Comparison

StarBridge vs PulseStar

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

Head to head
About

StarBridge

Features
Read full description

StarBridge is a VPN connection and network routing tool for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Manage service categories, nodes, and connection status in one clear interface. Choose how you connect Select service categories and apply their network routing rules. Start or stop your connection with the main connection button and check its status at a glance. Automatic or manual node selection Let StarBridge test available nodes and select a connection path, or choose a node manually to suit your network environment. Bring your own nodes Import compatible VLESS TCP REALITY, AnyTLS TLS, and AnyTLS REALITY configurations. Scan node QR codes on iPhone and iPad. Personal node configurations are stored on your device and synced through your private iCloud database when available. See your connection activity View the current node, live upload and download speeds, and connection traffic. Check account usage, entitlement expiry, and registered devices. Adjust your settings Choose system or custom DNS, configure the connection test URL, and manage QUIC settings. Connect On Demand is off by default and can be enabled in settings. Connect on Apple TV Pair Apple TV using a signed-in iPhone. Enter and approve the code shown on your TV to sign in to your account. Access and purchases Account features require sign-in. Managed node availability, traffic allowances, and device limits depend on your account entitlements. Optional one-time In-App Purchases permanently increase the selectable service category limit to 3 or 10. These purchases do not include a service plan, traffic allowance, or node service. Prices are shown in the App Store. Personal node import is available at no charge in this version; you must supply your own node service. Connection performance depends on your network, node, and destination service. Use only nodes and services you are authorized to access. Privacy Policy: https://starbridge.yingboxs.com/privacy Terms: https://starbridge.yingboxs.com/terms

About

PulseStar

Read full description

PulseStar is a free VPN client for employees of organizations using managed server infrastructure. A profile from your organization’s administrator is required to connect. Organizations separately pay for infrastructure deployment, configuration and maintenance services; employees do not buy subscriptions, access codes or individual app licenses. QR codes, codes and files provide connection configuration and authorization, not purchases of app features. Features: • Add access using a QR code, code or file. • Select an available server. • Automatic transport selection: TCP, then QUIC and UDP when needed. • Manual TCP, QUIC or UDP selection. • View connection status. • Access permitted local services directly using administrator-defined routing rules, while other traffic continues through the VPN. • Optional technical diagnostics to help investigate connection failures. The app is free to download and use. Available servers, access duration and limits depend on your profile and your organization’s infrastructure configuration. You can turn diagnostic reporting off in Settings. See the privacy policy for details about data processing. Support: https://pulsstar.com/support/ Privacy: https://pulsstar.com/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://pulsstar.com/terms/

Screenshots

StarBridge4 screens
PulseStar3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PulseStar at none against StarBridge's 2. On price, update cadence, 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. StarBridge sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. PulseStar asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StarBridge ships an update weekly, PulseStar every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
StarBridge versus PulseStar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarBridgePulseStar
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYINGBOX TECHNOLOGY LTDMIRANDA FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

StarBridge

One-time2
  • Unlock 3 Services Permanently$0.99
  • Unlock 10 Services Permanently$3.99
None

PulseStar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StarBridge free?
StarBridge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PulseStar free?
PulseStar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do StarBridge or PulseStar have ads?
Neither StarBridge nor PulseStar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StarBridge or PulseStar?
StarBridge ships an update weekly, and PulseStar every 2 weeks. Most recently, StarBridge was updated on November 6, 2026 and PulseStar on November 6, 2026.

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