Start by narrowing the options by operating system, then check the core, maintenance status and configuration style. This guide explains where popular clients fit, helping beginners, advanced users and people with multiple devices find the right download.
“Ease of setup” covers importing a subscription for the first time and completing system proxy setup. “Advanced features” refers to how much control you have over rules, scripts, TUN and configuration files. Maintenance is described qualitatively rather than replaced by version numbers or ratings.
| Client | Platform support | Core | Maintenance | Ease of setup | Key features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clash Plus | Windows、macOS、Android、iOS | Mihomo ecosystem | Actively maintained | Low | Cross-platform GUI, subscription management, policy groups and system proxy controls | Everyday users who want quick setup and people using multiple devices |
| Clash Verge Rev | Windows、macOS、Linux | Mihomo | Actively maintained | Medium | Desktop tray controls, rules and scripts, configuration file editing | Users who need advanced desktop configuration |
| FlClash | Windows、macOS、Linux、Android | Mihomo | Actively maintained | Medium | Cross-platform interface, configuration switching, and a consistent desktop-to-mobile workflow | Users who need multiple systems covered and are willing to understand their configuration |
| Clash Nyanpasu | Windows | Mihomo | Actively maintained | Medium | Windows desktop management, system proxy controls, rules and configuration access | Users who only use Windows and prefer a desktop client |
| Clash for Windows | Windows | Original Clash line | No longer maintained | Low | Straightforward interface, extensive legacy documentation and clear basic proxy controls | Maintainers or migrating users who only need to work with legacy configurations |
| Clash Meta for Android | Android | Clash Meta | Actively maintained | Medium | VpnService, mobile proxying, policy groups and rule configuration | Users who want Meta core capabilities directly on Android |
| Surfboard | Android | Clash Meta line | Actively maintained | Medium | Mobile rule-based proxying, VPN service and policy group switching | Users familiar with Android network permissions and rule configuration |
| ClashX Meta | macOS | Clash Meta | No longer maintained | Low | Menu bar proxy controls and macOS desktop integration | Users working with older macOS configurations |
When reading the table, check “Platform support” and “Maintenance” first. Then filter by whether you need Mihomo rules, scripts or TUN capabilities.
Choosing a client is not simply about counting features. System permissions, number of devices, configuration complexity and future maintenance usually matter more than whether the interfaces look alike.
Start with Clash Plus. It covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, making it easy to import a subscription, choose a mode and authorize the system proxy. After the first connection works, use logs and rule requirements to decide whether a more configuration-focused desktop client is worthwhile.
Windows, macOS or Linux users can start with Clash Verge Rev; users working across desktop and Android can consider FlClash. Both suit people willing to read configuration options, understand policy groups and check rule matches.
Compare the platform coverage of Clash Plus and FlClash first. Clash Plus is better suited as an everyday entry point, while FlClash is a good fit for users who want similar configuration logic across systems. iOS users must also complete proxy setup through the App Store client’s authorization flow.
Clash for Windows has extensive legacy documentation, which can help when working with old configuration files and interfaces. However, it is no longer maintained. For new installations, choose a maintained desktop client and migrate proxy, rule and DNS settings from the old configuration one by one.
The notes below do not declare a single “best” client. Instead, they explain which workflows each client suits and what to check before installation.
Clash Plus stands out for broad platform coverage and a complete workflow. Windows, macOS, Android and iOS users can follow the same basic sequence: add a subscription, update the configuration, choose a proxy mode, enable the system proxy, then confirm that it works through a connectivity test or connection log. For users new to Clash, reducing interface differences between clients is more practical than studying every YAML field immediately.
If you later need policy groups, rule routing or TUN, review the settings actually exposed by the client and consult the Mihomo documentation. Permission models differ by operating system; a desktop system proxy is not the same as Android VpnService.
View the Clash Plus download page →Clash Verge Rev targets Windows, macOS and Linux desktop users who frequently switch configurations, inspect rule matches, edit scripts or use advanced Mihomo features. Its learning curve comes from its flexibility: subscriptions, configuration files, overrides and policy groups are closely connected, so new users need time to understand each entry point.
If you only need to import one subscription and keep the default rules, Clash Plus usually takes fewer steps. If proxy configuration is part of your daily development, testing or home network workflow, Clash Verge Rev offers more room to work.
FlClash covers Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, making it suitable for users who do not want to completely change their workflow on each platform. You still need to understand how subscriptions, policy groups, rules and system proxies relate, but cross-platform coverage makes configuration migration and everyday habits easier to keep consistent.
Cross-platform does not mean every system feature is identical. Android is affected by VPN permissions, battery optimization and background restrictions, while desktop systems involve system proxy settings, permission prompts and conflicts with network services. After installation, check the proxy switch and connection status separately on each platform.
Clash Nyanpasu suits Windows-only users who prefer desktop tray controls and want Mihomo configuration capabilities. It offers another path for Windows client selection: the interface handles common switches, while users who need more control can adjust the configuration and rules themselves.
When choosing a Windows client, also check system architecture, installer source, existing system proxy usage and other VPN software. When multiple network interception tools run at once, the problem is often a duplicated proxy chain rather than the subscription itself.
Clash for Windows and its legacy tutorials are still easy to find, so it may appear when working on an old computer or maintaining a historical configuration. Its basic workflow is fairly clear and can help identify relationships between fields in old subscriptions, policy groups and rule files.
Because this client is no longer maintained, it is not recommended as the default choice for new devices. During migration, record the proxies, proxy groups, rule sets and DNS settings in the old configuration, then rebuild them one by one in a maintained client instead of copying an outdated configuration wholesale.
Clash Meta for Android suits users who already understand the Clash Meta configuration structure and want to use VpnService proxying on Android. On first launch, grant VPN permission and address system restrictions on background activity, battery usage and auto-start. Otherwise, the VPN may appear connected in the foreground but stop working after switching apps.
It is aimed at users comfortable with configuration. If you only need to import a subscription and use basic switches, Clash Plus may be easier to start with. If you need to inspect mobile rules, DNS or policy group behavior, CMFA provides a better configuration entry point for deeper troubleshooting.
Surfboard targets Android devices and suits users familiar with mobile VPN permissions, rule-based proxying and policy group switching. Its focus is not window-style desktop configuration, but routing system traffic through a VPN service and letting rules determine how different domains or addresses are handled.
After installation, check VPN authorization, the notification-area connection status and battery restrictions before testing your browser and frequently used apps. When an app cannot connect, first determine whether the cause is a rule match, DNS resolution or an Android background restriction rather than simply refreshing the subscription again.
ClashX Meta was suited to menu bar workflows on macOS, including switching the system proxy, selecting configurations and viewing basic runtime status. It can still be useful when maintaining an older device or reading a legacy configuration, but maintenance status should come before interface familiarity when choosing a new client.
macOS users who need ongoing rule maintenance, TUN or current Mihomo capabilities should prioritize maintained desktop clients. During migration, check the system proxy switch, network extension permissions and whether other VPN software is also intercepting traffic.
Original Clash clients use configuration concepts such as proxies, proxy groups, rules and DNS. There is extensive legacy documentation, but the upstream project’s status and the client’s maintenance status must be assessed separately. The fact that a tutorial is still searchable does not mean the client is still updated.
Clash Meta extends support for some protocols, rules, DNS features and system-level traffic handling. Related Android and macOS clients often include Meta in their names. Exact capabilities depend on the integrated version and configuration syntax, so use the client documentation and runtime logs when behavior differs.
Mihomo is the core direction used by many current desktop clients. It suits users who need more detailed rules, scripts, overrides, TUN or DNS routing, but greater flexibility also requires a clearer troubleshooting process: determine whether the issue is in the subscription, core, rules or system permissions.
For users without special configuration requirements, Clash Plus is the safer first choice. It covers a broad range of platforms, focuses everyday tasks on subscriptions, policy groups and system proxies, and works well as a first-install and multi-device entry point. When you need desktop scripts, complex rules or deeper core features, compare Clash Verge Rev, FlClash or the Meta client for your platform.
Clash for Windows and ClashX Meta, both no longer maintained, are better suited to identifying and migrating legacy environments. For new installations, prioritize maintained clients and check proxy groups, rule sets, DNS and system traffic handling after importing an old configuration.