Client comparison · Filter by platform and workflow

Clash Client Comparison and Selection

Start with the device platform, then check the core, maintenance status and operational complexity. For straightforward installation across multiple devices with a similar workflow, choose Clash Plus first. For advanced desktop configuration, compare Verge Rev, FlClash and Nyanpasu.

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Top pick

For most users: Clash Plus

Dedicated entry points are available for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, making it suitable for first-time installations, households with multiple devices and anyone who wants a consistent workflow across platforms. Everyday actions—importing configurations, choosing proxy groups, enabling the system proxy and checking connection status—are kept together, so you do not need to understand the entire configuration structure first.

Advanced desktop settings Clash Verge Rev
Shared desktop and Android interface FlClash
Windows mihomo client Clash Nyanpasu
Legacy configuration handling CFW or ClashX Meta

Complete comparison of eight clients

Platform availability is the first filter. The core and standout features determine configuration compatibility, while maintenance status indicates whether a client is suitable as a long-term primary tool.

Client Platform support Core or configuration ecosystem Maintenance status Ease of use Standout features Best for
Clash Plus Top pick Windows、macOS、Android、iOS mihomo / Meta configuration ecosystem Actively maintained Low Cross-platform access, subscription imports, proxy groups and connection management First-time users, multi-device users and reliable everyday connections
Clash Verge Rev Windows、macOS、Linux mihomo Actively maintained Medium Centralized management for TUN, rules, subscriptions, configurations and core options Desktop users, advanced configuration users and Linux desktop users
FlClash Windows、macOS、Linux、Android mihomo Actively maintained Medium Cross-platform interface, configuration management, desktop and mobile coverage Users who want a consistent workflow across platforms and use Android alongside a computer
Clash Nyanpasu Windows mihomo Actively maintained Medium Proxy group, rule, subscription and core settings management Advanced users who prefer a Windows desktop management interface
Clash for Windows Windows Original Clash No longer maintained Medium Classic desktop layout and legacy configuration workflow Users who need to read legacy configurations or preserve an older environment
Clash Meta for Android Android Clash Meta Actively maintained Medium Mobile configuration imports, proxy modes and traffic interception settings Android users familiar with Clash Meta configurations
Surfboard Android Independent implementation with compatibility for Clash rule workflows Actively maintained Medium to high Configuration file and rule management with a mobile networking workflow Android users who understand rule and configuration structures and want manual control
ClashX Meta macOS Clash Meta No longer maintained Medium Menu bar control and the legacy macOS workflow macOS users with existing installations or legacy configurations to maintain

“Ease of use” is based on the configuration required to install the client, import a subscription, choose a proxy group and enable the system proxy. It does not indicate overall capability. Maintenance status may change as projects evolve; check the download page before committing to long-term use.

How to choose

Do not start by comparing interface details. Eliminate options in order by platform, maintenance status, configuration source and feature requirements for a more reliable decision.

  1. Start with the operating system

    On iOS, choose Clash Plus directly. On Android, compare Clash Plus, FlClash, Clash Meta for Android and Surfboard. Windows has the largest pool of candidates; on macOS, also consider chip architecture; on Linux, start by comparing Verge Rev and FlClash. If the platform is unsupported, other features are irrelevant.

  2. Rule out unmaintained projects

    Clash for Windows and ClashX Meta are better treated as references for legacy environments than as first choices for new installations. No longer maintained does not mean an existing installation will stop working immediately, but future OS updates, networking-stack changes and new configuration fields may not be supported. Start new devices with an actively maintained client.

  3. Confirm subscription and core requirements

    For a standard subscription supplied by a service provider, most actively maintained clients can handle the import. If the configuration includes mihomo extension fields, rule sets, TUN, Fake-IP or complex DNS options, prefer a client in the mihomo or Meta ecosystem. When migrating an older original Clash configuration, check deprecated fields and rule-provider paths.

  4. Compare workflows last

    If you only need to import a subscription, choose nodes and enable the system proxy, a clear interface matters more than the number of settings. If you need to edit overrides, manage multiple configurations, inspect rule matches or switch TUN parameters, choose a desktop client with broader controls. More features also mean more options to verify during initial setup.

Choose by use case

The same client may suit different devices and network environments differently. The recommendations below are organized by primary objective.

Review each client

The sections below explain each client’s main strengths, limitations and best-fit workflows without using version numbers or ratings as the basis for comparison.

Top pick Cross-platform

Clash Plus

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Clash Plus stands out for its broad platform coverage. Windows, macOS, Android and iOS users can start within the same product line, with everyday actions centered on configuration imports, proxy group selection, connection status and system traffic interception. For first-time users, reducing terminology and interface differences between clients is often more valuable than adding a large number of advanced switches.

Multi-device users should still note that a subscription link can be imported separately on each device, while system proxy permissions, mobile VPN permissions, LAN access and startup behavior are local device settings and are not synchronized automatically. When editing complex rules, validate them in a separate configuration copy before replacing the daily configuration.

Choose it when
First installation, cross-platform use and everyday multi-device access
Keep in mind
Permissions and traffic interception methods vary by operating system
Advanced desktop mihomo

Clash Verge Rev

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Clash Verge Rev suits users who rely on a desktop as their primary management device. Configuration, subscriptions, proxy groups, the system proxy, TUN and core options are gathered in the GUI. It handles ordinary subscription connections as well as more complex mihomo configurations. Installation entry points are available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Its settings cover more ground than those of a basic client, so change one variable at a time when troubleshooting. If the internet stops working, first determine whether the system proxy and TUN are enabled together, then check the current proxy group, configuration mode and DNS. Avoid switching several network options in succession without knowing the cause, or it will be difficult to tell what restored or broke the connection.

Choose it when
Desktop use, mihomo configurations, TUN and rule management
Keep in mind
There are many options; verify each change individually
Cross-platform interface Desktop and Android

FlClash

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FlClash covers Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, making it suitable for users who switch between computers and Android devices. Its value is not perfect synchronization of device settings, but a similar workflow for subscription imports, proxy groups and configuration management. When a home computer, laptop and Android phone share a subscription, the learning curve stays relatively consistent.

Cross-platform does not mean every configuration field can be reused unchanged. Desktop systems can use the system proxy or TUN, while Android usually routes traffic through the system VPN interface; app routing, background limits and battery optimization are mobile-specific. During migration, share the subscription or base configuration rather than copying each platform’s local state files directly.

Choose it when
Using desktop and Android together with a similar workflow
Keep in mind
Network permissions differ between mobile and desktop
Windows mihomo

Clash Nyanpasu

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Clash Nyanpasu is aimed at users who want to manage mihomo configurations on Windows. Proxy groups, rules, subscriptions and core-related settings can all be handled through the desktop interface. It suits users who already understand the system proxy, rule mode and basic configuration-file structure and want finer control over client behavior.

It is not a unified cross-platform solution; the download list on this page is primarily for Windows. If you will also use the same subscription on macOS, Linux or mobile, decide in advance which client to use on those devices and limit shared content to the subscription URL, rule logic and common configuration fields. Set ports, configuration directories and startup items separately.

Choose it when
Windows as the primary device with mihomo desktop management
Keep in mind
Other platforms require a different client
No longer maintained Original Clash

Clash for Windows

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Clash for Windows, often shortened to CFW, is the default client in many older guides and legacy configurations. It uses a classic desktop layout with sections for configurations, proxies, rules, connections and settings. An existing setup may continue to work, but the project is no longer maintained and should not be the first installation choice on a new device.

When migrating from CFW, first export or back up the subscription URL, custom proxies, rule overrides and script content, then import them again in the new client. Do not overwrite the new client’s entire configuration directory, because local databases, interface settings and core fields differ between projects. After migration, verify rule mode, DNS and the system proxy separately.

Suitable for
Reading legacy configurations or temporarily preserving an environment that cannot yet be migrated
Not recommended for
First installation on a new device or long-term primary use
Android Clash Meta

Clash Meta for Android

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Clash Meta for Android, often abbreviated as CMFA, suits users familiar with Clash Meta configurations and Android networking permissions. It can import configurations or subscriptions, switch proxy modes and groups, and handle device traffic through Android’s VPN interface. Compared with a workflow focused only on connecting quickly, it places more emphasis on configuration control.

Troubleshooting on Android requires additional checks for system restrictions. Battery optimization may pause the app, background activity may be limited, or another tool may occupy the VPN permission, all of which can appear as dropped connections or apps bypassing the proxy. When issues occur, first confirm that the client is still running, then check the system VPN indicator, current proxy group and configuration update result.

Choose it when
Android as the primary device with familiarity with Meta configurations
Keep in mind
Battery optimization, background permissions and VPN conflicts
Android Rule configuration

Surfboard

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Surfboard is an Android networking tool for users who already understand configuration files, rule order and proxy groups. It overlaps with many common Clash rule workflows, but should not be treated simply as another interface for the same core. Before importing a configuration, check which fields the client supports; do not assume every mihomo extension can be used directly.

The main reasons to choose Surfboard are usually a preference for its mobile workflow or an existing, verified compatible configuration. If a provider generates the subscription automatically, test updates and rule matching with a copy first. If a field is unrecognized, simplify the configuration and remove core-specific extensions before repeatedly changing system network permissions.

Choose it when
Android users who understand rule files and have a compatible configuration
Keep in mind
Do not assume support for every mihomo extension field
No longer maintained macOS

ClashX Meta

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ClashX Meta targets macOS and retains the menu bar workflow, making it suitable for quickly switching proxy modes, proxy groups and the system proxy from the status bar. Existing installations and legacy configurations can be kept when necessary, but the project is no longer maintained; new devices should prioritize Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev or FlClash.

When migrating a macOS client, recheck system proxy permissions, launch-at-login items, the configuration directory and the installer matching the chip architecture, in addition to subscriptions and rules. If the system proxy is not restored after the old client exits, browsers may appear unable to connect. Check the proxy status in system network settings before launching the new client.

Suitable for
Existing installations, the legacy menu bar workflow and historical configurations
Not recommended for
Long-term primary use on a fresh macOS setup

Migration checklist before switching clients

Clients can share subscriptions and some YAML configuration, but local state, permissions and extension fields generally cannot be copied wholesale.

Four types of content to preserve before migrating

  • Subscription source: Record the subscription URL, configuration name and update method. If authorization parameters are required, use the complete URL provided by the original service.
  • Custom rules: Save manually added DOMAIN, DOMAIN-SUFFIX, GEOIP, RULE-SET and MATCH rules, and record their order in the rule list.
  • DNS and TUN settings: Record whether Fake-IP is enabled, which DNS servers are used, whether TUN is enabled and whether LAN connections are allowed.
  • Proxy group selection: Select nodes or policy groups again after migration. The client’s locally saved last selection usually does not move with the YAML file.

Verify in this order after migrating

  1. Import the subscription or base configuration first and confirm that the client loads it normally.
  2. Choose an available proxy group, enable only the system proxy and test the browser connection.
  3. Check that direct and proxied requests behave as expected in rule mode.
  4. After the basic connection is stable, enable TUN, LAN sharing or custom DNS.
  5. Finally, enable launch at startup and restart the device once to verify that the system proxy is restored correctly.

Clash client selection FAQ

The right choice mainly depends on the operating system, configuration complexity and maintenance status; there is no need to choose the client with the most settings.

Which client should I choose for my first Clash setup?

Start with Clash Plus. It covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and is suitable for beginning with subscription import, proxy group selection and a basic connection. After installation, complete the minimum configuration first instead of changing several advanced network options at once.

How should I choose between Clash Verge Rev and FlClash?

For advanced configuration mainly on Windows, macOS or Linux, consider Clash Verge Rev first. If you need to use both a computer and Android and prefer a similar interface and workflow, compare FlClash. For either client, choose the installer that matches the actual system architecture.

Can Clash for Windows still be used?

An existing setup can be kept temporarily with the risks understood, but the project is no longer maintained and is not recommended as the primary client on a new device. During migration, save the subscription, custom rules and DNS settings, then recreate them in an actively maintained client.

Can the same subscription be used in different clients?

A standard subscription can usually be imported separately into multiple compatible clients, but the result depends on the subscription output format and the fields supported by each client. If it includes mihomo extensions, scripts or specific rule providers, check compatibility item by item.

Why can’t I connect to the internet after switching clients?

First confirm that the old client has fully exited, then check local ports, the system proxy, the current proxy group and configuration load status. If TUN is enabled, also check permissions and the virtual network adapter. For initial testing, disable TUN and use only the system proxy.

Download a client by platform

Most users should choose Clash Plus; for advanced desktop configuration, compare Clash Verge Rev, FlClash and Clash Nyanpasu. The download page is organized by Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Linux.

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