group of up to 10 people at your commitment level, in it at the same time as you. They see your reflections. They notice when you go quiet. Accountability you can't mute. THE FEED No influencers. No motivational wallpaper. A feed of real people doing real work, one day at a time — and posting proof. WHO IT'S FOR People with money on the line behave differently. If you need a gentle nudge, this isn't your app. If you're done negotiating with yourself — welcome. SUBSCRIPTION Catalyst requires an auto-renewing subscription: $49.99/month or $14.99/week. Payment is charged to your account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your account settings after purchase. Terms of Service: https://catalyst.life/docs/terms_and_conditions.html Privacy Policy: https://catalyst.life/docs/privacy_policy.html Community Guidelines: https://catalyst.life/docs/community_guidelines.html Cycle Agreement: https://catalyst.life/docs/cycle_agreement.html Support: support@catalyst.life

Screenshots

SplitVPN4 screens
Catalyst4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: SplitVPN at freemium against Catalyst's subscription. SplitVPN also leads on ratings volume (430 vs 1). Catalyst's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. SplitVPN sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month and Catalyst sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Catalyst holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SplitVPN has 430 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SplitVPN versus Catalyst: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSplitVPNCatalyst
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (430 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews49.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings430 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB97 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSplitVPN TechnologiesBlackShift LLC

Customer experience

SplitVPN

All ratings430 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral2.3%
Negative10.9%
Written reviews83 reviews
Positive49.4%
Neutral7.2%
Negative43.4%

Catalyst

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SplitVPN

Subscriptions3
  • 1-Month7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • 6-Month7 Days trial$59.996 Months
  • 12-Month7 Days trial$79.991 Year
2 purchases

Catalyst

Subscriptions2
  • Catalyst Weekly$14.997 Days
  • Catalyst7 Days trial$49.991 Month

Questions

Is SplitVPN free?
SplitVPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Catalyst free?
Catalyst is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SplitVPN or Catalyst?
Catalyst is rated higher. SplitVPN averages 4.5 out of 5 from 430 ratings, while Catalyst averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SplitVPN or Catalyst have ads?
Neither SplitVPN nor Catalyst shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SplitVPN or Catalyst?
SplitVPN ships an update fortnightly, and Catalyst fortnightly. Most recently, SplitVPN was updated on October 13, 2026 and Catalyst on October 4, 2026.

Other comparisons