Report updated May 5, 2026
1.1.1.1: Faster Internet
For mobile users seeking improved internet privacy, security against web-based threats, and reduced latency.
1.1.1.1: Faster Internet is an established utilities app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.5/5 rating from 215.4K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. Users particularly appreciate free access to the network service provides reliable connectivity for users in restricted regions, though frequent connection drops and unstable network performance following the latest update on mobile devices remains a common concern.
What is 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet?
1.1.1.1 is a mobile utility app that provides encrypted DNS and VPN-like traffic routing for improved privacy and speed.
Users hire this app to bypass regional restrictions and secure mobile traffic without the complexity or battery overhead of traditional VPNs.
Current Momentum
v6.31 · 2w ago
Maintenance- Added TCP fallback for MASQUE protocol.
- Disabled Cloudflare One Zero Trust login.
Active Nemesis
NordVPN: VPN Fast & Secure
By Nordvpn S.A.
Other Rivals
7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸
UtilitiesRating Pulse 🇺🇸
Recent User Mood
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
What Are The Key Features?
Access to a larger, optimized network of data centers to reduce latency and improve browsing speed
DNS-level filtering to block malware, phishing, and crypto-mining threats
Encrypts traffic leaving the device to prevent snooping on network activity
How much does it cost?
- Free 1.1.1.1 with WARP service
- Paid WARP+ subscription for unlimited data and access to larger network
Freemium model uses a paid-gate for performance-enhancing network access while offering free data via referral loops.
Who Built It?
Cloudflare
Securing and accelerating mobile internet traffic for consumers and enterprises through a global edge network.
Portfolio
3
Apps
What other apps does Cloudflare make?
Explore the full Cloudflare report
Portfolio breakdown, audience, momentum, and every app published by Cloudflare.
What do users think recently?
High confidence · 49 reviews analyzed
How did the latest release land?
What is the recent mood?
Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate free access to the network service provides reliable connectivity for users in restricted regions, but report frequent connection drops and unstable network performance following the latest update on mobile devices.
Limited review volume (49 reviews). Sentiment analysis will deepen as more data lands.
View the full user-sentiment analysis
Mood gauge, ratings & review-volume history, every praise / complaint / request, and sentiment over time.
What is the competitive landscape for 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet?
Where is it available?
Localized markets (1)
How's The Utilities Market?
How does it evolve in the Utilities market?
The app holds the #34 Free position in its category (↑3) but sits at #99 Free overall (↓43). This divergence signals that while the app maintains strong utility-category relevance, it struggles to sustain broad-market momentum against general-purpose privacy tools.
Rank progression
128 active rankings tracked — 30-day window
The rivals identified
Nemeses(1)
NordVPN is the most direct competitor in the premium VPN space, maintaining high release velocity and a massive, loyal user base.
Differentiators
- Offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity tools including Threat Protection and Meshnet beyond basic tunneling.
- Aggressive multi-platform ecosystem integration allows seamless switching between desktop and mobile security environments.
- Maintains a high-frequency release cadence of 13 updates in six months to ensure protocol stability.
Head to head
The target app must emphasize its speed and simplicity to differentiate from NordVPN's feature-heavy, security-suite approach.
Contenders(3)
Captures the high-volume, free-tier market segment with a focus on ease of use and accessibility.
Differentiators
- Focuses on a simplified, one-tap connection model that appeals to casual users avoiding complex configurations.
- Maintains a large user base by positioning itself as a low-friction, free-access alternative to premium services.
Aggressively bundling VPN services into a privacy-focused browser, creating a strong alternative for privacy-conscious users.
Differentiators
- Integrates VPN functionality directly into the browser experience, removing the need for a standalone utility app.
- Leverages a massive user base from its search engine and browser to cross-sell privacy features.
A premium-tier competitor with a strong focus on high-speed performance and consistent feature updates.
Differentiators
- Proprietary Lightway protocol optimizes connection speeds and battery life for mobile-first users.
- Maintains a consistent 16-release cadence over six months, signaling high investment in stability and performance.
Same space(2)
An adjacent utility that incorporates privacy and security features, competing for the user's default browser and connection preference.
Differentiators
- Integrates AI-powered search and browsing tools that provide value beyond simple connection privacy.
- Deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem provides a strong retention hook for enterprise and personal users.
A legacy security player that bundles VPN services within a broader device protection and antivirus ecosystem.
Differentiators
- Bundles VPN with identity theft protection and device security, appealing to users seeking all-in-one solutions.
- High update frequency indicates a focus on maintaining security standards across a wide range of devices.
New entrants(1)
Emerging as a specialized niche competitor by focusing on latency reduction for mobile gaming rather than general privacy.
Differentiators
- Targets the specific pain point of mobile gaming lag with specialized routing, differentiating from general-purpose VPNs.
- High release cadence of 13 updates in six months shows rapid iteration on game-specific connection optimizations.
Compare 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet against every rival
All rivals in one side-by-side table — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel — plus a head-to-head page for each.
The outtake for 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet
Strengths to defend, gaps to attack
Core Strengths
- Global network backbone provides superior latency
- One-touch interface minimizes onboarding friction
Critical Frictions
- High battery consumption during background use
- Unstable connection performance post-update
- Fragmented subscription management across platforms
Growth Levers
- Expand B2B security partnerships
- Integrate home screen widgets for connection state
Market Threats
- NordVPN’s high-frequency update cadence
- Browser-integrated VPNs reducing standalone utility need
What are the next best moves?
Rebuild connection stability logic because frequent drops are the top complaint → reduce churn
Connection drops are the #1 complaint theme in user sentiment data.
Trade-off: Pause the home screen widget development — stability is a retention-critical fix.
Audit battery consumption during background operations because heating reports are rising → improve rating baseline
Device heating and battery drain are the #2 complaint theme.
Trade-off: Same-quarter capacity available — no major lever displaced.
A counter-intuitive read
The app's #99 overall rank is not a failure but a reflection of its niche utility; its true moat is the global network backbone that competitors cannot replicate without massive infrastructure spend.
Feature Gaps vs Competitors
- Dedicated IP options (available in NordVPN but absent here)
- Double-hop encryption (available in NordVPN but absent here)
Key Takeaways
1.1.1.1 maintains a strong category lead through superior network latency, but the latest stability regressions threaten to drive users to more reliable rivals like NordVPN, so the PM must prioritize connection stability to defend the user base.
Where Is It Heading?
Declining
The mobile privacy market is consolidating around high-stability, multi-feature suites, leaving 1.1.1.1 exposed if it remains in maintenance-mode. The latest stability regressions signal a need for immediate technical remediation to prevent a permanent shift of the user base toward competitors with higher release cadences.
Connection instability following the latest update causes frequent drops, which increases churn pressure to more stable VPN competitors.
Device heating and battery drain reports during background usage erode user trust, leading to lower daily active usage.