Clash clients compared

Clash Plus is available here for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Start by checking support for each of your devices in one place, rather than sorting through clients with similar names. On first use, confirm that your subscription imports and your chosen node connects before adjusting rules or traffic routing. There is no need to enable several advanced features at once.

Cross-platform availability does not mean identical core fields, background behavior, or interfaces on every device. If your configuration relies on specific mihomo fields, complex rule sets, or script extensions, check the documentation for each platform; do not assume compatibility based on the product name alone. The iOS download link on our download page goes to the App Store. See clashplus.io for product details. This is our pick for everyday use, not a ranking of protocol coverage or speed.

Clash Verge Rev uses the mihomo core, making it a good fit if you want to keep using Clash YAML while taking advantage of newer protocols and rule features. Configuration, proxies, connections, and logs each have their own section. When troubleshooting, first confirm that the configuration is active, then check which rule matched the connection—rather than simply switching nodes and overlooking the routing result. If you layer local changes onto a subscription, keep the original subscription separate from the runtime configuration generated by the client.

TUN and service mode can route more traffic, but also add permission, virtual network adapter, and routing issues to troubleshoot. If only your browser needs a proxy, start with the system proxy. Consider TUN only if an app does not respect system proxy settings. This client suits in-depth desktop management; having more options does not automatically make it lighter on system resources than a simpler client.

FlClash uses the mihomo core, with download links here for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. For users already familiar with Clash configurations who want a more consistent interface across devices, it can be easier to build a routine with FlClash than to learn a different client for every operating system. After importing, check the active configuration, policy group, and rule mode. A successful import does not guarantee that all traffic is being handled as expected.

A similar interface can make workflows feel consistent, but it cannot eliminate differences between operating systems. Android requires VPN permission and is affected by battery policies; desktop users need to account for service permissions, system proxy settings, and virtual network adapters. If you plan to reuse a configuration, separate common rules from device-specific settings. In particular, do not blindly copy listen addresses, ports, or LAN access options.

Clash Nyanpasu offers desktop configuration organization and customization; our download list includes a Windows link. Evaluate the client interface separately from the core in use: seeing a setting in the interface does not mean the active core accepts the corresponding field, and core-supported parameters may not all be exposed as GUI toggles. Before importing a complex subscription, confirm the active core and check its logs.

This approach is useful if you regularly manage multiple configurations, adjust local overrides, or compare core behavior. If you only import a subscription and connect occasionally, extra controls may add complexity. Before migrating, keep the original subscription and restore extensions one at a time. This helps avoid copying client-specific processing chains that make issues harder to diagnose.

Clash for Windows appears often in older tutorials, but its default original Clash-family core cannot be assumed to support current mihomo protocols and fields. A legacy configuration that still works does not mean the core will recognize newer node types, DNS options, or rule-set syntax. If a field is unsupported, check the core's capabilities first rather than repeatedly changing server addresses or assuming the subscription has expired.

For a legacy setup that is still in use, note its ports, mode, subscription source, and local rules before migrating. Import the original configuration into the new client and verify it before closing the old one. Do not let both apps manage the system proxy or compete for the same listening port. The archived download is useful for migration and reference—not a recommendation to keep running an unmaintained client indefinitely.

Clash Meta for Android, often abbreviated CMFA, is a client in the Meta/mihomo family. Its key settings are Android VPN permission, configuration selection, and per-app routing—not the desktop-style system proxy toggle. After importing a subscription, make sure the intended configuration is selected before starting the service. Seeing a new item in the subscription list does not prove that the app is running it in the background.

Mobile connection drops can also result from battery-saving settings, background app cleanup, another VPN app, or switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Check the service status and logs before changing background restrictions. Per-app routing determines which apps are captured; domain rules in the configuration determine how captured traffic is handled. These are separate layers, not one setting.

Surfboard appearing in the same download list does not mean it uses a Clash core. It has an independent implementation and uses Surge-style configuration; Clash YAML files are not equivalent inputs. If you already have a compatible configuration, Surfboard can fit into your existing workflow. If you only have a Clash subscription, resolve the format and field differences before switching.

Converting formats does not guarantee that every feature will carry over. Recheck protocol parameters, rule types, policy group behavior, and DNS settings; successful import alone is not enough to validate a conversion. If you are switching configuration formats just for a different interface, migration usually takes more work than choosing a client compatible with your existing subscription. Take extra care when choosing a conversion method for private subscription links.

ClashX Meta is designed around the macOS menu bar and uses a Meta-family core. Its simple controls may suit users already familiar with configuration files, but that does not mean it supports every current mihomo feature. Supported protocols and parameters depend on the bundled core. If a newer subscription uses unfamiliar fields, first check whether they are beyond the archived core's capabilities.

For migration, import the same subscription into Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev, or FlClash, then compare policy groups and rule matches before deciding whether to restore your manual settings. Choose the right installer for Apple Silicon or Intel, and check system permissions and proxy restoration. A minimal menu bar and lightweight interface do not replace checking system compatibility and maintenance status.