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.
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 / 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 |
Recommendation: universal clients give you more control and work with any provider — every client below is one of those.
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 |
| Works even on Apple TV | - |
| Free | - |
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: 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
The client is picked. Next you paste the subscription link into it — how that’s done, it takes half a minute.
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
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.su
The Happ setup guide — five minutes, subscription included.
INCY
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 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
The client is picked. Next you paste the subscription link into it — how that’s done, it takes half a minute.
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 — 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
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.
Download: GitHub
Hiddify (GUI)
Works on Linux but requires testing on your distribution.
Download: 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
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.
