Clash Client Comparison: Picking Among Eight Popular Clients

Covers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS — the only client in this list with an officially listed iOS app on the App Store (official site: clashplus.io). Built on the mihomo core, with subscription import, system proxy, and rule-based routing all working by default; first-time setup barely requires reading documentation. The interface is consistent across all four platforms, so switching devices doesn't mean relearning anything. It's the easiest option for anyone new to Clash, or anyone who wants the same workflow on phone and desktop — the trade-off is fewer customization options than a desktop-focused client like Verge Rev.

The most fully-featured mihomo-core client across the three desktop platforms (Windows, macOS, and Linux). Service mode keeps the proxy running without an admin session, TUN mode can capture traffic from apps that bypass the system proxy, and config overrides (via merge or scripts) let you layer your own rules on top of a subscription without editing the original file. Combined, these make it the go-to for desktop power users — at the cost of needing to understand concepts like service installation and virtual adapter permissions up front, plus some basic troubleshooting skills for firewall blocks or port conflicts.

Its core selling point is cross-platform consistency: Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux all share the same interface and interaction logic, with subscription management, proxy group switching, and logs living in identical places. It runs on the same mihomo core, with rule capabilities on par with other mainstream clients. The UI favors simplicity, surfacing common features while tucking away the rest, which keeps the learning curve low. If your devices span desktop and Android and you don't want to memorize a separate workflow per platform, FlClash offers the most unified experience in this comparison — its depth of customization sits between Clash Plus and Verge Rev.

The most customizable mihomo-core client on Windows. Theme and layout density can be tuned to taste, and config overrides support both merge-based and script-based workflows — a good fit for users who want to layer extensive custom rules on top of a subscription. Its feature set overlaps with Verge Rev, so the choice often comes down to UI preference and override workflow. For users who just want things to work out of the box, it exposes more options than necessary, and first-time setup is easier with the docs open alongside it.

For a long time this was the de facto standard on Windows, and a huge share of online tutorials still reference its interface. The project is no longer maintained and runs on the original Clash core, meaning it doesn't support the newer protocols and rule types introduced by mihomo — newer subscription fields may fail to parse, and no further bug fixes are coming. Most existing configs migrate smoothly to Verge Rev or Clash Plus, since the underlying concepts (proxy groups, rules, logs) map one-to-one — the main cost of switching is just getting used to a new menu layout. New users shouldn't start here.

The Android client that stays closest to the core's native capabilities: nearly every config option is exposed, from DNS policy to TUN parameters to rule sources, and new mihomo features are usually available here first. The interface is plain and doesn't hold your hand, making it a good fit for users who already understand Clash's config structure and want the same level of control on mobile as on desktop. Beginners often get stuck on VPN permissions or battery optimization whitelists — it's worth starting with Clash Plus or FlClash first and moving here later.

A lightweight Android proxy client with a small install size and low background footprint, though its config syntax is closer to Surge than standard Clash YAML. If you're already maintaining Surge-style configs, or just want a minimal, always-on tool, it has a real niche — but for anyone relying mainly on Clash subscriptions, the format difference means extra conversion work. Updates come slower than mihomo-based clients, so new protocol support tends to lag, making it a better backup option than a daily driver.

A lightweight macOS menu bar client: no Dock icon, no main window, with proxy group switching and system proxy toggling done entirely from the menu bar, built on the Clash Meta core (mihomo's predecessor). This kind of "invisible tool" design earned it a loyal following among Mac users, but the project is no longer maintained and won't keep up with OS or core updates. Mac users after the same lightweight feel can move to the macOS build of Clash Plus; those needing more granular control should look at Verge Rev.