HalfMoon Browser vs VanBrowser
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HalfMoon Browser
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A browser that lets you do everything with one hand. HalfMoon Browser is a lightweight web browser specifically designed for one-handed operation on iPhones. It consolidates operations such as back, search, and tab switching into a "dial" accessible from the edge of the screen, aiming for ultimate comfort by allowing you to complete browsing with just your thumb. ■ Unique dial operation for one-handed use Place your finger on the left or right edge of the screen, and a semi-circular dial will unfold. Simply slide your finger up or down and release to execute the desired function. • Back / Forward / Home • New Tab / Tab Switch / Close Tab • Search / URL Input • Add Bookmark • Instantly jump to the top/bottom of the page • Remove Ads / Share / In-page Search / Auto-scroll / Settings (submenu) Even on larger devices, there's no need to stretch your finger to the center or top of the screen. ■ Extensive customization to create your own preferences The contents of the dial can be edited at any time from the settings. • Add, delete, and rearrange items • Swap left and right dials (switch between dominant and non-dominant hands) • Two operation modes (hold & release / tap switching) • Adjust dial size from 0.8x to 1.8x • Adjust haptic feedback intensity ■ Unprecedentedly powerful ad blocking HalfMoon's ad blocking operates with a three-layer structure. • Layer 1: URL filtering blocks over 200 ad-delivery domains at the communication level • Layer 2: CSS hiding removes ad containers from the screen • Layer 3: Detection bypass (prevents "Please unblock ads" warnings and automatic ad reloads) Furthermore, ads that were not completely blocked by the filter can be manually removed with a single tap from the "Remove Ads" submenu. Hidden selectors are remembered per site, so they will be hidden from the start the next time you open the site. ■ Other Features • Private Browser (Protected by Face ID / Touch ID) • Forced Dark Mode (Inverts white background sites to darker display) • Super Dark (Darks the entire screen, adjustable from 10-85%) • Password Save (Encrypted to Keychain on your device) • Site Data / Download / History Management ■ About the Pro Version Almost all features of HalfMoon Browser are available for free. If you like it, please support us by purchasing the Pro version. The following features are unlocked with a one-time purchase: • Expands the number of dial items from 6 to 12 each • Favorites exclusive to Private Mode ■ Privacy This app does not send user browsing data to the developer's servers. History, bookmarks, and passwords are all stored on your device. We do not use analytics tools, crash report SDKs, or collect advertising IDs (IDFA).
VanBrowser
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.
- 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
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Fast, private, and built natively for Mac, iPhone, and iPad, VanBrowser puts you in control of your browsing experience instead of collecting data about it. Many browsers racing to add AI assistants, cloud services, and increasingly complicated and hidden interfaces. VanBrowser takes a different approach. It is a browser first, designed to help you browse the web with more transparency. NO AI. NONE. VanBrowser includes no AI features. No chatbot. No page summaries. No assistant watching what you browse. No prompts asking you to generate content. What you do in VanBrowser never becomes training data for us because we don't collect it in the first place. We don't collect data: You're not the product. Instead of monetizing your browsing activity, we rely on Pro subscriptions and optional tips to support continued development. SEE WHAT THE WEB IS DOING Most browsers hide what happens behind the scenes. VanBrowser puts that information in front of you. A live status bar shows page load times, transferred data, and resource counts as pages load. Open the Cookies, Network, and Page Info panels to inspect what a site sets, requests, and loads. Advanced users can also send and inspect raw web requests directly. PERSONAS: SEPARATE YOUR ONLINE IDENTITIES Keep work and personal accounts separate without juggling multiple browsers. Personas provide isolated browsing environments with their own cookies and device identities, making it easy to: • Stay logged into multiple accounts at the same time • Keep work and personal browsing separate • Open websites as a clean device • Automatically send specific websites to the correct Persona PRIVACY BY DEFAULT VanBrowser blocks many trackers and ads using maintained blocklists and is designed to give you greater control over your browsing data. History, bookmarks, passwords, and settings are stored locally on your Mac by default. If you use multiple devices, you can optionally enable iCloud sync to share supported data through your own iCloud account. VanBrowser is designed to minimize the collection of user data. We do not operate a cloud service for storing your browsing history, bookmarks, passwords, or synced data. BUILT NATIVELY FOR MAC, IPHONE, AND IPAD VanBrowser is designed specifically for macOS, iPhone, and iPad and feels at home here. Features include: • Tabbed browsing • Bookmarks and bookmarks bar • History and downloads • Reader View • Find in Page • Zoom controls • Built-in password vault • Built-in payment card vault • Per-site controls • Accessibility-focused design ACCESSIBILITY FIRST VanBrowser includes support for VoiceOver, Voice Control, and accessibility-focused customization throughout the app. FREE AND PRO VanBrowser is free to use. Upgrade to Pro to unlock iCloud sync, additional Personas, and other advanced features. A browser should work for you, not advertisers, data brokers, or AI companies. VanBrowser is a browser. That's the point. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: VanBrowser at every 2 days against HalfMoon Browser's every 10 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. HalfMoon Browser sells 1 one-off in-app purchase 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.
HalfMoon Browser ships an update every 10 days, VanBrowser every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HalfMoon Browser | VanBrowser |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Kotaro Tominaga | Vertolini |
In-app purchases
HalfMoon Browser
- Pro 版へアップグレード$1.99
VanBrowser
- VanBrowser (Monthly)$1.991 Month
- VanBrowser Pro (Yearly)$19.991 Year
- Small Tip$2.99
- Medium Tip$6.99
- Large Tip$12.99
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- VanBrowser Pro (Lifetime)$49.99









