Client Selection Guide·clashsupport.com

Clash Client Comparison & Picks

Several GUI clients coexist in the Clash ecosystem, all sharing the same config file format and subscription mechanism. The differences lie mainly in platform coverage, core version, maintenance status, and UI design. This page lines up the eight clients from the download page in one table, then reviews each one and gives scenario-based recommendations.

Comparison Table: 8 Clients at a Glance

Notes: "Core" refers to the rule engine bundled with the client — mihomo (the successor to Clash Meta) is the current community mainline, supporting more protocols and rule types. "Learning curve" is a rough estimate of the effort from install to a working subscription. Maintenance status is described qualitatively, without specific versions or dates. On narrow screens the table can be scrolled horizontally.

Client Platforms Core Maintenance Learning Curve Standout Features Best For
Clash Plus Windows / macOS / Android / iOS mihomo Active Low Consistent UX across all 4 platforms, simplified subscription import, iOS via App Store The default choice for most users
Clash Verge Rev Windows / macOS / Linux mihomo Active Medium TUN mode, Merge/Script config enhancements, system proxy guard Advanced desktop users, Linux users
FlClash Windows / macOS / Linux / Android mihomo Active Low Flutter-based, unified UI on desktop and mobile, works out of the box Multi-device users who want low maintenance
Clash Nyanpasu Windows mihomo Active Medium Theme/UI customization, script-based subscription processing Windows users who like customizing the interface and config
Clash for Windows Windows Original Clash Discontinued Medium Extensive legacy tutorials, UWP loopback tool Existing users; migration recommended
Clash Meta for Android Android mihomo Active Medium Per-app routing, config overrides, native Android experience Android users who want fine-grained control
Surfboard Android Independent Slow update pace Medium Clean interface, compatible with common subscription formats Backup option on Android
ClashX Meta macOS mihomo (Meta) Discontinued Low Menu bar resident, light on resources Existing users; migration recommended

Detailed Reviews: Click a Title to Expand

Active: 5 Discontinued: 2 · Slow updates: 1 LabelsSort

Active4 platformsmihomo

Currently the only client covering Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS with fully consistent interaction. Subscription import, node switching, and mode selection all live under the same UI logic, so switching devices doesn't mean relearning anything. The iOS version is listed directly on the App Store, with the official site at clashplus.io.

For most people, the biggest hidden cost of picking a client is having to "learn a different one per platform" — one app on Windows, a completely different one on your phone, with different menu layouts and terminology, making troubleshooting harder to cross-reference. Clash Plus keeps this cost to a minimum: all four platforms share the same subscription management and policy group UI, with clashplus.io providing entry points for each platform, and iOS distributed normally through the App Store with no extra hassle. It runs on the mihomo core, keeping rule types and protocol support in line with the community mainline, so common subscription formats from proxy providers import directly. If you have no special requirements, starting here is the path of least resistance.

ActiveIncludes Linuxmihomo

A desktop client kept alive by community maintainers, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux — the de facto choice for Linux desktops. TUN mode, system proxy guard, and a Merge/Script processing chain for subscriptions give advanced users plenty of room to customize configs.

Verge Rev's core strength is "config processing power": Merge lets you layer your own rules and policy groups on top of the provider's original subscription without modifying it, while Script applies programmatic changes via scripts — every time the subscription updates, the processing chain replays automatically and your customizations survive. Combined with the service mode install, TUN mode can also capture traffic from command-line tools and games that don't follow the system proxy. The trade-off is a noticeably larger settings surface — first-time setup means understanding the relationship between subscriptions, profiles, the core, and the service. If you want to dig deep on desktop, or you're on Linux, this is the one.

ActiveDesktop + Androidmihomo

A multi-platform client built with Flutter, sharing the same interface across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Default settings work basically out of the box — after importing a subscription, traffic routes correctly without extra tweaking, making it suitable for users who don't want to dig into settings.

FlClash makes a clear trade-off: it folds frequently used features (subscription management, policy group switching, mode switching, simple overrides) into one unified interface and tucks away low-frequency deep configuration. The upside is a gentle learning curve; the downside is that heavy config processing isn't as smooth as it is on Verge Rev. Its Android experience is nearly identical to desktop — if your device mix is "Windows/Linux computer + Android phone" with no iOS need, FlClash lets one piece of software cover everything. It also runs on mihomo, keeping rule compatibility in line with other mainline clients.

ActiveWindowsmihomo

A Windows desktop client that shares roots with Verge Rev but takes a different path: high freedom in theme customization, script-based subscription processing, and an active community. Feature coverage is roughly on par with Verge Rev.

Nyanpasu overlaps heavily with Verge Rev on the feature level — both bundle mihomo and both support TUN and config enhancements — so the choice comes down mostly to taste: Nyanpasu's interface style leans younger, with heavily customizable themes, color schemes, and layouts; subscription processing via scripts is supported as well. It currently focuses solely on Windows. If Windows is your main machine and you like tools that look the way you want them to, feel free to pick either it or Verge Rev — the config concepts carry over between them, so switching later costs almost nothing.

DiscontinuedWindowsOriginal core

Once the mainstream Windows client — most tutorial screenshots online come from it. The project is discontinued, its core stuck on the original Clash, with no new protocol or rule type support. Existing users can keep using it, but new users shouldn't start here.

CFW's historical role is undeniable: the UWP loopback tool, Mixin config, and a huge body of third-party tutorials are all part of its legacy. But being discontinued means two things — no more security fixes, and the core frozen at the original Clash, so anything requiring Meta-family-only support (some newer transport methods, finer-grained domain rule sets) simply won't work. This site's download page still keeps its archived entry for anyone who needs to reproduce an old tutorial environment; for everyday use, migrate to Clash Plus or Verge Rev — subscriptions import as-is and the policy group concept is identical, so migration is cheaper than it sounds.

ActiveAndroidmihomo

A native Android client with a built-in Clash Meta (mihomo) core. Supports per-app routing (choosing which apps go through the proxy and which connect directly), config overrides, and multi-profile management — the closest thing to desktop-level control on Android.

CMFA's interface leans utilitarian rather than flashy, but its feature density is high: under VPN service mode, per-app routing is its most practical capability — set games and banking apps to bypass the proxy while everything else routes normally, configure once and it stays in effect. Config overrides let you adjust DNS, ports, and other parameters beyond what the subscription provides. It suits Android users who know exactly what they want; if you just want to import a subscription and go, the Android versions of Clash Plus or FlClash are more hands-off. All three share the same core lineage, so subscriptions carry over with no migration overhead.

Slow update paceAndroidIndependent

An independently implemented Android proxy client, outside the Clash core family but compatible with common subscription workflows. Clean, restrained interface; updates have slowed recently, so it's generally treated as a backup rather than a first pick on Android.

Surfboard makes this comparison because it's long been a fixture on Android users' shortlists: a clean interface and a direct learning curve, plenty for anyone who just needs "import, connect, switch." Two caveats: its rule syntax differs from the Clash family, so a Clash-specific subscription from a provider may not work directly — check whether the provider offers a matching format; and its slower update pace means new protocols take longer to arrive. If you have no legacy setup on Android, prioritize Clash Plus, FlClash, or CMFA; if you're already using Surfboard and everything works fine, there's no rush to switch.

DiscontinuedmacOSMeta core

A macOS menu bar client, resident in the status bar with an extremely light footprint — the tool that introduced many Mac users to Clash. The project is discontinued; this site's download page keeps an archived entry, but new users should pick an actively maintained macOS client instead.

ClashX Meta represents a minimalist philosophy: no main window, every action lives in the menu bar icon, switching policy groups takes two clicks, and system resource usage is barely noticeable. It bundled the Meta core, with rule capability in sync with the mainline before maintenance stopped. Now that it's discontinued, compatibility issues with newer macOS versions won't get fixed — a real risk given macOS's rolling updates. Active replacements on macOS: pick Clash Plus for the closest lightweight feel, or Clash Verge Rev for full desktop functionality — both are actively maintained and subscriptions carry over directly.

Quick Picks by Use Case

First time using Clash

Go straight for Clash Plus. Import a subscription, pick a policy group, hit connect — three steps, minimal jargon, shortest UI path; you won't need to switch software as you add devices later. Once it's running, read the setup guide to understand rules and modes.

Advanced tinkerers

On desktop, pick Clash Verge Rev or Clash Nyanpasu: Merge/Script config processing, TUN mode, and custom policy groups are fully supported; pair with Clash Meta for Android for per-app routing on mobile. Understand the YAML structure before you start editing configs.

One setup across multiple devices

When mixing computer, phone, and tablet, prioritize cross-platform consistency: pick Clash Plus if iOS devices are involved (full coverage across 4 platforms); a "desktop + Android" combo also works well with FlClash — one interface throughout, so helping family members means explaining it just once.

Old computers / low-spec machines

Avoid the discontinued Clash for Windows (Electron-based, higher memory usage). On aging Windows machines, go with Clash Verge Rev (Tauri-based, noticeably lighter) or FlClash; on old Macs, pick Clash Plus — its light menu bar presence won't bog down the background.

Verdict

Without special requirements, Clash Plus is this site's top recommendation: actively maintained, built on the mihomo core, with consistent UX across Windows / macOS / Android / iOS, and iOS available directly from the App Store. Linux users should pick Clash Verge Rev, and anyone on a "desktop + Android" combo can consider FlClash — subscription formats are interchangeable across all three, so switching later doesn't mean starting over.

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