Comparison

Shadowrocket vs StarThing

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

StarThing

Features
Read full description

StarThing makes device management more convenient A one-stop management platform for equipment, inventory, customers, and sales data makes equipment management more convenient and site operation simpler. Introduction: StarThing APP is an intelligent management platform designed for various categories of self-service devices, including entertainment, lifestyle, retail, and travel.With just one mobile phone, you can easily manage all your devices, monitor their status, real-time inventory, sales figures, and interact efficiently with your customers.Our goal is to significantly reduce merchants' operating costs, substantially improve management efficiency, and allow you to focus more time and money on business growth. - All-category equipment management - Multi-category support: It is perfectly compatible with various equipment types, such as entertainment machines, life service equipment, and retail vending machines, including claw machines, washing machines, self-service vending machines, and self-service coffee machines, and can be managed uniformly on one platform. - Real-time status monitoring:Remotely monitor equipment status and fault status, receive instant fault warnings and rapid response to ensure uninterrupted business operations and make things easier for merchants. - Remote control and settings: It supports remote operation and parameter adjustment of equipment, greatly increasing management efficiency. - Smart Inventory and Sales - Inventory is clearly displayed: Product inventory and equipment sales data are synchronized in real time and automatically deducted. - Clear data reports: By analyzing data and generating reports based on multiple dimensions such as store, time period, and equipment, operational results are readily apparent, aiding in precise decision-making. - Customer Interaction and Growth - Membership management tools: It supports marketing functions such as membership points, recharge discounts, and package deals, directly boosting revenue growth. - Mobile collaborative office - More convenient management: Breaking the limitations of time and space, bosses, store managers, and employees can handle business anytime, anywhere via their mobile phones. - Flexible role and permission configuration: It allows setting corresponding operating permissions for employees in different positions, making responsibilities clear and management more standardized. - Language barrier - StarThing offers multiple language versions, ensuring a seamless experience when using our services. - Privacy and Support - We highly value your data security and privacy; all data transmissions are encrypted. - For any assistance or valuable suggestions, please feel free to contact us through the in-app "Feedback" or official customer service channels. Every piece of feedback you provide is a driving force for our improvement. - Our mission: Make devices smarter and life better. For more information about StarThing, please visit: https://global.starthing.com

Screenshots

Shadowrocket4 screens
StarThing3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: StarThing at Free against Shadowrocket's $2.99. StarThing also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). Shadowrocket's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks) and chart position (#1 vs unranked). On 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

StarThing is free to download; Shadowrocket costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shadowrocket ships an update weekly, StarThing every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Shadowrocket versus StarThing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadowrocketStarThing
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (12K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#1 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShadow Launch Technology LimitedSTARTHING PTE. LTD.

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

StarThing

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Shadowrocket

No in-app purchases

None

StarThing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shadowrocket free?
Shadowrocket costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is StarThing free?
StarThing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Shadowrocket or StarThing have ads?
Neither Shadowrocket nor StarThing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shadowrocket or StarThing?
Shadowrocket ships an update weekly, and StarThing every 6 weeks. Most recently, Shadowrocket was updated on October 15, 2026 and StarThing on September 29, 2026.

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