Comparison

Shadowrocket vs Karing

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

Karing

This utility app enhances network proxy management by offering compatibility with various protocols like Clash, V2ray, and Shadowsocks. It automatically selects efficient nodes based on routing rules and supports custom configurations, making advanced proxy management accessible.

Highlights
  • Clash, V2ray, Shadowsocks compatibility
  • Automatic efficient node selection
  • Customizable routing rules
  • Multi-device synchronization
  • Novice-friendly configuration modes
  • Import/export ZIP files
Features
Read full description

1. Compatible with Clash, V2ray/V2fly, Sing-box, Shadowsocks, Sub, Github Subscriptions. 2. Full clash config supported, Partial clash.meta config supported. 3. A set of routing rules applied to multiple subscription sources automatically selects efficient nodes. 4. Supports custom routing rule groups and node groups. 5. Customizes default routing rule groups for novice users - ready to use right out of the box. 6.Backup and synchronization, synchronizing multiple devices with a single configuration. 7. Supports iCloud/ Local area network/WebDAV synchronization. 8. Supports importing/exporting ZIP files. 9. novice mode for simpler configuration. 10. https://karing.app

Screenshots

Shadowrocket4 screens
Karing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Karing at Free against Shadowrocket's $2.99. Karing also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 58%). Shadowrocket's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 698) and chart position (#1 vs unranked). On rating, 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Shadowrocket against 4.6 for Karing. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shadowrocket has 12K ratings behind it against 698, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 58% of Shadowrocket's written reviews are positive against 74% of Karing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shadowrocket ships an update every 10 days, Karing fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Shadowrocket versus Karing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadowrocketKaring
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (12K ratings)4.6 (698 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.6% of reviews73.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better698
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#1 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB146 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperShadow Launch Technology LimitedSupernova Nebula LLC

Customer experience

Shadowrocket

All ratings12,216 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews1,461 reviews
Positive57.6%
Neutral10.1%
Negative32.3%

Karing

All ratings679 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral2.7%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews303 reviews
Positive73.6%
Neutral7.3%
Negative19.1%

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

Karing

From 698 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 High speed
  • 👍 Simple and strong app
  • 👍 Powerful, good alternative to V2Box
  • 👍 User-friendly for beginners
  • 👍 Best proxy software

Room to improve

  • 🐛 High battery drain
  • 🐛 Occasional disconnections
  • 🐛 Subscription nodes not supported
  • 🐛 Diversion rules not user-friendly
  • 🐛 Crashes and unable to connect

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

Karing

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription nodes disappearing
  • Warp not working
  • Unable to pass 'Preset - Custom diversion group' page
  • Incompatibility with some apps when network sharing is enabled

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add widget support
  • Add Brook and SSH protocols
  • Add ability to toggle off when phone is locked
  • Add option to disable servers in subscriptions
  • Add on-demand rules or disconnect on screen lock
Show 2 more
  • Support older iOS versions
  • Improve UI and make it more visually appealing

In-app purchases

None

Shadowrocket

No in-app purchases

None

Karing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shadowrocket free?
Shadowrocket costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Karing free?
Karing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Shadowrocket or Karing?
Karing is rated higher. Shadowrocket averages 4.5 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Karing averages 4.6 from 698 ratings.
Do Shadowrocket or Karing have ads?
Neither Shadowrocket nor Karing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shadowrocket or Karing?
Shadowrocket ships an update every 10 days, and Karing fortnightly. Most recently, Shadowrocket was updated on November 1, 2026 and Karing on October 30, 2026.

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