Client Selection · 8-Way Comparison

Clash Client Comparison & Selection Guide

Eight popular Clash clients side by side, compared on platform support, core, maintenance status, ease of use, standout features, and target users. Start with the verdict, pick by scenario, then grab the installer from the download page.

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8-Way Client Comparison

Platform and core determine what you can install; maintenance status determines how long it stays usable; ease of use determines the learning curve. All entries below are qualitative and do not reference specific version numbers or release dates. Maintenance status reflects the update cadence of each project's official repository and distribution channels.

Client	Platform	Core	Maintenance	Ease of Use	Standout Features	Best For
Clash Plus	Windows / macOS / Android / iOS	mihomo	Actively Maintained	Low	Unified across 4 platforms, on the App Store	Multi-device & iOS users
Clash Verge Rev	Windows / macOS / Linux	mihomo	Actively Maintained	Medium	TUN, Fake-IP, visual config	Advanced desktop users
FlClash	Windows / macOS / Android / Linux	mihomo	Actively Maintained	Low	Unified mobile/desktop UI, lightweight	Lightweight cross-platform users
Clash Nyanpasu	Windows	mihomo	Actively Maintained	Medium	Visual config, compact UI	Windows desktop users
Clash for Windows	Windows	Original Clash	Discontinued	Low	Classic, simple interface	Users migrating from legacy setups
Clash Meta for Android	Android	mihomo	Actively Maintained	Medium	Subscription groups, policy groups, TUN	Advanced Android users
Surfboard	Android	Original Clash	Maintained	Medium	Clash rule compatible, low footprint	Lightweight Android users
ClashX Meta	macOS	mihomo	Discontinued	Medium	Menu bar operation, rule routing	Legacy macOS users

Client-by-Client Reviews & Use Cases

One review per client, covering what it does well, where it falls short, and who it suits. Reviews stick to facts and hands-on impressions, with no version numbers or ratings.

Top Pick

Clash Plus

All platforms unified · mihomo core

Clash Plus currently covers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it the only one of the eight officially listed on the App Store. All four platforms share the same interface and rule system, so subscription import, policy group switching, and TUN mode work out of the box with little to no manual config editing. The built-in mihomo core ensures broad subscription format compatibility. If you want a consistent experience across phone and desktop, or your main device is an iPhone, Clash Plus is the easiest choice.

Platform: Windows / macOS / Android / iOS
Core: mihomo
Maintenance: Actively maintained
Ease of Use: Low
Standout Features: Unified across 4 platforms, on the App Store
Best For: Multi-device & iOS users

Advanced Desktop

Clash Verge Rev

Desktop on 3 platforms · Visual config

Clash Verge Rev is an advanced desktop client for Windows, macOS, and Linux, powered by mihomo. Its strength is configuration management: TUN mode, system proxy, Fake-IP, and rule-set subscriptions are all handled in the GUI, and config files support visual editing with instant effect. For anyone who needs fine-grained control over routing rules or frequently tweaks policy groups, this interface is far more efficient than hand-editing YAML. It takes a little conceptual groundwork to get started, but the docs and in-app hints are thorough.

Platform: Windows / macOS / Linux
Core: mihomo
Maintenance: Actively maintained
Ease of Use: Medium
Standout Features: TUN, Fake-IP, visual config
Best For: Advanced desktop users

Lightweight Cross-Platform

FlClash

Lightweight on 4 platforms · Modern UI

FlClash is a cross-platform client with frequent updates, covering Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux. Its modern light-themed UI keeps mobile and desktop layouts consistent, so first-time users can get going with almost no learning curve. The built-in mihomo core turns subscription updates, node speed tests, and rule switching into straightforward buttons, with no need to touch config files. For users who want one lightweight client on both phone and desktop without deep customization, FlClash offers great value.

Platform: Windows / macOS / Android / Linux
Core: mihomo
Maintenance: Actively maintained
Ease of Use: Low
Standout Features: Unified mobile & desktop UI
Best For: Lightweight cross-platform users

Lightweight Desktop

Clash Nyanpasu

Windows desktop · Compact UI

Clash Nyanpasu is a Windows desktop client that carries on the visual configuration approach of the Clash Verge series, with dedicated GUIs for policy groups, rules, and subscription management. Built on mihomo, it supports TUN mode and system proxy switching, and its compact layout keeps startup and switching snappy. It suits users who already understand Clash config concepts and want a lighter desktop package on Windows. The download page currently offers the Windows build.

Platform: Windows
Core: mihomo
Maintenance: Actively maintained
Ease of Use: Medium
Standout Features: Visual config, compact UI
Best For: Windows desktop users

Discontinued

Clash for Windows

Classic · Archived

Clash for Windows is the best-known legacy Windows client in the Clash ecosystem, with a clean interface and low barrier to entry - for many users it was their first Clash client. The project is no longer maintained and no new versions are released; its config format remains stuck in the old Clash core era, so some newer subscription formats and protocol features can't be parsed. If it's already installed and working fine, keep using it; for new machines, pick a client that's still maintained.

Platform: Windows
Core: Original Clash
Maintenance: Discontinued
Ease of Use: Low
Standout Features: Classic, simple interface
Best For: Users migrating from legacy setups

Advanced Android

Clash Meta for Android

Native Android · Deep customization

Clash Meta for Android is a long-standing Android client that runs directly on mihomo, supporting subscription groups, policy group switching, rule editing, and TUN mode. Its interface is function-first with plenty of settings, making it a good fit for Android users willing to invest time in understanding proxy concepts. Compared with other clients on the same platform, CMFA has more thorough documentation and community discussion, so solutions are easier to find when issues come up.

Platform: Android
Core: mihomo
Maintenance: Actively maintained
Ease of Use: Medium
Standout Features: Subscription groups, policy groups, TUN
Best For: Advanced Android users

Lightweight & Efficient

Surfboard

Lightweight Android · Rule compatible

Surfboard is developed by the original Clash author's team as a lightweight Android proxy client. It's compatible with Clash rule syntax and subscription formats, so existing config files can be reused as-is. Its interface is simpler than comparable clients and background resource usage is lower, making it a good fit for older phones or Android users who don't want to fuss with complex settings. Feature updates come slowly, but core scenarios like everyday proxying and rule routing remain stable.

Platform: Android
Core: Original Clash
Maintenance: Maintained
Ease of Use: Medium
Standout Features: Clash rule compatible, low footprint
Best For: Lightweight Android users

Discontinued

ClashX Meta

macOS menu bar · Archived

ClashX Meta is a classic macOS menu bar client powered by mihomo, supporting rule routing, TUN mode, and subscription management. The system proxy toggle sits right in the menu bar, keeping the workflow short. The project is discontinued and no longer tracks upstream core updates. Users who have it running stably can keep it; for new setups, choose a maintained macOS client such as Clash Plus or Clash Verge Rev.

Platform: macOS
Core: mihomo
Maintenance: Discontinued
Ease of Use: Medium
Standout Features: Menu bar operation, rule routing
Best For: Legacy macOS users

Pick by Use Case

Different habits call for different clients. Four scenarios cover most users - find the one closest to your situation and head to the matching platform on the download page.

First-time Clash users

Start with Clash Plus or FlClash: both ship with the mihomo core, work right after importing a subscription, and rely mostly on toggles and buttons rather than config files. Get comfortable with subscription import, system proxy, and TUN mode first, then move on to deeper rule customization.

Advanced users who need fine-grained rule control

Go with Clash Verge Rev. Its visual configuration is highly capable - TUN, Fake-IP, and rule-set subscriptions are all handled in the UI, with instant feedback on config changes. For writing your own rules, managing policy groups, and debugging DNS, this toolset is far more comfortable than plain-text editing. For advanced techniques, see Advanced Usage.

Multi-device users who want a consistent experience

Choose Clash Plus. All four platforms share one configuration system, so policy groups and rules stay identical across phone and desktop, and the iOS build ships through the official App Store channel with a clear update path. No need to learn a different client on each device.

Older or low-spec devices

Prioritize FlClash (desktop) or Surfboard (Android). Both have lightweight interfaces and low background usage while keeping core features like subscriptions, speed tests, and rule routing fully intact, without flashy extras. They run more smoothly on older hardware and cover everyday needs.

Comparison FAQ

Frequently asked questions about choosing a client. For installation and configuration issues, see the FAQ page and user guide.

Clash for Windows is no longer updated - can I still use it?

Yes. An installed CFW still works for daily use - subscription updates and basic proxying remain functional. But since no new versions are released, the old core will gradually fall behind on newer subscription formats and protocol features. For new machines, pick a client that's actively maintained.

How do I choose between Clash Plus and Clash Verge Rev?

It depends on your platforms and configuration needs. If you need iOS or a unified experience across all four platforms, choose Clash Plus. If you mainly work on Windows, macOS, or Linux desktops and need deep rule and config editing, choose Clash Verge Rev. Both run on mihomo, so subscriptions are interchangeable.

Which Clash client can I use on iOS?

Clash Plus is officially available on the App Store - just search for Clash Plus and install it. Desktop and mobile share the same configuration system, so you can start using it right after importing a subscription.

Can different clients share the same subscription link?

Yes. All eight clients above are compatible with the Clash subscription format, so the same subscription link can be imported into any of them. When the subscription expires or traffic changes, just refresh it in the client.

Verdict

Top Pick for Daily Use: Clash Plus

Among the eight clients, Clash Plus is the only one that covers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS while staying actively maintained: unified interface, built-in mihomo core, low learning curve, and an official App Store channel on iOS. Users who need deep configuration can pair it with Clash Verge Rev on desktop - both share the same subscription without conflicts.

Go to Download Page Subscription Import Guide

Recommended Client: Clash Plus
Platform: Windows / macOS / Android / iOS
Core: mihomo
Maintenance: Actively maintained
Distribution: Official site & App Store
Desktop Alternative: Clash Verge Rev