| Core Identity |
| Developer | techlaim | DuckDuckGo, Inc. | prosafe ltd | AnchorFree Inc. | Free VPN LLC | Potatso Lab LTD | F5 Networks, Inc. | SOTI Inc. | KeepSolid Inc. | Mehmet Bayram |
| Category | Utilities | Utilities | Utilities | Productivity | Utilities | Utilities | Business | Business | Productivity | Utilities |
| Platform | iOS, Android | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | iOS | iOS, Android | iOS | Android, iOS | iOS | iOS, Android | iOS |
| Store Metrics |
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 | 1.7 / 5 | 0.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Ratings Count | 98,883 | 2,325,699 | 159 | 351,785 | 452,518 | 6,058 | 13 | 0 | 22 | 9 |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Release Date | Apr 7, 2023 | Jun 27, 2013 | Dec 3, 2023 | Oct 29, 2011 | Nov 16, 2015 | Jun 1, 2017 | Mar 12, 2018 | Apr 24, 2026 | Jul 12, 2021 | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Last Updated | Jun 29, 2026 | May 11, 2026 | May 7, 2026 | Apr 27, 2026 | Jun 6, 2026 | Jan 6, 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | Apr 24, 2026 | Jun 1, 2022 | Apr 11, 2026 |
| Sentiment & Reviews |
| Sentiment | positive | positive | mixed | mixed | mixed | positive | negative | - | mixed | - |
| Score | 80/100 | 75/100 | 75/100 | 65/100 | 55/100 | 80/100 | 25/100 | - | 45/100 | - |
| Praises | - Advanced protocol support
| - 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
| - Reliable connection speeds allow users to bypass network restrictions in restrictive environments
- Ad-supported free tier provides accessible privacy protection without upfront costs
| - Free access to VPN services after watching short advertisements provides high value for casual users
| - Granular proxy protocol flexibility
| - Always connected mode provides reliable background VPN access after the latest update
| - | - Effective DNS-based traffic filtering provides users with granular control over background application data usage
| - |
| Complaints | - Manual configuration complexity
| - Screen flickering during page loads and tracker blocking animations disrupts the browsing flow
| - Application crashes and connection failures occur frequently following the latest update
| - Aggressive ad loops and connection drops frustrate users on the free tier
- Deceptive subscription practices make canceling trials difficult for casual users
- Performance degradation and connectivity failures following the latest update
| - Connection instability and failure to establish secure tunnels following the latest update on mobile devices
| - High barrier to entry for beginners
| - Persistent connection failures and infinite loading loops break the core VPN utility
- Mandatory device administrator permissions cause friction and privacy concerns for personal devices
| - | - Frequent application crashes and connectivity timeouts disrupt the firewall protection after the latest update
| - |
| 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
| - | - Ability to import custom domain blocklists to improve ad-blocking and content filtering efficacy
| - |
| Strategic Intel |
| Strengths | - 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
| - 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
| - Hydra Protocol performance justifies premium pricing
- 10-device limit increases household penetration
- 1800+ server network supports global content unblocking
| - 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
| - Granular protocol support for Shadowsocks/SSR [Power-user segment]
- Smart routing rules for domestic traffic [Retention loop]
- Lightweight background operation [Performance baseline]
| - 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
| - MonoDefense bundle integration drives cross-sell revenue
- Multi-platform support enables household-level subscription adoption
| - |
| Weaknesses | - 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
| - 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
| - Premium tier at $95.99/year above category median
- Aggressive ad-looping on free tier triggers churn
- Recent update stability regressions erode trust
| - Connection handshake failures in the latest release
- Aggressive subscription billing friction
- Degraded ad-to-time conversion ratios
| - Manual configuration requirement [Onboarding friction]
- No revenue model [Sustainability risk]
- Limited documentation [Support cost]
| - 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
| - 3.8★ Android rating reflects stability regressions
- Aggressive trial-to-subscription prompts create high churn
| - |
| Pricing | freemium | subscription | freemium | freemium | freemium | free | free | subscription | subscription | free |
| Momentum | Maintenance | Active | Maintenance | Active | Maintenance | - | Maintenance | - | - | - |
| Update Cadence | 2 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~2d avg | 5 versions, ~9d avg | 2 versions, ~35d avg | 5 versions, ~19d avg | 5 versions, ~66d avg | - | 2 versions, ~22d avg | - | - | - |
