Shadowrocket vs VPN
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Shadowrocket | VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (12K ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 57.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #1 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Shadow Launch Technology Limited | OrangePlusZero LLC |
Customer experience
Shadowrocket
VPN
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
Shadowrocket
No in-app purchases
VPN
- Monthly Light Plan$2.99
- Semi-Annual Light Plan$17.99
- Semi-Annual Standard Plan$23.49
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- 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









