A VPN client is an application that connects your device to a VPN server. The choice of client affects speed, stability, and ease of use. Let’s review the best options for each platform.
First, the thing every roundup forgets: a client does nothing on its own. Every app in this article is a shell with no servers of its own; a connection appears only once you add a subscription from a service (a link or a QR code). So the order is: subscription first, client second — almost every modern subscription, Tainet included, works in any client from this roundup, which means you can swap clients as often as you like. A Tainet subscription — with the first week free — takes 30 seconds to set up, in the Telegram bot or in your account on this site, and from there this roundup reads as “what to paste it into”.
Before picking a specific app, it helps to settle which devices to install it on in the first place.
Types of VPN Clients
| Type | Description | For Whom |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary app | From VPN provider | Beginners |
| Universal client | Works with any provider | Advanced |
| System VPN | Built into OS | Corporate |
Recommendation: universal clients give you more control and work with any provider — every client below is one of those.
The practical steps are below; if you'd rather skip the setup, Tainet connects in a couple of minutes - through the Telegram bot or in your account.
Windows
Happ (Recommended)
Protocols: VLESS, Shadowsocks, Trojan and other modern ones
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The same interface on every platform | Young client on desktop |
| Subscription added in one tap | - |
| Free | - |
Download: happ.su
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to set up Happ.
INCY
Protocols: VLESS, Shadowsocks, Trojan, Hysteria2 and others
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Every platform, one interface | Young project |
| Hysteria2 support | - |
| Free | - |
A client gaining popularity fast; a detailed INCY setup guide is coming as a separate article.
Hiddify
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, Trojan, Hysteria2
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Modern interface | Requires .NET |
| All protocols | - |
| Auto-update subscription | - |
| Free, open source | - |
Download: GitHub
For the details, there is a step-by-step Hiddify setup.
v2rayN
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, Trojan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many settings | Complex interface |
| Flexible routing | Windows only |
| Active development | - |
Download: GitHub
Nekoray
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, Trojan, Naive
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cross-platform | Less popular |
| Simple interface | - |
| sing-box core | - |
Download: GitHub
macOS
Streisand (Recommended)
Protocols: VLESS, Shadowsocks, Trojan and others
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free, installs from the regular App Store | Apple ecosystem only |
| Light and stable | - |
| Subscription by link or QR | - |
Download: App Store
Happ / Hiddify
Both run natively on Apple Silicon with the same interface as on other platforms — convenient if you already run them on your phone.
Download: Happ — App Store or happ.su; Hiddify — GitHub
Shadowrocket (Paid, ~$3)
Protocols: all modern ones
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best functionality | Paid |
| Excellent stability | Requires a non-Russian Apple ID |
Download: App Store
Android
Happ (Recommended)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One-tap subscription, 17M+ installs | - |
| Google Play + APK | - |
| Split routing out of the box | - |
Download: Google Play or happ.su
The Happ setup guide — five minutes, subscription included.
INCY
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hysteria2 + all modern protocols | - |
| Google Play and Android TV | - |
| Minimal interface | - |
Hiddify
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All protocols | - |
| Simple interface | - |
| Play Store + APK | - |
Download: Google Play or GitHub
v2rayNG
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, Trojan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Popular | Outdated interface |
| Stable | Fewer features |
| Lightweight | - |
Download: GitHub
NekoBox
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Advanced features | More complex |
| Flexible routing | - |
| sing-box core | - |
Download: GitHub
iOS / iPadOS
One clarification for Russia that roundups skip: the paid Shadowrocket needs a foreign Apple ID, and for most people that is an extra quest. The good news — it is not required.
Streisand (Recommended)
The best free option for iPhone. It installs from the regular Russian App Store, supports modern protocols, and a subscription is added by link in seconds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free, available in the Russian App Store | Apple only |
| Stable, lightweight | - |
Download: App Store
Happ
The same cross-platform client: if Happ is already on your computer, putting it on your iPhone makes sense — the interface is identical. Step-by-step setup.
Download: App Store
INCY
Available in the Russian App Store (and on Apple TV), free, with Hysteria2 support. Setup is the usual: install, add the subscription by link or QR code.
Download: incy.cc
Shadowrocket (~$3)
For enthusiasts: maximum features and flexible rules, but it needs a non-Russian Apple ID and a one-time purchase.
Download: App Store
V2Box
A free backup option from the App Store with basic functionality.
Download: App Store
Linux
sing-box (CLI)
Powerful core for advanced users.
# Installation
sudo apt install sing-box
# or
yay -S sing-box
# Run
sing-box run -c config.json
Nekoray (GUI)
Graphical client for Linux with sing-box core.
Download: GitHub
Hiddify (GUI)
Works on Linux but requires testing on your distribution.
Download: GitHub
Comparison Table
| Client | Win | Mac | Android | iOS | Linux | Price | Russian App Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free | ✓ |
| INCY | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free | ✓ |
| Hiddify | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free | ✓ |
| Streisand | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | Free | ✓ |
| v2rayN | ✓ | - | - | - | - | Free | — |
| v2rayNG | - | - | ✓ | - | - | Free | — |
| Shadowrocket | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ~$3 | ✗ |
| NekoBox | - | - | ✓ | - | - | Free | — |
| Nekoray | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | Free | — |
| V2Box | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | Free | ✓ |
The clients in the table support different protocols — which protocols the clients support breaks down the differences in more detail.
Tainet — a subscription that works in any client in this table: copy the link, paste it, connect. Signing up takes 30 seconds in the Telegram bot or in your account on this site, the first 7 days are free, then from $0.10 a day — enough to try the clients out and settle on the one you like.
Try it →Which Client to Choose
For Beginners
- Any platform: Happ — the same everywhere, one-tap subscription
- Want something new with Hysteria2: INCY — every platform, Apple TV included
- iPhone without the hassle: Streisand — free from the regular App Store
For Advanced Users
- Windows: v2rayN
- Android: NekoBox
- iOS: Shadowrocket (if you have a non-Russian Apple ID)
- Linux: sing-box
For Maximum Compatibility
Happ or Hiddify: both run on every platform with a unified interface. The difference is a matter of taste — Happ is simpler, Hiddify is more flexible: the Happ guide, the Hiddify guide.
How to Import Configuration
Method 1: Subscription Link
- Copy the link from the service (with Tainet it is the “My subscription” button in the bot or your account on this site)
- In the client: Add → Import from clipboard
- Connect
Method 2: QR Code
- Scan the QR code from the service
- The configuration is added automatically — handy for a second device
Method 3: Configuration File
- Download the file (.json or .yaml)
- Import it into the client
Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Client won’t start | Install dependencies (.NET, VC++) |
| No connection | Regenerate the subscription; turn off the second VPN client |
| Slow speed | Change server or protocol |
| Battery drains quickly | Switch clients — their power draw differs |
Still stuck — write to support: we will advise for your device and client.
FAQ
What do I need besides a client?
A subscription from a service — without one, any client shows an empty screen. That is the most common reason for “I downloaded it and it doesn’t work”.
How is INCY different from Happ?
Both are cross-platform and free, and they work with the same subscriptions. INCY supports Hysteria2 and is on Apple TV; Happ has been around longer. The subscription is the same — try both; a step-by-step Happ setup is covered in a separate guide.
Which client should I pick if my Apple ID is Russian?
Streisand, Happ, INCY, Hiddify or V2Box — all free and available in the Russian App Store. A foreign Apple ID is only needed for Shadowrocket.
Which client is fastest?
Speed depends on server and protocol, not the client. All modern clients perform equally fast.
Is Shadowrocket worth the money?
For enthusiasts with a non-Russian Apple ID — yes: the best functionality on iOS for a one-time purchase. For most people the free Streisand covers the same ground.
Can I use multiple VPN providers?
Yes. Universal clients let you add configurations from different providers and switch between them.
Summary
For most users the best choice is Happ (every platform, one-tap subscription) or Hiddify (every platform, more settings). On an iPhone without a foreign Apple ID — the free Streisand. And all of it starts working once you add a subscription.
If this article describes your situation, Tainet handles it without the technical hassle: connect in the Telegram bot or in your account on this site, the first 7 days are free, then from $0.10 a day. Questions go to support — we answer fast.
