Clash Client Comparison and Recommendations

A good fit if you want to get started by importing a subscription without digging into core differences. This site links to Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS options, making it easier to find the right version. For multiple devices, set up one first, then check proxy mode and permissions on each device rather than changing several setups at once.

Multiple platforms don't mean settings sync automatically or that TUN, DNS, and background behavior work the same everywhere. Before buying or importing a service, check its subscription format and supported protocols. For iOS, use the App Store listing; see clashplus.io for feature details. For Linux, consider Verge Rev or FlClash.

Clash Verge Rev

A strong fit for users who manage configs on desktop regularly. mihomo handles proxy protocols, rule matching, and network traffic; the client provides config imports, settings, and runtime information. If you want subscription updates while adding local rules or DNS settings, understand how overrides and merging work before editing anything.

A possible replacement for Clash for Windows, but you can't simply copy over the old folder and expect it to work. Original-core fields, legacy scripts, and interface settings may not carry over. On first launch, test basic connectivity in rule mode with the system proxy, then enable TUN if needed. On Linux, also check package format, desktop dependencies, and permissions.

FlClash

A good fit if you use both desktop and Android and want a similar workflow across devices. Its mihomo-based core can reuse compatible proxy groups, rules, and DNS settings. However, local paths, network interface names, and listen addresses in the config still need device-specific changes. A desktop config isn't a ready-made universal setup.

Check your device architecture and permissions before choosing. Android requires system VPN permission and may be affected by battery-saving policies. On desktop, the system proxy only affects apps that honor it. If an app bypasses the proxy, trace where its traffic goes before switching clients. This site does not offer an iOS download for FlClash.

Clash Nyanpasu

A good fit for desktop users who want to customize the interface, verify the core, and keep configs separate. Core management gives you options, but adds another variable to troubleshoot: fields and behavior can differ when the same config runs on different cores. When reporting an issue, include both the client name and the active core—not just a screenshot.

This site's download center offers the Windows installer; other project release channels aren't counted as platforms supported here. For your first setup, stick with one compatible core. Confirm subscription updates, rule matching, and proxy routing before changing the interface or switching cores. If you just need to import a subscription and connect, start with Clash Plus.

CFW still appears in older tutorials and screenshots. The original Clash ecosystem is not identical to today's mihomo. Archived builds can help reproduce a legacy setup or compare old rule behavior before migrating. Since development has stopped, don't expect the original project to fix future OS changes, protocol updates, or compatibility issues.

Don't choose CFW for a first install just because its interface looks familiar from a tutorial. Existing users can consider Clash Plus, Verge Rev, or FlClash: export the subscription URL and local rules, note proxy group names, then verify each one in the new client. An old app still launching doesn't mean it will remain compatible or use fewer resources or run more reliably.

Clash Meta for Android（CMFA）

A good fit for Android-first users who manage subscriptions, rules, and per-app routing. Its core belongs to the Clash Meta/mihomo family; don't confuse it with the original Clash for Android. Choose an installer for your device architecture. Before updating an existing install, check that the source and signing are compatible to avoid an installation failure.

Connection issues often come down to Android system settings: VPN permission, background restrictions, or another VPN app competing for the connection. To troubleshoot, disconnect other VPNs first, then check the client's per-app access controls. If an app is set to bypass the proxy, enabling global mode doesn't mean its traffic will go through the VPN.

Surfboard

Surfboard is an Android proxy tool, not a Clash GUI or a Clash-core client. It uses its own config syntax; check the project documentation for supported features. If you already have a config tailored for Surfboard, use its rule system. Don't assume you can import a Clash YAML subscription just by changing the file extension.

Moving between config ecosystems means checking node protocols, proxy groups, rule order, and DNS behavior. Conversion is only a starting point; a successful conversion doesn't guarantee every field keeps its original meaning. If you don't want to maintain converted configs, a client that supports your existing subscription directly is usually simpler. Surfboard isn't the default choice for Clash beginners.

A good fit for users accustomed to a macOS menu bar client who need to keep a legacy config for now. It belongs to the Clash Meta ecosystem, but an archived build won't necessarily include every feature in current mihomo. Check the actual core for field support instead of copying the latest config examples into an older client.

For a new install, consider Clash Plus, Verge Rev, or FlClash first. Before migrating, note your system proxy, listen port, and local rules. Quit the old client before launching the new one to prevent both apps from repeatedly changing system proxy settings. After migrating, check login items so the old app doesn't take over proxy settings again at startup.