Clash Client Comparison: Which One to Install on Windows, macOS, Android
Compare Clash Plus, Clash Verge Rev, FlClash and Clash Nyanpasu on kernel version, UI maturity, TUN support and update frequency, with picks by platform.
Why the same kernel spawns so many different clients
The core of the Clash ecosystem is the proxy kernel. The original Clash kernel stopped receiving updates long ago, so its rule syntax and protocol support are frozen at an old baseline. The community forked it into Clash Meta, which later evolved into the actively maintained mihomo kernel, adding support for Hysteria2, TUIC, VLESS and other newer protocols while fixing a number of stability issues. The kernel handles config parsing, connection setup and rule-based routing — it's the foundation for everything else. The client is just a UI shell wrapped around the kernel, handling subscription imports, node switching, traffic display and toggles. The same kernel can be driven by multiple clients, which is why Clash Verge Rev, FlClash and Clash Nyanpasu look completely different yet share the same config file syntax.
Picking a client really comes down to three trade-offs: whether the kernel stays current, how usable the interface is, and how well it's adapted to your platform. Below we go through Windows, macOS and Android one at a time, then wrap up with a comparison table and scenario-based recommendations.
Windows: choosing between Clash Verge Rev, Clash Nyanpasu and Clash Plus
Windows has the widest client selection, and the differences mostly show up in UI style and background resource usage.
- Clash Verge Rev: built on the mihomo kernel, with a design that balances rule editing and profile management. It supports TUN mode, auto subscription updates, and fast switching between multiple profiles — a good fit for anyone who tweaks rules often. Update cadence is high, and the bundled kernel tends to track the mihomo upstream closely.
- Clash Nyanpasu: also built on the newer kernel, but with a lighter interface and faster startup. It suits users who just need to "turn on the proxy and pick a node" without digging into config syntax.
- Clash Plus: designed for a consistent experience across platforms, with a clean UI and a clear onboarding flow. Subscription import and node speed tests are simplified, making it a good pick for people migrating from another tool who aren't yet familiar with Clash concepts.
All three support system proxy and TUN mode. The real difference is between "how easy it is to get started" and "how many parameters you can tune" — clients with richer features tend to expose more configuration options in the UI, which isn't always friendlier for beginners.
macOS: choosing between Clash Plus, ClashX Meta and Clash Verge Rev
The long-running ClashX for macOS is no longer maintained, so sticking with it means being stuck on an old kernel with outdated rule syntax and no support for newer protocols — it's not recommended for new installs. The active options right now are:
- ClashX Meta: keeps ClashX's familiar interaction model — the same menu bar icon and node selection logic — but runs on the Meta-branch kernel. Good for anyone migrating from the old ClashX who doesn't want to relearn a new UI.
- Clash Plus: ships separate builds for Apple silicon and Intel chips. Its windowed interface is more visual than a menu bar widget, with rules, connections and logs all viewable in one window — good for anyone who prefers managing a standalone window.
- Clash Verge Rev: also ships architecture-specific macOS builds, with the same profile management as the Windows version — a solid pick if you use multiple platforms and want a consistent workflow.
On macOS, the first launch of any of these clients triggers system prompts for network extension and keychain access — this is required for TUN mode to work correctly. Denying the prompt will stop traffic from being intercepted, and you'll need to grant it manually later in System Settings.
Android: choosing between Clash Plus, FlClash and Clash for Android
The logic for choosing an Android client is a bit different from desktop, since it involves VPN permission requests and background survival strategies.
- Clash Plus: builds are split by architecture, the interface follows the desktop version's style, and the toggle for VPN-mode global traffic takeover is clearly placed — a good fit for mobile users new to Clash.
- FlClash: covers Windows, macOS, Linux and Android in one codebase. The Android UI is fairly minimal, with weaker rule-editing capability than desktop-dedicated clients, but it wins on having a consistent config workflow across devices.
- Clash for Android: a long-standing Android-only client, shipped in arm64, arm and universal architecture packages, giving it broad compatibility — a good fit for older devices or when you're unsure of the chip architecture.
A shared pitfall across all three: Android applies battery-saving restrictions to background VPN services. After installing, go to the battery optimization list and set the client to "unrestricted" — otherwise the system may silently kill the proxy service in the background, showing up as intermittent disconnects.
Comparison: kernel, UI maturity, TUN support, update frequency
| Client | Platforms | Kernel base | TUN mode | UI complexity | Update frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clash Plus | Win/macOS/Android/iOS | Meta-family kernel | Supported | Low, guided | Medium |
| Clash Verge Rev | Win/macOS/Linux | mihomo | Supported | High, config-rich | High |
| Clash Nyanpasu | Windows | mihomo | Supported | Medium, lightweight | Medium |
| FlClash | Win/macOS/Linux/Android | mihomo | Supported | Medium, cross-platform | Medium |
| ClashX Meta | macOS | Meta branch | Supported | Low, menu bar style | Low |
| Clash for Android | Android | Meta-family kernel | Supported | Medium | Low |
One clarification worth making: the "update frequency" column reflects how actively the client shell itself is maintained, which isn't quite the same as kernel security. As long as a client bundles or can switch to an actively maintained kernel like mihomo, its underlying proxy capability stays current even if the shell isn't updated often. What you should actually be wary of is a client whose kernel has been frozen on an old version for a long time and hasn't kept up with protocol compatibility — even if the interface still opens fine, it's worth switching away from those sooner rather than later.
Recommendations by use case
- New to Clash, just want the proxy working: pick Clash Plus on Windows/macOS, and Clash Plus on Android too — its onboarding flow requires the least effort.
- Frequently editing rules or tuning policy groups: pick Clash Verge Rev on Windows/macOS — its config management and multi-subscription switching are the most flexible.
- Older device, older OS, want something lightweight: pick Clash Nyanpasu on Windows, and the universal or matching architecture package of Clash for Android on mobile.
- Using multiple platforms, want a consistent workflow: install FlClash across all three desktop platforms and Android, trading some rule-editing depth for cross-device consistency.
- Migrating from the old ClashX, used to menu bar interaction: switch straight to ClashX Meta on macOS — the workflow needs almost no relearning.
Common questions
Can I install two Clash clients on the same device?
You can install both, but running them at the same time isn't recommended. Both clients will try to take over the system proxy or TUN adapter, which can cause port conflicts or routing table issues. Fully quit one before starting the other.
Do I need to reconfigure my subscription when switching clients?
No need to regenerate the subscription link — just paste your existing subscription URL into the new client. If you want to reuse custom rule files you've already written locally, remember to copy those config files over as well.
Does a higher version number in the UI always mean it's newer?
The client shell's version number and the kernel version follow separate numbering systems. To judge how current the kernel is, check the kernel version or the mihomo/Meta version noted in the changelog — not just the client installer's version number.