Comparison

Clash vs Clash Meta

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

Head to head
About

Clash

This utility app allows users to manage network connections using custom rules. It supports various proxy protocols and offers advanced DNS configuration. Built natively for iOS devices, it provides real-time network visibility and control.

Highlights
  • Rule-based network routing
  • Import custom profiles via URL or QR code
  • Support for multiple proxy protocols
  • Advanced DNS configuration
  • Real-time network traffic monitoring
  • Visual rule editor
  • Control Center and Shortcuts integration
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Clash - Rule based proxy utility is now on iOS. Clash is a rule-based network proxy utility. Its core builds on the open-source mihomo project and powers the app's NetworkExtension runtime on Apple platforms. The app is built natively with SwiftUI for iPhone and iPad — not a web wrapper and not a port. Bring your existing Clash or mihomo profile URL. Clash then decides how each connection should be handled: direct, through a selected proxy, or rejected by your rules. Clash ships with no servers and no proxy lines; you supply your own configuration or profile URL. GETTING STARTED 1. Import — paste a profile URL, scan a QR code, open a YAML configuration, Share one from another app, or start with a blank profile. 2. Choose — refresh policy groups, test latency, and select the route you want. 3. Connect — connect from Home, Control Center, or Shortcuts, then switch routing modes whenever needed. RULE-BASED ROUTING • Rule / Global / Direct modes, switched in one tap • Match domains, suffixes, keywords, IP-CIDR, GEOIP, GEOSITE, ports, network types, and more • Add custom rules with a visual editor — no YAML by hand • Update remote rule providers on a schedule • Every connection shows the rule it matched and the node it took NODES AND POLICY GROUPS • select, url-test, fallback, load-balance, and relay policy groups • Refresh nodes, test latency, and change selections quickly • Create nodes manually with a field-level editor, configure proxy chains, or use nodes from an imported profile • Read mihomo-format YAML configurations and remote profiles directly • Accepts ss / ssr / vmess / vless / trojan / hysteria2 / tuic / anytls share links and Base64 node lists DNS • Resolver lists, per-domain policies, Fake-IP and real-IP modes • DNS over HTTPS, TLS, QUIC, and UDP • Local DNS mapping: pin a domain to an address you choose, ahead of any resolver • DNS self-checks, cache controls, and resolution-path diagnostics A VISIBLE NETWORK • Live upload and download speed with cumulative traffic • Current connections, request history, matched rules, and outbound routes • Runtime logs, core status, and resource usage • Network quality testing, STUN, and NAT type detection BUILT FOR IPHONE AND IPAD • A sidebar with two-column detail on iPad; ⌘1 through ⌘9 jump to the sidebar sections • Light and Dark Mode, Dynamic Type, and VoiceOver throughout • Control Center control for one-tap connect • Shortcuts and Siri actions for connect, disconnect, toggle, and routing mode • Share extension: send a configuration from any app to import it • On Demand rules for automatic takeover on selected networks • Local and iCloud Drive configuration backup and restore • Localized in English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese SUPPORTED OUTBOUND PROTOCOLS HTTP, SOCKS, Shadowsocks, ShadowsocksR, Snell, VMess, VLESS, Trojan, AnyTLS, Mieru, Sudoku, Hysteria, Hysteria2, TUIC, ShadowQUIC, GOST Relay, WireGuard, Tailscale, ZeroTier, SSH, MASQUE, TrustTunnel, OpenVPN PRIVACY • No data collected • No ads, third-party analytics, or tracking SDKs • Configurations and credentials use iOS Data Protection; optional backups use your own Apple/iCloud account. • Logs and diagnostics stay local unless you choose to share them. • Network traffic flows only between your device and the services you configure OPEN-SOURCE CORE The Clash core source is public for audit. Issues are welcome. The core is built on the open-source mihomo project. To connect, you need a Clash or mihomo configuration — bring your own, or create and edit one in the app — and a network service you control or are authorized to use. Clash source: https://github.com/ProjectClash/Clash Privacy Policy: https://clash.md/privacy Terms of Use: https://clash.md/terms Support and Documentation: https://clash.md/

About

Clash Meta

This VPN client allows you to connect to your own servers using imported configurations. It offers rule-based split tunneling, multiple protocol support, and easy connection management. Your traffic is securely routed through an encrypted tunnel without the app collecting any data.

Highlights
  • Import configurations from URL, file, or QR code
  • One-switch connect/disconnect
  • Rule-based split tunneling
  • Multiple protocol support (VLESS, VMess, WireGuard, etc.)
  • Server latency testing
  • Custom DNS settings
  • iCloud settings backup
Features
Read full description

Clash Meta is a VPN client for iPhone and iPad. It connects to the servers in a configuration you import from your own provider or network administrator, and sends your traffic to them through an encrypted VPN tunnel built with Apple's Network Extension framework. Clash Meta does not sell, operate or include any servers. You need your own configuration (a Clash / mihomo YAML file or subscription URL) to connect. Features • Import a configuration from a URL, file, clipboard or QR code • Connect and disconnect with one switch, in the app or from a Home Screen widget • Rule-based split tunneling: choose which traffic goes through your servers and which goes direct • Rule, Global and Direct modes • Choose a server and test its latency • Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Trojan, Shadowsocks, Hysteria2, TUIC, WireGuard and more • Custom DNS settings • Back up your settings to iCloud, Files or WebDAV Privacy Clash Meta has no account and does not collect any data. Your configuration stays on your device, and your traffic only goes to the servers you configure.

Screenshots

Clash4 screens
Clash Meta4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Clash at 85% against Clash Meta's 0%. Clash also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (246 vs 1). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Clash holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Clash has 246 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Clash's written reviews are positive against 0% of Clash Meta's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Clash ships an update every 3 days, Clash Meta weekly. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Clash versus Clash Meta: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClashClash Meta
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (246 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews84.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings246 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#206 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size109 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpen SourcedNovexura LLC

Customer experience

Clash

All ratings246 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral3.7%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive84.9%
Neutral6.8%
Negative8.2%

Clash Meta

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Clash

No in-app purchases

None

Clash Meta

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Clash free?
Clash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Clash Meta free?
Clash Meta is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Clash or Clash Meta?
Clash is rated higher. Clash averages 4.6 out of 5 from 246 ratings, while Clash Meta averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Clash or Clash Meta have ads?
Neither Clash nor Clash Meta shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Clash or Clash Meta?
Clash ships an update every 3 days, and Clash Meta weekly. Most recently, Clash was updated on November 10, 2026 and Clash Meta on November 10, 2026.

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