CLIENT SELECTION MATRIX

Clash Client Comparison and Selection

Compare eight common clients by platform coverage, proxy core, maintenance status, operational complexity, and use case. Rule out discontinued software first, then narrow the options based on device count and configuration depth.

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  • 8 clients
  • 5 operating systems
  • 6 comparison criteria

SHORT ANSWER

Read the verdict first, then check platform support

No single client fits every device. Maintenance status is the first filter, platform support is the second, followed by the core and advanced capabilities.

Top pick

Clash Plus: multiple devices and first-time users

Clash Plus supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it a good fit for users who want a similar workflow across their main devices. Its graphical interface handles subscription imports, node selection, proxy mode switching, and connection checks, with fewer entry points to learn during initial setup.

If your device mix includes both computers and phones, or you would rather not learn a different client on every platform, start with Clash Plus. Linux users should look to Clash Verge Rev or FlClash instead.

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DESKTOP / MIHOMO

Advanced desktop configuration

Windows, macOS, and Linux users should compare Clash Verge Rev and FlClash. The former works more like a desktop control panel, while the latter emphasizes a consistent cross-platform interface.

ANDROID / CONTROL

Fine-grained Android settings

For proxy groups, DNS overrides, or custom bypass rules, compare Clash Meta for Android, Clash Plus, and FlClash.

ARCHIVE / MIGRATION

Use discontinued clients only for migration

Clash for Windows and ClashX Meta are no longer maintained. Existing users should export their configurations and migrate; neither is recommended for a new installation.

SPEC TABLE

Clash client specifications compared

Platform coverage is compiled from the installation options on this site's download page. The core column indicates configuration compatibility direction and does not mean every client exposes the same advanced options.

Client Platform support Core Maintenance status Learning curve Standout features Best for
Clash Plus Windows、macOS、Android、iOS mihomo ecosystem Actively maintained Low Cross-platform GUI, subscription management, proxy switching, system proxy controls First-time users, multi-device users, and anyone who wants a consistent workflow
Clash Verge Rev Windows、macOS、Linux mihomo Actively maintained Medium Desktop proxy-group management, system proxy, TUN, configuration overrides Primary desktop users who need advanced controls
FlClash Windows、macOS、Android、Linux mihomo Actively maintained Medium Cross-platform interface, configuration management, desktop and Android coverage Linux users and people using a mix of computers and Android devices
Clash Nyanpasu Windows mihomo Actively maintained Medium Desktop configuration management, proxy-group controls, log and connection monitoring Windows users who want fine-grained control over desktop proxy behavior
Clash for Windows Windows Original Clash Discontinued Low Legacy desktop workflows and reference for traditional configuration compatibility Legacy users exporting configurations and migrating only
Clash Meta for Android Android Meta Actively maintained Medium to high Proxy groups, rule mode, DNS, per-app routing, and network settings Users who need fine-grained Android proxy controls
Surfboard Android Standalone implementation with compatibility for common rules Actively maintained Medium Subscription imports, rule configuration, Android VPN takeover Android users with compatible existing configurations who prefer centralized settings
ClashX Meta macOS Meta Discontinued Low Menu bar controls and legacy macOS configuration workflows Legacy users identifying configurations and migrating only

USAGE PROFILE

Narrow the choice by use case

Confirm your devices and goals first, then consider interface preferences. Most users do not need several clients of the same type installed at once.

CLIENT NOTES

Client-by-client review

The notes below focus on practical selection differences, not appearance scores or version numbers.

01
Top pick Multi-platform

Clash Plus

Clash Plus stands out for its platform coverage. It offers dedicated entry points for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it suitable for using one subscription across a computer, phone, and tablet. Network permissions differ by operating system, but core concepts such as subscription imports, node selection, and mode switching remain consistent.

For a first setup, start with rule mode, enable only the system proxy, and verify the result. Once the basic path works, configure TUN, DNS, or LAN access as needed. This sequence separates subscription, node, and system-takeover issues. For users without a specific advanced requirement, Clash Plus is a low-friction starting point.

View Clash Plus download options →
02
DESKTOP / MIHOMO

Clash Verge Rev

Clash Verge Rev targets Windows, macOS, and Linux desktops, with mihomo as its core direction. Its interface typically separates system proxy, TUN, subscriptions, proxy groups, connections, and logs, making it suitable for users who need to inspect proxy flows and adjust advanced settings.

Its workflow is not identical to the legacy Clash for Windows client. During migration, recheck proxy groups, rule sets, and DNS fields in the configuration instead of carrying over every old setting. For a primary desktop used long term, active maintenance and modern core support matter more than familiarity with an old interface.

View desktop download options →
03
CROSS PLATFORM

FlClash

FlClash supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, making it a good fit for users with both desktop and Android devices. Its value is not the number of options on one platform, but the relatively consistent interface and configuration concepts across platforms, so switching devices does not require learning entirely different entry points.

Linux is an important FlClash use case. Before installing, confirm the distribution's package format and processor architecture; afterward, check whether the desktop environment allows system proxy changes. On Android, traffic is handled through the system VPN interface, which behaves differently from a desktop system proxy. When sharing configurations across devices, handle LAN addresses and device-specific bypass rules separately.

View FlClash download options →
04
WINDOWS / CONTROL

Clash Nyanpasu

Clash Nyanpasu suits users who want to manage mihomo configurations, proxy groups, and connection status on Windows. It exposes more desktop controls than clients limited to basic toggles, so it is better suited to users who already understand the relationship between rule mode, global mode, proxy groups, and subscription updates.

Before choosing it, decide whether you need a different interface or a specific feature. If daily tasks are limited to updating subscriptions and switching nodes, Clash Plus covers the main workflow; if you frequently inspect logs, edit configuration overrides, and review rule matches, Nyanpasu offers a clearer advantage. Do not let multiple Windows clients control the system proxy at the same time.

View Windows clients →
05
Discontinued

Clash for Windows

Clash for Windows once supported a large ecosystem of tutorials and existing configurations, but the project is no longer maintained. It follows the original Clash architecture, and some legacy configuration fields, interface locations, and behaviors differ from current mihomo clients. Older tutorials can explain concepts, but should not be treated as current installation advice.

When migrating, save the subscription URL, custom proxy entries, proxy groups, and rule overrides first, then import them into the new client one by one. Do not run the old and new clients simultaneously, as system proxy ports, TUN interfaces, or tray states may interfere with each other. After verification, disable the old client's startup launch and system proxy settings.

View the post-migration configuration steps →
06
ANDROID / META

Clash Meta for Android

Clash Meta for Android is designed for users who need more control over Android networking. In addition to subscriptions and proxy groups, it may involve system VPN authorization, per-app proxying, DNS, LAN bypass, and background execution limits. Because there are more settings to manage, setup takes longer than with clients focused on basic connectivity.

Android manufacturers' battery-saving policies can interrupt the proxy process. After installation, complete VPN authorization first, then check battery optimization and background restrictions. If the connection drops after the screen locks, inspect system process management before changing nodes. Choose Clash Plus for a simpler connection flow and CMFA for deeper tuning.

View Android clients →
07
ANDROID / COMPATIBLE RULES

Surfboard

Surfboard is a standalone Android proxy client that handles common subscription and rule configurations. It is not a mihomo graphical shell, so confirm compatibility and field behavior against the actual file. When an existing subscription parses correctly, it can handle rule-based proxying, node selection, and Android VPN takeover.

Before choosing Surfboard, confirm that the subscription service provides a compatible format. An import failure does not necessarily mean the nodes are invalid; configuration fields or remote rule formats may not match. When parsing fails, preserve the original subscription URL and inspect the reported location instead of repeatedly overwriting the current configuration. Choose a client with the corresponding core when you depend on mihomo-specific capabilities.

View Surfboard download options →
08
Discontinued

ClashX Meta

ClashX Meta is a Meta-based macOS menu bar client, and the project is no longer maintained. It can help identify proxy configurations, menu bar workflows, and existing subscriptions on older Macs, but it should not be used as a new long-term installation. macOS permissions and network extensions continue to change, so maintenance status should take priority.

When migrating to Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev, or FlClash, quit ClashX Meta first and check whether the old proxy address remains in macOS network settings. After starting the new client, verify the system proxy before deciding whether to enable TUN. If two clients take control of the same network service in turn, symptoms commonly include port conflicts or unsynchronized proxy toggles.

View macOS clients →

DECISION PATH

Choose a client in four steps

  1. STEP 01

    Confirm the operating system and architecture

    Identify Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or Linux first, then confirm the processor architecture. If the platform is incompatible, comparing later features is pointless.

  2. STEP 02

    Rule out discontinued projects

    Treat Clash for Windows and ClashX Meta only as migration sources for legacy configurations. For a new installation, choose directly from actively maintained clients.

  3. STEP 03

    Decide whether you need advanced features

    If you only need to import a subscription, choose nodes, and enable the proxy, prioritize a simple workflow. Choose an advanced client only when you need TUN, DNS, overrides, or connection analysis.

  4. STEP 04

    Keep only one takeover entry point

    Run only one client responsible for system proxy or VPN takeover on a device at a time, preventing ports, routes, and proxy states from overwriting one another.

RECOMMENDATION

Default choice: Clash Plus

For Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. If you use Linux or clearly need specific advanced desktop capabilities, compare Clash Verge Rev and FlClash.

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