Client Selection

V2Ray Client Selection Guide

v2rayN, v2rayNG, and v2flyNG are the three most actively maintained GUI clients in the V2Ray ecosystem. They differ in platform coverage, core options, and feature focus: v2rayN is the most feature-complete on desktop, v2rayNG is the most mature on Android, and v2flyNG is the alternative for the v2fly core. This page explains the differences at a glance.

v2rayN · Desktop v2rayNG · Android v2flyNG · Android

Quick Verdict

Don't want to read the full comparison? Start with these three points.

Best for Desktop

Windows / macOS / Linux

v2rayN

Cross-platform desktop client with Xray and v2fly dual-core support, offering the most complete routing rules UI and subscription group features. The top choice for desktop users.

Best for Android

Android

v2rayNG

The go-to client on Android, with Xray core by default and smooth subscription import and TUN mode. The top choice for Android users.

Alternative

Android

v2flyNG

An Android client using the v2fly core, with features comparable to v2rayNG. A good option for users who prefer the v2fly ecosystem.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Comparison dimensions are based on real-world experience, not version numbers or ratings.

Comparison Dimension	v2rayN	v2rayNG	v2flyNG
Platform Support	Windows / macOS / Linux	Android	Android
Default Core	Xray / v2fly dual-core	Xray	v2fly
Maintenance Status	Actively maintained	Actively maintained	Actively maintained
Learning Curve	Moderate	Low	Low
Subscription Groups	Supported	Supported	Supported
Routing Rules UI	Graphical editor	Presets + custom	Presets + custom
TUN Mode	Supported	Supported	Supported
Best For	Desktop users / Advanced users	Primary Android users	v2fly core enthusiasts

Comparison note: Core differences can affect connection compatibility and performance, but in most use cases, the difference between Xray and v2fly cores is not significant. The main difference in routing rules UI is that v2rayN offers more complete graphical editing, while the two Android clients rely primarily on preset rules.

Individual Reviews

There are many GUI clients in the V2Ray ecosystem, but these three are the most actively maintained and widely used. v2rayN covers all three desktop platforms, while v2rayNG and v2flyNG cover Android. Other clients are either unmaintained or support only a single platform, so they're not recommended for daily use.

Best for Desktop Windows / macOS / Linux Xray / v2fly dual-core

v2rayN

The most feature-complete V2Ray client on desktop, with many configuration options organized clearly. Ideal for users who need V2Ray on desktop and require fine-grained routing control.

Key Strengths

Subscription group management: Supports multiple subscription groups with independent update intervals and node filtering. Great for users who use multiple provider subscriptions at once.
Routing rules UI: Provides graphical routing rule editing with geosite / geoip rule import. Split-routing configurations like direct connections in mainland China and proxying outside China don't require hand-writing JSON.
TUN mode: Supports global TUN takeover. Once enabled, there's no need to manually set the system proxy; application traffic automatically goes through the proxy.
Core switching: Can switch between Xray and v2fly cores, making it easy to test connection behavior under different cores.

Best For

Desktop users, as well as advanced users who need custom split-routing rules and fine-grained proxy control. First-time V2Ray users can also start with v2rayN, as the setup wizard and subscription import flow are intuitive.

Best for Android Android Xray core

v2rayNG

The most mature V2Ray client on Android, with an interface optimized for touch and a low learning curve.

Key Strengths

Subscription import: Supports batch importing nodes from subscription links, automatically generating the node list without manual entry.
Routing rules: Offers preset routing modes and supports custom rules. The default configuration covers most use cases.
TUN mode: Supports Android TUN mode for global proxying without root access.
Clean interface: The main screen shows only key information, making node switching and connection status clear at a glance.

Best For

Primary Android users, as well as those who want to set up quickly on mobile. v2rayNG's configuration flow is relatively simple and beginner-friendly.

Alternative Android v2fly core

v2flyNG

An Android client using the v2fly core, with features comparable to v2rayNG. Suitable for users who prefer the v2fly ecosystem.

Key Strengths

Subscription import: Supports batch importing from subscription links, with the same workflow as v2rayNG.
Routing rules: Provides rule configuration with support for presets and custom rules.
TUN mode: Supports TUN global proxying, with an experience similar to v2rayNG.
v2fly core: Uses the v2fly core, complementing v2rayNG's Xray core.

Best For

Android users with specific needs for the v2fly core. If v2rayNG doesn't perform well in certain network environments, v2flyNG is worth trying as an alternative.

Choose by Use Case

Different devices and habits lead to different conclusions.

Decided Which One?

Head to the download page to get the client installer for your platform, and choose the corresponding entry.

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