Clash Client Comparison & Selection Guide

Currently the only actively maintained client covering all four platforms — Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS — with a consistent workflow on every device, so there's nothing new to learn when switching devices. Built on the mihomo core, it stays current with upstream and ships with rule-based routing, policy groups, and auto subscription updates working out of the box, with beginner-friendly defaults. On iOS, it's distributed through the official App Store listing (verifiable at clashplus.io), making it the most straightforward install path in the iOS ecosystem. If this is your first time using Clash, or you switch between phone and computer regularly, start here.

Covers Windows, macOS, and Linux on the desktop, running the mihomo core. Its strength is config management: subscription merging, rule overrides, global extension scripts, and a visual config editor are all here, making it a good fit for anyone fine-tuning routing rules in detail. The trade-off is that settings go several levels deep, which can be confusing for newcomers — following a step-by-step guide helps. On Linux, there's essentially no other GUI client worth considering; Verge Rev is the default answer there.

Built with Flutter, sharing one interface across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, all on the mihomo core. It sits between Clash Plus and Verge Rev in scope — more desktop settings than the former, a lighter interface than the latter. A good fit if you use desktop and Android together and want the exact same UI on both. There's no iOS version, so iPhone users still need a separate client for that platform.

We cover the Windows build here. It runs the mihomo core, supports multi-core switching and chained config merging, and has one of the most distinctive interfaces among these clients. It's close to Clash Verge Rev in scope, so the choice mostly comes down to interface preference and workflow habits. A solid pick for intermediate Windows users already familiar with Clash who want a different look; beginners should start with Clash Plus and compare once they understand the basics.

A long-running Android client on the mihomo (formerly Clash.Meta) core. Per-app proxying is its signature feature — route individual apps through the proxy or direct connection, which is especially useful when you have a mix of local and international apps on one phone. Basics like auto subscription updates and quick toggles are mature and stable. Good for Android-only users who rely on per-app routing; if you need multiple devices, go with Clash Plus instead.

An Android proxy tool that runs its own core rather than a Clash core, but is compatible with common Clash subscription formats — just import your subscription link. The interface leans toward a network toolkit, with intuitive node speed testing, latency views, and policy switching. Worth noting the compatibility boundary: it doesn't support some of mihomo's newer syntax and protocols, so complex configs may not work as expected. Good for casual Android users running a single simple subscription; if you're a heavy rules user, stick with a Clash-core client.

A macOS menu bar client that was once the easiest way to run Clash on a Mac — living in the menu bar, one click to enable the system proxy, and quick switching between policy groups. Its core is stuck at the Clash.Meta era, and the project is no longer maintained, so any compatibility issues from future macOS updates won't get fixed. Existing users should migrate to Clash Plus or Clash Verge Rev — your existing subscription link imports directly, so the switch is low-effort.

Once the most widely installed Clash client on Windows, it stopped being maintained and its repository was taken down in late 2023. Its core is stuck on the original Clash Premium, which doesn't support mihomo's newer protocols and rule syntax, so compatibility issues will keep piling up the longer you stick with it. If you're still using it, migrate soon: Clash Plus is the go-to on Windows, or Clash Verge Rev for more advanced needs. Subscriptions and routing logic carry over directly — see the migration guide in our technical notes for the exact steps.