Clash Client Comparison: Checking Off Eight Leading Clients

Platforms Win / mac / Android / iOSCore Meta-familyActively maintained

The goal here is to make "install and it just works" the default experience: all four platforms share the same UI language, and the most common actions — subscription import, node switching, rule mode — sit in the same place on every platform, so switching devices doesn't mean relearning anything. The core follows the Meta-family mainline, with full rule-type and protocol support. The iOS version is listed directly on the App Store, with the official site at clashplus.io — a shorter path to get running on mobile than most comparable clients. The trade-off is a narrower set of deep customization options; if you need heavy tweaking, pair it with a more advanced desktop client. For a first encounter with Clash or use across multiple devices, this is the safest starting point.

Platforms Win / mac / LinuxCore mihomoActively maintained

Currently the go-to replacement for Clash for Windows across all three desktop systems. Built on the mihomo core, both system proxy management and the TUN mode toggle are reachable directly from the GUI without touching a config file. Merge and Script config overrides let you layer your own rules and proxy groups on top of a subscription without editing the original file — this is where it delivers the most value for power users. Package size and memory footprint are better controlled than Electron-based clients. The learning curve is a bit steeper than Clash Plus: option names stick close to core terminology, so first-time users should follow this site's tutorials step by step.

Platforms Win / mac / Linux / AndroidCore mihomoActively maintained

Written in Flutter, with the desktop versions and the Android version looking and behaving almost identically — the most hassle-free choice for a "one computer plus one Android phone" setup. Works out of the box with default settings, and rules and proxy groups are presented as visual lists rather than forcing users to read config docs first. Feature depth sits between Clash Plus and Clash Verge Rev: override capability is weaker than the latter, but common features like mode switching, group latency testing, and subscription management are all there. If you don't need iOS and want desktop and Android to work exactly the same way, this is the best runner-up to the top pick.

Platform WindowsCore mihomoActively maintained

A Windows client sharing the same underlying approach as Clash Verge Rev, with the main difference being the interface: there's noticeably more room to customize themes, layout, and visual details, plus its own take on organizing config files. Core capabilities (system proxy, TUN, subscription management) are on par with peers of its generation, and since it shares the same mihomo core, rule syntax is identical, so migrating configs from other clients requires no changes. Suits Windows users who keep the client running in the background and enjoy tweaking appearance and workflow; if you just want stable connectivity, the choice between this and Verge Rev barely matters.

Platform WindowsCore Original ClashUnmaintained

For a long time this was the de facto standard on Windows, and it still has the largest body of online tutorials and discussion — which is why so many old configs and screenshots still reference it. The project is no longer maintained, so it doesn't track newer rule types and protocol updates from the Meta-family core, and some newer subscriptions won't parse fully on it. Not recommended for new installs. Existing users can keep referencing old guides for now, but should plan to migrate to Clash Verge Rev or Clash Plus soon — subscription links carry over directly, no need to request a new one.

Platform AndroidCore Meta-familyActively maintained

The closest thing to the core itself on Android: it uses VpnService to build a local tunnel that captures device-wide traffic, and the config options it exposes map almost one-to-one to the mihomo core, giving it the strongest override capability among mobile clients. The interface is bare-bones, with option names lifted straight from core terminology — no friction if you're following the docs, but not especially friendly for anyone unfamiliar with config structure. Good fit for users who treat Android as their main device and want to fine-tune rules right on the phone. If you just want to import a subscription and connect, Clash Plus or FlClash will save you time.

Platform AndroidCore Custom implementationSlower maintenance pace

Unlike every other client on this page, Surfboard uses a Surge-style config format and doesn't read Clash subscriptions directly — it's included here as an Android option for users who already have configs in that format. If your subscription only provides Clash-format configs, using this client means an extra conversion step, which isn't worth the trouble. The project's update pace is slower, so check its own documentation for the latest compatibility details. If you have no need for Surge-format configs, you can skip this one entirely.

Platform macOSCore Meta-familyUnmaintained

A menu bar-only client for macOS: there's no main window, everything lives under the menu bar icon, and resource usage is low, which feels snappy on older Macs. The core is Meta-family, so common rule types parse fine. The project is unmaintained, meaning future macOS compatibility and core updates won't be tracked — fine as a short-term stopgap, but there's a growing risk of falling behind over time. New Mac setups should go straight for Clash Plus or Clash Verge Rev; existing users can migrate whenever ready, since subscriptions and rule logic carry over directly.