Comparison

Shadowrocket vs Potatso

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

Head to head
About

Shadowrocket

This utility client captures and redirects all device traffic to a proxy server. It records requests, allows rule-based configuration, and measures network performance. It also supports ad blocking, local DNS mapping, and advanced proxy features.

Highlights
  • Capture and redirect all device traffic
  • Record HTTP, HTTPS, and DNS requests
  • Configure rules by domain, IP, and GeoIP
  • Measure traffic usage and network speed
  • Import rule files from URL or iCloud
  • Block ads by domain and user agent
  • Local DNS Mapping
Features
Read full description

Rule based proxy utility client for iPhone/iPad. - Capture all HTTP/HTTPS/TCP traffic from any applications on your device, and redirect to the proxy server. - Record and display HTTP, HTTPS, DNS requests from your iOS devices. - Configure rules using domain match, domain suffix, domain keyword, CIDR IP range, and/or GeoIP lookup. - Measure traffic usage and network speed on WiFi, cellular, direct and proxy connections. - Import rule files from URL or iCloud Drive. - Block ads by domain, user agent rules. - Local DNS Mapping. - Work on cellular networks. - Decrypt HTTPS traffic. - Perform URL rewrite. - Fully IPv6 supports. - Script filter supports. - Multi-level forward proxy. - Support kcptun, cloak, gost, v2ray plugins. - Support DNS over HTTPS, DNS over TLS, DNS over QUIC.

About

Potatso

This powerful network tool enhances your mobile experience by creating a clean network environment. It supports various proxy protocols and offers smart routing rules to optimize data usage and speed, making it suitable for both new and experienced users.

Highlights
  • Supports Shadowsocks, ShadowsocksR, Socks, HTTP(s) proxy
  • Seamless background operation
  • Works on cellular data and Wi-Fi
  • Custom DNS support
  • Smart routing rules for Chinese users
  • QR code, URI, and manual input for proxies
Features
Read full description

Potatso is a powerful network tool designed to create a clean network environment and enhance your mobile experience, friendly for both beginners and professional users. Potatso now supports Shadowsocks, ShadowsocksR, Socks, HTTP(s) proxy protocols. You can use proxies you've set up yourself or purchased from any service provider. Providing you with a Shadowrocket-like network experience. The built-in smart routing rules effectively help Chinese users reduce server data consumption and speed up access to domestic websites. === Features === - Custom proxy supports Shadowsocks (SS), ShadowsocksR (SSR), Socks, HTTP(s) (supports QR code, URI, manual input) - Runs quietly in the background without interruption, bringing you a truly seamless experience - Supports both mobile cellular data and Wi-Fi - Supports custom DNS - Built-in smart routing rules for Chinese users === Privacy === We respect your privacy and will not upload or share your private data with any third parties === Terms === By using the app, you agree to the standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ === Feedback === Please send email to hi@potatso.com

Screenshots

Shadowrocket4 screens
Potatso3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Potatso at Free against Shadowrocket's $2.99. Shadowrocket's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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

Potatso is free to download; Shadowrocket costs $2.99 up front. Potatso sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per year. Shadowrocket asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Shadowrocket against 4.4 for Potatso. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12K and 6.1K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 57% and 58% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shadowrocket ships an update weekly, Potatso fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Shadowrocket versus Potatso: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadowrocketPotatso
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (12K ratings) — better4.4 (6.1K ratings)
Positive reviews57.5% of reviews58.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better6.1K
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#1 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShadow Launch Technology LimitedPotatso Lab LTD

Customer experience

Shadowrocket

All ratings11,998 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews1,416 reviews
Positive57.5%
Neutral10.0%
Negative32.5%

Potatso

All ratings6,051 ratings
Positive85.2%
Neutral3.6%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews476 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral9.5%
Negative32.1%

User reviews

Shadowrocket

From 12K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent VPN performance
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🔒 Robust security features
  • 💡 Useful customization options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues after updates
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🤔 Confusing setup process for some users

Potatso

From 6.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient and stable
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure connection
  • 💰 Free to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional disconnections
  • 🔌 Compatibility issues with iOS 15
  • 📈 Lacks speed/latency testing
  • 🗑️ Difficult to delete proxies

Bugs and requests

Shadowrocket

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
  • Unreliable server connections leading to timeouts
  • Subscription management and customer support issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add support for more protocols (e.g. SSTP, L2TP)
  • Implement auto-connect and load balancing features
  • Develop a native macOS version

Potatso

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Subscription links not working
  • Smart routing mode causing issues
  • Frequent disconnections on cellular network

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for V2Ray protocol
  • Implement a 'delete all proxies' feature
  • Introduce a speed/latency test option
  • Provide macOS version

In-app purchases

None

Shadowrocket

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Potatso

Subscriptions1
  • Pro - Ad-Free Experience$5.991 Year

Questions

Is Shadowrocket free?
Shadowrocket costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Potatso free?
Potatso is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shadowrocket or Potatso?
Shadowrocket is rated higher. Shadowrocket averages 4.5 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Potatso averages 4.4 from 6.1K ratings.
Do Shadowrocket or Potatso have ads?
Potatso shows ads; Shadowrocket does not.
Which is updated more often, Shadowrocket or Potatso?
Shadowrocket ships an update weekly, and Potatso fortnightly. Most recently, Shadowrocket was updated on September 24, 2026 and Potatso on September 22, 2026.

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