CLIENT SELECTOR / 08 CHANNELS

Clash Client Comparison and Selection

Start by ruling out clients that do not support your operating system, then compare the core, maintenance status, traffic routing method, and complexity. For a first installation, choose an actively maintained version with a clear subscription workflow for your device.

Open the Client Download Page View the Full Comparison
Maintenance status checked Platform support Core type Ease of use Ideal users

PRIMARY RESULT

Choose Clash Plus first

When you need a straightforward recommendation, start with Clash Plus. It supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it suitable for first-time installations, switching between devices, and users who want a consistent workflow.

Top pick Multi-device

Clash Plus

The first things to evaluate are not interface preferences, but platform coverage, ongoing maintenance, reliable subscription imports, and whether system traffic can be routed as expected. Clash Plus provides desktop and mobile entry points, making it a practical way to address these basics in one place. First-time users can import a subscription, choose a policy group, and enable the system proxy before deciding whether TUN is needed for broader app coverage.

If you use only Windows, macOS, or Linux, you can also compare Clash Verge Rev with FlClash. For finer mihomo settings, consider Clash Nyanpasu. Android users can choose between Clash Meta for Android, FlClash, and Surfboard. Clash for Windows and ClashX Meta are discontinued and should be treated as legacy migration options rather than first choices for a new setup.

Download Clash Plus View the Subscription Import Steps
Platform coverage Desktop and mobile
Configuration path Subscription → Policy → Routing
Best for First installations and multiple devices
Follow-up checks DNS, rules, and automatic updates

COMPARISON MATRIX

Complete Comparison of Eight Clients

The platform coverage in this table matches the client options on our download page. The core column indicates rule syntax and feature direction; it does not mean every client exposes identical interface options.

Client Platform support Core or implementation Maintenance status Ease of use Key features Ideal users
Clash Plus
Our top pick		 Windows
macOS
Android
iOS		 mihomo / Meta ecosystem Actively maintained Easy Multi-platform access, subscription management, rule modes, system traffic routing First-time users, multi-device users, and anyone seeking a consistent workflow
Clash Verge Rev Windows
macOS
Linux		 mihomo Actively maintained Moderate Desktop configuration management, system proxy, TUN, overrides, and core settings Desktop users and advanced users who need to adjust routing and DNS
FlClash Windows
macOS
Android
Linux		 mihomo Actively maintained Easy to moderate Cross-platform interface, subscription management, rule selection, desktop and mobile coverage Users working across desktop and Android who prefer a similar interface
Clash Nyanpasu Windows mihomo Actively maintained Moderate Desktop configuration controls, core options, rules, and override settings Advanced Windows users and anyone who needs to inspect more configuration details
Clash for Windows
Legacy option		 Windows Original Clash Discontinued Easy Legacy GUI, system proxy, configuration file management Reading legacy configurations, transitioning from older setups, and checking settings before migration
Clash Meta for Android Android Clash Meta Actively maintained Moderate Mobile rule-based routing, per-app handling, VPN routing Advanced Android users who need control over which apps use the proxy
Surfboard Android Independent implementation Actively maintained Moderate to difficult Rule-based proxying, configuration file imports, mobile network handling Android users familiar with rule configuration who can verify subscription compatibility
ClashX Meta
Legacy option		 macOS Clash Meta Discontinued Easy to moderate Menu bar controls, system proxy, legacy macOS workflow Migrating configurations from older devices, reviewing legacy setups, and short-term transitions

CLIENT CHANNEL NOTES

Where each client fits

The notes below follow real-world workflows. They explain which devices each client suits, which settings you need to understand, and when another client may be a better choice.

CH-01 PRIMARY
Top pick Actively maintained

Clash Plus: the first choice for new installations and multiple devices

MIHOMO

Clash Plus stands out primarily for its platform coverage. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS users can start with the same client family, reducing the need to relearn subscription entry points, policy selection, and traffic routing when switching devices. For first-time users, import the subscription and update it manually, confirm that the policy groups appear, then enable the system proxy or the platform’s traffic-routing feature.

It is also a good fit for users managing both computers and phones. Multiple devices do not mean configuration files can be used interchangeably: system permissions and traffic-routing mechanisms still vary by platform. A similar workflow does make troubleshooting easier in a consistent order: check the subscription URL, update the configuration, choose a policy, enable routing, and test access. If you use only Linux or need finer desktop override controls, continue comparing Clash Verge Rev and FlClash.

  • Best for: First-time installations, people using both computers and phones, and anyone who wants to reduce the cost of switching clients.
  • Keep in mind: Permissions vary by operating system, and TUN or mobile VPN routing cannot be applied mechanically based on the same interface location.
CH-02 DESKTOP
Actively maintained Desktop

Clash Verge Rev: advanced desktop configuration

MIHOMO

Clash Verge Rev supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its main strength is desktop configuration management: beyond basic subscriptions and rule modes, it is a strong candidate when you need system proxy, TUN, DNS, configuration overrides, or core-related options. Do not enable everything at once. Start with the system proxy to confirm that browsers and standard apps follow the rules, then decide whether apps that ignore the system proxy require TUN.

Feature-rich clients also require an understanding of how settings interact. Subscription updates refresh remote configuration, overrides add or adjust fields locally, TUN expands traffic coverage, and DNS affects domain resolution and rule matching. If you only need a basic subscription import, Clash Plus offers a more direct path. For a Linux desktop client, compare Clash Verge Rev and FlClash together.

  • Best for: Desktop users, Linux users, and anyone who needs TUN or configuration overrides.
  • Keep in mind: Do not enable the system proxy or TUN in multiple clients at the same time, as this can cause routing and port conflicts.
CH-03 CROSS OS
Actively maintained Cross-platform

FlClash: a desktop and Android combination

MIHOMO

FlClash supports Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux, making it suitable for users working across several desktop operating systems or seeking a similar workflow between Linux and Android. It handles subscriptions, policy groups, rule modes, and common traffic-routing tasks. Before choosing it, check the device architecture options on our download page, especially for macOS and Android, where different processors require different packages.

Both FlClash and Clash Plus are cross-platform, but their strengths differ. Clash Plus includes iOS and works well as a unified starting point for multiple devices; FlClash includes Linux and suits more complex desktop combinations. If a subscription updates but an app still bypasses the proxy, first check whether the app reads the system proxy, then inspect TUN, VPN permissions, or per-app scope instead of repeatedly deleting the subscription.

  • Best for: Users combining Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
  • Keep in mind: Confirm the package architecture, system permissions, and traffic-routing method separately on each device.
CH-04 CONTROL
Actively maintained Windows

Clash Nyanpasu: detailed Windows configuration

MIHOMO

The Clash Nyanpasu download option on this site targets Windows. It suits users who already understand subscriptions, policy groups, and rule modes and want to inspect core settings, configuration overrides, or additional desktop options. Keep a record of the fields in the current working configuration: identify what comes from the subscription and what is generated by local overrides, so an update does not make you assume every custom field was preserved automatically.

For workflows that only require copying a subscription, choosing a node, and enabling the system proxy, a more complete settings panel may not save time. If you do not need to adjust YAML, DNS, or TUN, start with Clash Plus. Switch to Nyanpasu when you need to inspect rule order, merged overrides, or core behavior, and change one setting at a time so the source of any problem remains clear.

  • Best for: Advanced Windows users and anyone who needs to understand how configuration loading works.
  • Keep in mind: Keep subscription content and local overrides recorded separately, and confirm their precedence before updating.
CH-05 ARCHIVE
Discontinued Windows legacy

Clash for Windows: for migrating legacy configurations

ORIGINAL

Clash for Windows was widely used on Windows, but it is now discontinued. It can still help you inspect configuration structure, proxy ports, subscription records, and policy selections on an old device, or serve as a reference before migration. For a new installation, choose an actively maintained client instead of treating familiar legacy UI habits as a long-term selection criterion.

During migration, first confirm that the subscription URL is still valid, then check whether the old client used local configuration, scripts, overrides, or custom rules. Copying only the subscription URL usually does not carry over local changes. After importing into the new client, recheck rule mode, system proxy, TUN, DNS, and bypass lists. Once the new client works independently, exit the old one to prevent both programs from competing for ports or changing the system proxy.

  • Best for: Reading legacy configurations, checking historical settings, and short-term migration.
  • Keep in mind: It is not recommended as a long-term client for a new environment; during migration, do not copy undocumented legacy fields blindly.
CH-06 ANDROID
Actively maintained Android

Clash Meta for Android: mobile traffic routing control

META

Clash Meta for Android is intended for users who need Meta-core capabilities on Android. Mobile platforms do not offer a single system-proxy entry point like desktop systems; clients typically route traffic through the system VPN interface, so the first launch requires system authorization. After importing a subscription, select the configuration and policy before starting the connection. If only some apps fail, check per-app proxy scope, battery restrictions, background permissions, and DNS settings.

It suits users who want to control which apps use the proxy, need rule-based routing, or want to inspect mobile DNS behavior more closely. For quick importing and connecting, start with Clash Plus. If you also use FlClash on a computer, compare the workflow consistency of FlClash for Android. Before switching mobile clients, stop the current VPN connection to prevent the system from retaining an old session.

  • Best for: Advanced Android users and anyone who needs per-app handling or rule-based routing.
  • Keep in mind: System VPN authorization, background restrictions, and battery-saving policies can all affect persistent connections.
CH-07 RULESET
Actively maintained Android

Surfboard: choose it after learning rule configuration

INDEPENDENT

Surfboard is an Android rule-based proxy client with an independent implementation. It handles common configuration and subscription workflows, but similar concepts in the interface do not mean every Clash YAML field or client behavior is identical. Before choosing it, confirm that the provider’s format can be read correctly and check whether policy groups, rules, and DNS results behave as expected.

It is best suited to users who understand top-to-bottom rule matching, policy groups selecting the exit, and the way DNS results affect domain rules. If fields are not recognized after import, compare the subscription format with the client documentation instead of deleting rule sections at random. For first-time Android proxy users, the Clash ecosystem paths in Clash Plus or Clash Meta for Android are usually easier to follow alongside this site’s tutorials.

  • Best for: Android users familiar with rule-based proxy concepts who can assess configuration compatibility.
  • Keep in mind: An independent implementation does not mean all Clash fields are handled identically; check the actual results after importing.
CH-08 ARCHIVE
Discontinued macOS legacy

ClashX Meta: migrating from a legacy macOS setup

META

ClashX Meta follows the macOS menu bar workflow, but it is now discontinued. On an older device, review the subscription source, proxy port, enhanced mode, DNS, and bypass settings before deciding whether to migrate to Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev, or FlClash. When choosing a new client, do not aim for identical interface locations; judge it by whether the subscription loads, rules execute, and system traffic is routed correctly.

A macOS migration requires attention to system network settings and permissions. After exiting the old client, check that the system proxy has been restored before launching the new one. If you use TUN or enhanced mode, the new client may require fresh network-extension or administrator authorization. After migration, test the browser, terminal, and apps that ignore the system proxy separately to confirm coverage rather than testing only one webpage.

  • Best for: Reviewing legacy macOS setups, migrating from a menu bar client, and short-term transitions.
  • Keep in mind: Recheck the system proxy, network permissions, DNS, and TUN status after migration.

SCENARIO ROUTING

Choose by use case

Device requirements and goals matter more than interface appearance. Use the recommendations below to narrow the options, but make the final choice based on your operating system, processor architecture, and actual configuration needs.

FINAL CHECK

Five checks before downloading

Complete these checks before opening the download page to reduce the risk of installing the wrong platform build, enabling multiple proxies, or missing configuration during migration.

  1. Confirm the operating system and processor architecture

    First identify whether the device runs Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or Linux. On macOS, distinguish Intel from Apple silicon; mobile and Linux packages may also vary by processor architecture. A file downloading successfully does not mean it is suitable for the device.

  2. Prioritize actively maintained clients

    For a new environment, start with Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev, FlClash, Clash Nyanpasu, Clash Meta for Android, or Surfboard. Use Clash for Windows and ClashX Meta for legacy reference and migration; they should not take priority over actively maintained clients.

  3. Decide whether you really need TUN

    If browsers and regular apps read the system proxy, start with the system proxy. Consider TUN only when games, command-line tools, or certain apps ignore the system proxy. Before enabling it, confirm system permissions, DNS settings, and that no other network tool is controlling the route.

  4. Separate subscription content from local changes

    A subscription update usually fetches the remote configuration again. Whether local overrides, custom rules, and scripts remain depends on the client’s merge behavior. Record these local changes before migrating, rather than assuming the configuration has been fully transferred after copying only the subscription URL.

  5. Run only one traffic-routing client at a time

    When multiple clients modify the system proxy, listen on the same port, or create TUN interfaces simultaneously, connections may switch repeatedly, DNS may fail, or apps may become unreachable. Before testing a new client, exit the old one and proceed in this order: subscription, policy, routing, verification.

NEXT OPERATION

Open the download page and choose your platform

The download page groups clients by Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and the Mihomo core. Select the platform matching your device, then download the package that matches its processor architecture.

Open the Client Download Page View Configuration Fields