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 - and how to choose the best VPN service, without which no client works at all.
How to choose the best VPN in 2026: what to look at
A client app (Happ, INCY, v2RayTun below) is only half the job: all it does is connect to the service’s servers. Whether the VPN keeps working is decided by the service itself. Here is how to tell the one that will keep working from the one that stops in a week:
- A modern protocol with masking. VLESS + Reality is the steadiest right now, with AmneziaWG behind it. Classic OpenVPN and WireGuard work only some of the time.
- Its own infrastructure. Services running on servers rented from shared hosts tend to fall over in waves. An own network holds up better.
- The service is maintained. Protocols and servers need upkeep - abandoned services are the first to stop working.
- Several protocols to choose from - that is visible right in the app: if the protocol can be switched, the service has something in reserve.
By these criteria you can take Tainet VPN with no card - 7 days free: VLESS + Reality, its own infrastructure, one subscription for every device and any client from the list below.
The Order Is Always the Same
A client is a window: it draws the list of servers and the connect button. The servers come from a subscription. That is why the order is always the same, and it takes about five minutes:
Step 1. Pick a client for your system. The sections below: Windows · macOS · Android · iOS and iPadOS · Linux. If you would rather not choose — Happ on Windows and Android, Streisand on iPhone and Mac.
Step 2. Get the subscription link. It is a long string that starts with vless:// or https://. A connection service issues it — with Tainet it appears the moment you start the free trial, in the Telegram bot or in your account on this site.
Step 3. Paste the link into the client. In any app that is the ”+” button → “Paste from clipboard” or “Add subscription”. More on that in How to Import Configuration.
⚠️ Steps 1 and 3 are free and identical everywhere. Only step 2 differs — and it is what decides whether the connection works at all.
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 |
Standing apart is a VPN browser extension - it works on tabs only and is not a client in this sense.
Recommendation: universal clients give you more control and work with any provider — every client below is one of those.
Windows
If you are only starting out, begin with the general order of things: VPN on a computer: where to start.
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.info
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 |
| Works even on Apple TV | - |
| Free | - |
Download: incy.cc or INCY on GitHub
A client gaining popularity fast; a detailed INCY setup guide is 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: Hiddify on GitHub
For the details, there is a step-by-step Hiddify setup.
Karing
A cross-platform client on the sing-box engine: the same program installs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iPhone. The detailed card is in the Android section below.
Download: karing.app or Karing on GitHub.
v2rayN
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, Trojan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many settings | Complex interface |
| Flexible routing | Windows only |
| Active development | - |
Download: v2rayN on GitHub
Nekoray
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, Trojan, Naive
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cross-platform | ⚠️ Development has stopped |
| Simple interface | Repository archived on 17 March 2025 |
| sing-box core | - |
🔴 The client is no longer updated - it is not worth installing. For a computer take a living client: download v2rayN from GitHub or download Hiddify from GitHub. ⚠️ Not to be confused with NekoBox for Android, which is active - installing NekoBox on Android is covered separately.
The client is picked. Next you paste the subscription link into it — how that’s done, it takes half a minute.
macOS
The whole path from scratch - picking a client, connecting, older systems included - is collected in how to install a VPN on a MacBook from scratch.
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.info; Hiddify — Hiddify from the GitHub repository
Shadowrocket (Paid, ~$3)
More on it in the breakdown of Shadowrocket: price, installation and what replaces it on Android and Windows.
Protocols: all modern ones
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best functionality | Paid |
| Excellent stability | Requires a non-Russian Apple ID |
Download: App Store
macOS 10.14 and older
The clients above will not install on such a system: in the App Store, Streisand, Happ, Hiddify and V2Box all require macOS 12 and an Apple chip (they do not install on Intel Macs at all), and the mildest path — the Hiddify installer from the project site — asks for macOS 10.15. The subscription has nothing to do with it.
There is one working path — sing-box: it speaks both VLESS and Hysteria2, and for older systems it ships a separate build — the archive marked legacy-macos-10.13 on the releases page. It is driven from the terminal with a config file; sing-box does have a graphical app too, but that one needs macOS 13 or newer. If the terminal does not suit you, it is easier to set the connection up on a router — the Mac then goes out through it and there is nothing to configure on the system itself.
The client is picked. Next you paste the subscription link into it — how that’s done, it takes half a minute.
Android
Happ (Recommended)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One-tap subscription, 17M+ installs | - |
| Google Play + APK | - |
| Split routing out of the box | - |
Download: Google Play or happ.info
The Happ setup guide — five minutes, subscription included.
INCY
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All modern protocols | - |
| Google Play and Android TV | - |
| Minimal interface | - |
Download: incy.cc or INCY from the GitHub repository
Hiddify
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All protocols | - |
| Simple interface | - |
| Play Store + APK | - |
Download: Google Play or the Hiddify build on GitHub
v2rayNG
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, Trojan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Popular | Outdated interface |
| Stable | Fewer features |
| Lightweight | - |
Download: v2rayNG on GitHub. In detail, how to install v2rayNG on Android - which APK to take and what to do about the system warning - is covered separately.
v2RayTun
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Trojan, Shadowsocks
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple subscription import | No iPhone or Mac version |
| Windows build available | No Linux version |
| Play Store + project site | - |
Download: Google Play. In detail - how to set up v2RayTun.
Karing
Protocols: VLESS, VMess, Trojan, Shadowsocks, Hysteria2, WireGuard
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One client for every system, Apple TV included | More settings than the simple clients |
| Smart server switching by rules | - |
| Open source, Russian interface | - |
Download: karing.app or Karing from the GitHub repository; on iPhone and Mac from the App Store. Do not take it from third-party sites: all your traffic goes through the client.
Karing is only an app and provides no servers of its own: you need a subscription from a service. With Tainet it is one subscription for every device with no limit, the first 7 days free and no card - the link goes in with a couple of taps.
NekoBox
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Advanced features | More complex |
| Flexible routing | - |
| sing-box core | - |
Download: NekoBox on GitHub. Step by step: installing NekoBox on Android in detail, including the system permission and how it differs from NekoRay.
The client is picked. Next you paste the subscription link into it — how that’s done, it takes half a minute.
VPN clients for iOS: what works on iPhone and iPad
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 — on Apple TV included, and free. How to set it up — see the INCY instructions.
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
Karing
The same client as in the Android section - it is in the App Store and installs without changing region. Handy if besides the iPhone you have a computer or an Apple TV: one subscription, one app.
Download: the App Store, search for “karing”.
V2Box
A free backup option from the App Store with basic functionality.
Download: App Store
The client is picked. Next you paste the subscription link into it — how that’s done, it takes half a minute.
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. 🔴 Development has stopped and the repository is archived - for Linux take a living client: download Hiddify from GitHub.
Hiddify (GUI)
Works on Linux but requires testing on your distribution.
Download: Hiddify for Linux on GitHub
The client is picked. Next you paste the subscription link into it — how that’s done, it takes half a minute.
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.
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
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 it on every screen, Apple TV included: INCY
- 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.
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
Which paid VPN is the best in 2026
A paid VPN is worth choosing by the same criteria: a masking protocol (VLESS + Reality), its own infrastructure, regular updates. Price on its own guarantees nothing - a cheap service on an old protocol will stop working just as fast. With Tainet, in 4 years of operation there has never been a case of every server going down at once: when individual nodes dropped out, traffic kept going through the others. Plus its own infrastructure and VLESS + Reality. You can try it free for 7 days with no card before paying - and any client will do: Happ, INCY, v2RayTun.
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 and the same protocols. INCY is on Apple TV and is more minimalist; Happ has been around longer. The subscription is the same — try both; step-by-step guides: INCY, Happ.
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.
