| Core Identity |
| Developer | DuckDuckGo, Inc. | prosafe ltd | XTreme Team | Potatso Lab LTD | techlaim | Free VPN LLC | F5 Networks, Inc. | Appgate Cybersecurity, Inc | SOTI Inc. | Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. |
| Category | Utilities | Utilities | Tools | Utilities | Utilities | Utilities | Business | Business | Business | Business |
| Platform | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android | iOS | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | iOS | iOS, Android |
| Store Metrics |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 1.7 / 5 | 0.0 / 5 | 0.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Ratings Count | 2,325,699 | 159 | 69 | 6,058 | 98,883 | 452,518 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 186 |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Release Date | Jun 27, 2013 | Dec 3, 2023 | Feb 12, 2023 | Jun 1, 2017 | Apr 7, 2023 | Nov 16, 2015 | Mar 12, 2018 | Aug 11, 2022 | Apr 24, 2026 | Oct 3, 2015 |
| Last Updated | May 11, 2026 | May 7, 2026 | Mar 28, 2026 | Jan 6, 2026 | Jun 29, 2026 | Jun 6, 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | Apr 10, 2026 | Apr 24, 2026 | May 13, 2026 |
| Sentiment & Reviews |
| Sentiment | positive | mixed | - | positive | positive | mixed | negative | - | - | negative |
| Score | 75/100 | 75/100 | - | 80/100 | 80/100 | 55/100 | 25/100 | - | - | 25/100 |
| Praises | - Privacy-focused browsing experience effectively blocks trackers and intrusive advertisements for users
| - Simple one-tap DNS switching provides immediate privacy benefits for casual mobile users
| - | - Granular proxy protocol flexibility
| - Advanced protocol support
| - Free access to VPN services after watching short advertisements provides high value for casual users
| - Always connected mode provides reliable background VPN access after the latest update
| - | - | - Effective detection of malicious network gateways and suspicious public Wi-Fi hotspots
|
| Complaints | - Screen flickering during page loads and tracker blocking animations disrupts the browsing flow
| - Application crashes and connection failures occur frequently following the latest update
| - | - High barrier to entry for beginners
| - Manual configuration complexity
| - Connection instability and failure to establish secure tunnels following the latest update on mobile devices
| - Persistent connection failures and infinite loading loops break the core VPN utility
- Mandatory device administrator permissions cause friction and privacy concerns for personal devices
| - | - | - Excessive battery consumption following background activity in recent software builds
- False positive malware flags preventing access to essential corporate applications
|
| Requests | - Background video playback support allows users to listen to media while using other apps
| - Removal of intrusive advertisements to restore the original lightweight user experience
| - | - | | - Improved transparency regarding data privacy and user anonymity while connected to the VPN service
| - Passkey authentication support requested to modernize the current login experience
| - | - | - Technical documentation explaining specific security changes and background resource usage
|
| Strategic Intel |
| Strengths | - Editors' Choice badge across five markets sustains organic install velocity
- Local-device tracker blocking functions as a privacy-first distribution moat
| - Granular DNS provider control enables power-user retention
- Lightweight utility focus minimizes system latency
| - | - Granular protocol support for Shadowsocks/SSR [Power-user segment]
- Smart routing rules for domestic traffic [Retention loop]
- Lightweight background operation [Performance baseline]
| - Advanced protocol support (Reality/Hysteria2) enables access in restrictive environments
- High-performance proxy engine attracts technical power-user segment
- No-log policy builds trust with privacy-conscious users
| - High-frequency ad-supported model sustains organic install velocity
- One-tap connection interface minimizes user-onboarding friction
- Global server coverage enables effective regional content bypass
| - Established BIG-IP infrastructure compatibility
- Deep enterprise security compliance
- Granular IT-enforced device lockdown
| - | - MobiControl integration creates high switching costs for existing enterprise customers
- SOTI Identity SSO reduces credential management overhead for multi-shift fleets
| - Enterprise-grade compliance enforcement absent in consumer tools
- Deep integration with corporate identity and access management systems
|
| Weaknesses | - 0.7★ Android-iOS rating gap on majority Android base
- Screen flickering and navigation regressions post-update
- No cloud-save functionality despite user requests
| - Premium tier pricing at $2.99/week exceeds category medians
- IPv6 input validation errors block technical power users
| - | - Manual configuration requirement [Onboarding friction]
- No revenue model [Sustainability risk]
- Limited documentation [Support cost]
| - Manual configuration requirement creates high churn risk for non-technical users
- Lack of automated routing rules forces constant manual intervention
- Ad-supported free tier degrades the utility experience
| - Connection handshake failures in the latest release
- Aggressive subscription billing friction
- Degraded ad-to-time conversion ratios
| - Persistent connection-stalling bugs
- Forced administrative permissions
- Poor dark mode accessibility
| - | - Zero public rating count limits social proof for new enterprise prospects
- Advanced performance features gated behind high-tier enterprise service contracts
| - High battery drain post-update
- False-positive flags blocking essential work apps
- System performance degradation across multiple device models
|
| Pricing | subscription | freemium | free | free | freemium | freemium | free | free | subscription | free |
| Momentum | Active | Maintenance | - | - | Maintenance | Maintenance | Maintenance | Active | - | Active |
| Update Cadence | 5 versions, ~9d avg | 2 versions, ~35d avg | - | - | 2 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~2d avg | 5 versions, ~66d avg | 2 versions, ~22d avg | 5 versions | - | 3 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~11d avg |
