Choose the platform first, then check the node protocols and core requirements. For desktop devices, start with v2rayN; for Android, v2rayNG is usually the better choice. Consider v2flyNG only when V2Fly core compatibility is specifically required.
In most cases, the platform narrows the choices first. The core and advanced features make up the second round of selection.
Best for desktop users who manage multiple subscriptions, server groups, routing rules, and system proxy settings over time. Its GUI covers everything from subscription imports to advanced traffic splitting, while leaving room to configure TUN, DNS, and custom routes.
View the v2rayN download page →Best for Android users who want to import subscriptions, switch configurations quickly, and use Xray core capabilities. Common tasks are easy to find, protocol coverage is broad, and it is a practical default for typical mobile subscription configurations.
View the v2rayNG download page →Best for Android users working with V2Fly-specific configurations or testing how a configuration behaves with the V2Fly core. If the subscription has no core requirement and the nodes rely on Xray-oriented protocol features, start with v2rayNG instead.
View the v2flyNG download page →Maintenance status in the table is a qualitative assessment, not a fixed release schedule. Feature availability also depends on operating-system permissions, core capabilities, and the specific configuration.
| Comparison criteria | v2rayN | v2rayNG | v2flyNG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform support | Windows、macOS、Linux | Android | Android |
| Primary core | Xray, configurable according to the client's core management features | Xray | V2Fly |
| Maintenance status | Actively maintained | Actively maintained | Maintained |
| Ease of use | Moderate; basic connections are simple, with many advanced settings | Low; common mobile actions are grouped together | Low; navigation follows familiar mobile usage patterns |
| Subscription management | Supports multiple subscriptions, groups, updates, and server filtering | Supports subscription imports, updates, and configuration switching | Supports subscription imports, updates, and configuration switching |
| Routing rules interface | A comprehensive desktop configuration set for fine-grained rules | Provides mobile routing settings and rule options | Provides routing settings based on V2Fly capabilities |
| TUN support | Supported; well suited to desktop use cases that need to cover more application traffic | Supported; system connection permission is required when enabled | Availability depends on client capabilities and the system environment |
| Key features | Subscription groups, server filtering, routing rules UI, system proxy, and TUN | Mobile subscription management, per-app settings, routing configuration, and Xray protocol capabilities | V2Fly core compatibility, mobile subscription management, and basic routing configuration |
| Best for | Desktop users, users with multiple subscriptions, and users who need advanced traffic splitting | Most Android users and users working with Xray configurations | Android users who specifically need the V2Fly core |
Expand each review to see the client's strengths, configuration priorities, and best-fit scenarios.
v2rayN's main advantage is not a single connect button, but its end-to-end coverage of the desktop configuration workflow. Import one or more subscriptions, update the server list, then organize configurations with groups, notes, and filters. As subscriptions grow, this is more efficient than maintaining entries manually one by one.
Routing rules are a key reason v2rayN suits advanced users. Common domains, IP ranges, and default exits can be managed centrally, with dedicated controls for the system proxy, TUN, DNS, and startup behavior. Beginners only need to import a subscription, choose a server, and enable the system proxy. Fine-tune routing and DNS gradually when more precise traffic splitting is needed, rather than changing too many variables at once.
The trade-off is that more desktop features mean deeper settings. On first use, do not start with advanced parameters. Confirm that the subscription updates, servers are selectable, and the system proxy status is correct before opening the routing rules. This order separates subscription issues, node issues, and local proxy issues.
v2rayNG puts subscription updates, configuration selection, connection controls, and routing settings within easy reach on mobile. For users who only need to import a subscription and connect, the workflow is short. Users who need configuration details, different routing modes, or per-app behavior can still access deeper settings.
The Xray core is a major reason to choose v2rayNG. When a node configuration includes Xray-oriented protocols or transport features, v2rayNG can reduce import failures and connection issues caused by a core mismatch. When troubleshooting, check in order whether the subscription updated successfully, the current configuration is complete, system connection permission was granted, and the routing mode matches expectations.
After switching between mobile and Wi-Fi networks, the existing connection state may need to be checked again. If the client appears active but the target app does not connect as expected, reselect the current configuration, then check per-app settings and system battery restrictions. Do not change DNS, routing, and transport parameters simultaneously before the basic connection is confirmed.
v2flyNG is best understood through core compatibility. It uses the V2Fly core and suits subscriptions that explicitly require V2Fly, or users who need to observe how the same standard configuration behaves in a V2Fly environment. Without that need, keeping both Android clients as daily drivers usually adds configuration and troubleshooting overhead.
Subscription import and basic connection steps resemble those of common Android clients, but the supported protocol boundary depends on the V2Fly core. A configuration being importable does not mean every field is implemented by the current core. If parsing fails or startup behaves unexpectedly, check the node's protocol and transport first, then decide whether v2rayNG with the Xray core is more appropriate.
For users whose configurations mainly use common options such as VMess and whose subscription is explicitly compatible with V2Fly, v2flyNG offers a straightforward workflow. Configurations that require newer Xray extensions should not be treated as ordinary client-setting problems; the core difference matters.
The same device platform can still lead to different choices depending on subscription count, configuration depth, and hardware.
Follow the sequence instead of choosing based only on the client name or a similar interface.
Windows, macOS, and Linux fall within v2rayN's selection range; on Android, choose between v2rayNG and v2flyNG. If the platform is incompatible, the feature comparison that follows is not useful.
Confirm the protocols, transport methods, and any explicit core requirements. When Xray-related capabilities appear, choose v2rayNG or desktop v2rayN; when V2Fly compatibility is clearly specified, v2flyNG is an option on Android.
With one subscription and default routing, basic features are enough. When you need subscription groups, server filtering, fine-grained routing, TUN, or DNS tuning, v2rayN's desktop management interface is better suited to long-term maintenance.
Running multiple network clients on the same device can cause conflicts between system connection, TUN, and routing states. After testing, keep the client that matches the current configuration. Before switching, stop the existing connection and check the system state again.
Choose v2flyNG only when V2Fly core compatibility is required. On the download page, select the package for your platform and processor architecture, then follow the user guide to import a subscription and configure the connection.