Comparison

Shadowrocket vs VPN

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

VPN

This app provides intelligent network management for iOS devices. It allows users to easily import server nodes, switch proxy modes, and capture all network traffic. Advanced rule management enables precise control over connections and ad blocking.

Highlights
  • One-click server node import
  • Multiple proxy modes
  • HTTP, HTTPS, and TCP traffic capture
  • Advanced rule configuration
  • Traffic usage monitoring
  • Ad blocking
  • Local DNS mapping
Features
Read full description

English (Polished Promotional Version) FlyShadow – Your Smart Rule-Based Proxy Solution FlyShadow is a powerful, rule-based proxy client for iPhone and iPad, designed for seamless and intelligent network management. One-click import of server nodes for instant setup. Switch effortlessly between different proxy modes. Start your proxy connection with a single tap. Simple, intuitive interface – easy for anyone to use. Advanced Traffic Control & Rule Management Capture all HTTP, HTTPS, and TCP traffic from any app on your device, and redirect it to your proxy server. Configure precise rules using domain matches, domain suffixes, keywords, CIDR IP ranges, or GeoIP lookup. Monitor traffic usage and network speed across WiFi, cellular, direct, and proxy connections. Import rule files from URLs or iCloud Drive. Block ads efficiently using domain and user-agent rules. Local DNS mapping for faster and more reliable connections.

Screenshots

Shadowrocket4 screens
VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VPN at Free against Shadowrocket's $2.99. Shadowrocket's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 1.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On 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

VPN is free to download; Shadowrocket costs $2.99 up front. VPN sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Shadowrocket asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shadowrocket holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shadowrocket has 12K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Shadowrocket versus VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadowrocketVPN
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (12K ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews57.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#1 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB28 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperShadow Launch Technology LimitedOrangePlusZero LLC

Customer experience

Shadowrocket

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

VPN

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

VPN

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Shadowrocket

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

VPN

One-time10
  • Monthly Light Plan$2.99
  • Semi-Annual Light Plan$17.99
  • Semi-Annual Standard Plan$23.49
Show 7 more
  • Quarterly Premium Plan$24.99
  • Annual Light Plan$35.49
  • Lifetime Plan V2$42.49
  • Annual Standard Plan$46.49
  • Semi-Annual Premium Plan$48.49
  • Lifetime Plan V3$94.99
  • Annual Premium Plan$96.99

Questions

Is Shadowrocket free?
Shadowrocket costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VPN free?
VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shadowrocket or VPN?
Shadowrocket is rated higher. Shadowrocket averages 4.5 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while VPN averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Shadowrocket or VPN have ads?
Neither Shadowrocket nor VPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shadowrocket or VPN?
Shadowrocket ships an update weekly, and VPN weekly. Most recently, Shadowrocket was updated on September 24, 2026 and VPN on September 14, 2026.

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