Side-by-side comparison of eight popular clients

Clash Client Comparison and Selection

Start with the operating system, then check the core and maintenance status. For most users, Clash Plus is the first choice; with specific desktop needs, compare Clash Verge Rev, FlClash, and Clash Nyanpasu.

Download Clash Plus View Comparison Table

Match your device platform first
Prefer actively maintained projects
Use legacy clients only during migration

Selection Order

Three Checks

01
Platform Coverage
Confirm that Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or Linux has a corresponding installation option.
02
Project Maintenance
For new installations, choose an actively maintained client to reduce compatibility issues after system updates.
03
Required Features
For basic subscriptions and system proxy use, there is no need to add configuration complexity for advanced options.

Full Comparison

Platform, Core, and Maintenance

Use the table to quickly rule out clients that do not fit your current device. On mobile, swipe horizontally to view every column; maintenance status is a qualitative description, not a fixed release schedule.

Client	Platform Support	Core or Compatibility	Maintenance	Ease of Use	Standout Features	Best For
Clash Plus Top Pick	Windows、macOS、Android、iOS	mihomo compatibility	Actively maintained	Low	Cross-platform access, subscription management, rule mode, system proxy	First-time installers, multi-device users, everyday use
Clash Verge Rev	Windows、macOS、Linux	mihomo	Actively maintained	Medium	TUN, rule editing, configuration management, desktop tray	Desktop users who need advanced network options
FlClash	Windows、macOS、Linux、Android	mihomo	Actively maintained	Low to Medium	Desktop and Android support, consistent interface, basic rule management	Users who work across computers and Android devices
Clash Nyanpasu	Windows	mihomo	Actively maintained	Medium	Desktop configuration management, rule inspection, runtime logs	Users who prefer a desktop management interface and granular settings
Clash for Windows Discontinued	Windows	Original Clash	Discontinued	Low	Classic desktop interface, legacy configuration compatibility	Users migrating legacy configurations or maintaining an old setup
Clash Meta for Android	Android	Clash Meta	Discontinued	Medium	Mobile configuration import, per-app routing, Meta configuration compatibility	Users who need to preserve an existing Android configuration
Surfboard	Android	Rule-based proxy compatibility	Actively maintained	Medium to High	Rule configuration, proxy groups, mobile routing	Android users familiar with configuration files and routing logic
ClashX Meta Discontinued	macOS	Clash Meta	Discontinued	Low to Medium	Menu bar controls, familiar legacy macOS workflow	Users migrating a historical ClashX Meta setup

Bottom Line

Choose by Use Case

There is no universal rule that more features are better. System compatibility, maintenance status, and operational cost matter more than feature count.

Client-by-Client Notes

How the Eight Clients Differ

The notes below focus on practical selection criteria rather than version numbers, ratings, or fixed release dates.

Clash Plus

Top Pick

A balanced choice between broad platform coverage and a low learning curve.

Clash Plus is a strong first choice for most users. It covers popular desktop and mobile platforms while keeping the core workflow focused on subscription import, configuration updates, proxy mode, and system proxy settings. When switching between devices, users do not need to learn an entirely different workflow. For everyday connections and rule-based routing, this consistency is more useful than a collection of advanced options.

Before choosing, confirm the device architecture and system requirements. On desktop, distinguish between Windows, macOS Intel, and Apple Silicon; on mobile, install from the appropriate platform entry. After installation, start with rule mode, verify that the subscription updates correctly, and enable extensions such as TUN only when needed.

Clash Verge Rev

A full-featured desktop client for users who need TUN and configuration management.

Clash Verge Rev targets Windows, macOS, and Linux desktops and commonly works with the mihomo core. Its interface includes subscriptions, proxy groups, rules, connections, logs, and system proxy controls, making it suitable for users who want to handle most tasks in a graphical interface.

It offers more options than a basic client, so start with a minimal setup: import the subscription, select the configuration, use rule mode, and enable the system proxy. TUN mode involves administrator permissions, a virtual network interface, and DNS interception. Do not enable several advanced options at once before the basic proxy is working.

FlClash

Broad desktop and Android coverage with a relatively consistent interface.

FlClash stands out for supporting Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. When your devices are mainly a computer and an Android phone, it reduces the cost of relearning the interface after switching platforms. Subscription management, proxy group selection, logs, and common toggles follow the same interaction model.

Cross-platform support does not mean identical behavior on every system. Windows system proxy settings, macOS permission prompts, Linux desktop environments, and Android VPN authorization each have their own constraints. When troubleshooting, first determine whether the issue is an invalid subscription configuration or missing network permission from the operating system.

Clash Nyanpasu

Focused on Windows desktop management and granular settings.

Clash Nyanpasu suits users who want to inspect configurations, rules, connections, and runtime logs on a Windows desktop. It provides a broad set of management controls, making it easy to switch between configurations and investigate rule matches or connection errors.

If you only need to import one subscription and enable the system proxy, its extra management features may not provide much benefit. Choose it because you genuinely need desktop status management, log troubleshooting, or more granular settings—not simply because it has more options. For a first setup, keep the default core parameters and change only settings you clearly understand.

Clash for Windows

Discontinued

A classic Windows client now best suited to legacy environment migration.

Clash for Windows established a widely used desktop workflow, and many legacy tutorials and configuration files use its interface as a reference. Because the project is discontinued, installations on newer systems, changing permission models, and future compatibility issues will not be addressed at the pace of an active project.

If you still use a legacy setup, save the subscription URL, custom rules, override settings, and necessary configuration copies before migrating to Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev, or another actively maintained client. After migration, do not enable every feature at once. First confirm that rule mode and the system proxy work correctly, then restore custom settings one by one.

Clash Meta for Android

Discontinued

For compatibility with existing Android configurations, not recommended for new installations.

Clash Meta for Android targets Android and supports Meta configurations and mobile VPN takeover. For users who still rely on legacy subscriptions, per-app routing settings, or a specific configuration structure, it can serve as a bridge from an older setup.

After the project stopped being maintained, changes to Android background restrictions, VPN permissions, and battery management may cause compatibility differences. For a new installation, compare Clash Plus, FlClash, and Surfboard first. During migration, recheck per-app routing, DNS, and always-on VPN settings instead of assuming that legacy options will carry over completely.

Surfboard

For Android users familiar with rules, proxy groups, and configuration files.

Surfboard is an Android rule-based proxy client with concepts that overlap with the Clash ecosystem, but its supported syntax and behavior should not be assumed to be identical. Users familiar with rule matching, proxy groups, and remote configurations will find its workflow easier to understand.

Before importing an existing configuration, confirm that its format and fields are supported by the client. If import fails or rules do not take effect, validate the basic connection with a minimal configuration first, then add DNS, rule sets, and advanced options section by section. It is better suited to users willing to read configuration content and is not the default choice for every beginner.

ClashX Meta

Discontinued

A legacy client that preserves the macOS menu bar workflow.

ClashX Meta centers on macOS menu bar controls and suits legacy setups built around the ClashX workflow. Common actions are easy to access, but its discontinued status makes it unsuitable as a long-term first choice for a new device.

During migration, distinguish between Intel and Apple Silicon devices, then recheck system proxy permissions, login items, and network extension settings. If you want to continue using a graphical desktop client, consider Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev, or FlClash first. After migration is complete, remove startup items left behind by the old client.

Selection Checklist

Four Things to Check Before Downloading

Clients may have similar names, but their platform support, core direction, and configuration behavior are not identical. Confirming these four points can reduce repeated installations and migrations.

Check the Operating System and Processor
On macOS, distinguish between Intel and Apple Silicon; Android packages may vary by processor architecture; on Linux, also confirm the package format.
Check the Subscription and Configuration Format
Your subscription provider should offer a configuration recognized by Clash or mihomo. A configuration for another client cannot be used simply by changing its file extension.
Check Whether You Need TUN
For ordinary browsers and most desktop applications, start with the system proxy. Evaluate TUN only for programs that cannot follow system proxy settings.
Check What Needs to Be Migrated
Users of legacy clients should save custom rules, override configurations, and subscription URLs. Node selection and proxy group state usually need to be checked again in the new client.

Best for Most Users

Download Clash Plus First

For a first installation, cross-device use, or a simpler workflow between interfaces, start with Clash Plus. If you have specific advanced desktop needs, compare Clash Verge Rev, FlClash, and Clash Nyanpasu. Use legacy clients only as a bridge from an old setup.

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