Comparison

Clash vs Mesl

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 allows users to manage network connections using custom rules. It supports various proxy protocols and offers detailed network visibility. Configure connections, test latency, and customize routing for your specific needs.

Highlights
  • Rule-based network routing
  • Support for multiple proxy protocols
  • Customizable policy groups
  • Detailed network traffic monitoring
  • Visual rule editor
  • DNS configuration options
Features
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

Mesl

This app provides a fast and lightweight connection to a VPN service. It offers one-tap connection with real-time stats and multiple routing modes. Users can manage their subscriptions and enjoy a private browsing experience.

Highlights
  • One-tap connect
  • Live speed and traffic stats
  • Rule, Global, or Direct mode
  • Custom routing rules
  • Server list with latency testing
  • No logging of browsing activity
Features
Read full description

Mesl is a fast, lightweight client for the Mesl VPN service. Sign in with your Mesl account or with Apple and connect with one tap. • One-tap connect with live speed and traffic stats • Rule, Global or Direct mode, plus your own custom rules • Server list with latency testing • Works on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV We never inspect or store your traffic content. Some of our servers keep user access logs, including the domains or addresses you access, for troubleshooting and handling abuse complaints; details are in our privacy policy. No ads or analytics SDKs. SUBSCRIPTIONS Plans are offered in the app as auto-renewable subscriptions. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase. A subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://legal.meslapp.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: support@meslapp.com

Screenshots

Clash4 screens
Mesl4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Clash at none against Mesl's 9. Clash also leads on ratings volume (239 vs 8) and device support (5 vs 3). Mesl's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 84%). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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. Mesl sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $8.49 per month. Clash asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mesl holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Clash has 239 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Clash's written reviews are positive against 100% of Mesl's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Clash versus Mesl: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClashMesl
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (239 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings239 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size108 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpen SourcedROG CLOUD LLC

Customer experience

Clash

All ratings201 ratings
Positive87.1%
Neutral4.0%
Negative9.0%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive83.6%
Neutral7.5%
Negative9.0%

Mesl

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Clash

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Mesl

Subscriptions9
  • Premium 200G$8.491 Month
  • Premium 300G$11.991 Month
  • Premium 100G$11.993 Months
Show 6 more
  • Premium 500G$18.491 Month
  • Premium 100G$23.996 Months
  • Premium 50G$25.991 Year
  • Premium 1024G$35.491 Month
  • Premium 100G$42.991 Year
  • Premium Team$100.991 Month

Questions

Is Clash free?
Clash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mesl free?
Mesl is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Clash or Mesl?
Mesl is rated higher. Clash averages 4.6 out of 5 from 239 ratings, while Mesl averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Clash or Mesl have ads?
Neither Clash nor Mesl shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Clash or Mesl?
Clash ships an update every 3 days, and Mesl every 3 days. Most recently, Clash was updated on November 6, 2026 and Mesl on November 6, 2026.

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