Three clients · Four platforms · Two cores

V2Ray Client Comparison: v2rayN, v2rayNG, and v2flyNG

When choosing a client, confirm the operating system first, then determine whether you need the Xray or v2fly core, and finally compare subscription management, routing rules, and TUN usage. For desktop platforms, start with v2rayN; for Android, v2rayNG is usually the first option to check.

View Client Downloads Read the Full Comparison
  • Platform Support
  • Xray / v2fly Core
  • Subscription Groups
  • Routing Rules UI
  • TUN Support
Key Dimensions

Three V2Ray Clients Compared

Maintenance status and difficulty are qualitative descriptions, not version numbers or ratings. Available features may also depend on operating-system permissions, core configuration, and specific protocol parameters.

Platform, core, maintenance status, and feature differences among v2rayN, v2rayNG, and v2flyNG
Comparison Criteria v2rayN v2rayNG v2flyNG
Platform Support Windows、macOS、Linux Android Android
Primary Core Xray Xray v2fly
Maintenance Status Actively maintained Actively maintained Ongoing maintenance
Ease of Use Low. The desktop menus are comprehensive, making it easy to manage subscriptions, proxy modes, and routing rules through the graphical interface. Low. Import a subscription, choose a configuration, and follow the straightforward system connection authorization steps. Moderate. Basic operations are clear, but it is better suited to users who already know they need the v2fly core.
Subscription Groups Supported. Manage multiple subscription sources by purpose, with separate update and selection controls. Subscription management is supported, allowing mobile users to update configurations and switch between entries. Basic subscription management is supported, with the workflow focused on using v2fly configurations.
Routing Rules UI The desktop UI offers comprehensive visual configuration, making it easy to review routing modes, rule sets, and outbound relationships. Mobile routing settings are available and can be used with domain, IP, and predefined rules. Basic routing configuration is available; complex rules require a better understanding of v2fly fields.
TUN Support TUN-related configuration is available, while the activation method and permission requirements vary by desktop operating system. It takes over app traffic through Android’s network connection mechanism, making it suitable for unified forwarding on mobile devices. It can take over mobile traffic; actual behavior depends on the v2fly core and system permissions.
Key Features Subscription groups, system proxy, routing rules UI, log viewer, core parameters, and desktop tray controls. Quick mobile start and stop, per-app settings, subscription updates, routing configuration, and network-switching support. The v2fly core path, basic subscription management, mobile connection controls, and routing settings.
Ideal Users Desktop users, advanced users who need graphical rule management, and multi-device users who want a consistent desktop workflow. Most Android users, as well as users who need Xray protocol features and per-app settings on mobile. Users who specifically need the v2fly core, already have matching configurations, or want to retain an alternative Android core implementation.
Detailed Review

What Each Client Is Designed For

The main differences among the three clients come from their platform focus and core selection. The sections below explain each client’s strengths, limitations, and best-fit use cases along the actual workflow.

N Top Desktop Pick
  • PlatformWindows / macOS / Linux
  • CoreXray
  • Learning curveLow

v2rayN: A Complete Desktop Configuration Hub

v2rayN brings subscriptions, server profiles, system proxy, routing rules, and log inspection together in one desktop interface. For desktop users new to V2Ray clients, the typical workflow is to add a subscription URL, update the subscription, choose a profile, and enable automatic system proxy configuration. Its settings also cover the local SOCKS listening port, LAN access, traffic sniffing, Mux, and log levels.

For advanced use, v2rayN makes routing relationships easier to inspect. Users can choose outbounds such as direct and proxy by domain or IP range, together with rules like geosite:cn and geoip:private for common traffic. If TUN is needed, also verify system permissions, the DNS path, and conflicts with the existing system proxy; TUN is not a default requirement for every configuration.

v2rayN offers a cross-platform desktop interface as well as the classic Windows WPF version. The former suits users who want a similar workflow across desktop systems; the latter suits users already familiar with the classic Windows interface. Choose between them according to the system notes on the download page—there is no need to install both.

Download for Windows View macOS Version View Linux Version
NG Top Android Pick
  • PlatformAndroid
  • CoreXray
  • Learning curveLow

v2rayNG: An Xray Client for Android

v2rayNG is designed for Android users who need Xray core protocol support, subscription updates, and mobile routing control. The usual workflow is to update configurations from a subscription URL, select an entry, authorize the system network connection, and start it. When switching between mobile and wireless networks, the client may need to reconnect. If the app cannot access the network, first check the connection status, battery-saving restrictions, and per-app settings.

Compared with desktop interfaces, v2rayNG focuses on fast operation in a touch environment. Subscriptions, configuration lists, routing settings, and connection controls are grouped in the mobile menus, rather than exposing every complex JSON field on the home screen. Use per-app settings when traffic paths need to differ by app. For domain-based routing, also check traffic sniffing and DNS settings so rules do not match only the IP address while missing the destination domain.

Download packages typically offer a choice between arm64 and universal builds. Most newer Android devices can start with arm64. If the processor architecture is unknown or installation is incompatible, try the universal build. Package type affects only device-architecture compatibility; it does not change subscription content or server parameters.

Download v2rayNG View the Import Guide
VF v2fly Path
  • PlatformAndroid
  • Corev2fly
  • Learning curveModerate

v2flyNG: Choose It When You Specifically Need the v2fly Core

v2flyNG also targets Android, but its core choice is v2fly. It suits users whose server configuration, share links, or established workflow is explicitly built around the v2fly implementation, and provides another core option on Android. The basic workflow still includes importing a configuration, updating a subscription, selecting an entry, and starting the connection, so switching from another graphical client does not require relearning every concept.

The key reason to choose v2flyNG should be core compatibility, not appearance. Xray and v2fly are both part of the Project V ecosystem, but they differ in some protocol extensions, transport features, and configuration fields. A parameter appearing in a subscription does not mean both cores handle it in the same way. If an import succeeds but the connection fails, first check the share-link format, protocol fields, and server requirements instead of repeatedly changing the system proxy mode.

For users with common basic configurations, v2flyNG can handle everyday subscription and connection management. Configurations that rely on Xray features such as REALITY should use a client built on the Xray core. Downloads can likewise be selected by device architecture, using arm64 or the universal build.

Download v2flyNG View Configuration Reference
Use-Case Guide

Choose a Client by Use Case

If the platform is settled but the core or feature focus is still unclear, narrow the choice with the four use cases below.

Selection Order

A Four-Step Check from Platform to Configuration

Client selection can follow a fixed checklist. Confirm each item in order to avoid discovering only after installation that the platform or core is incompatible.

  1. 01

    Confirm the Operating System

    Choose v2rayN for Windows, macOS, and Linux; on Android, choose between v2rayNG and v2flyNG. Packages for different systems cannot be mixed, and desktop configuration interfaces differ from mobile network authorization flows.

  2. 02

    Verify the Required Core

    Choose v2rayN or v2rayNG when Xray features are required; choose v2flyNG when the configuration explicitly uses v2fly. VMess, VLESS, or Trojan alone is not enough to decide—also check the transport layer, security parameters, and extension fields.

  3. 03

    Assess Management Complexity

    With one subscription and default routing, the basic workflow is short in all three clients. When you need multiple subscription groups, complex routing, system proxy modes, and log analysis, v2rayN’s denser desktop interface is better suited to ongoing adjustments.

  4. 04

    Change Only What You Need After Downloading

    First verify the basic connection with the complete parameters supplied by the subscription. Then enable LAN access, per-app routing, traffic sniffing, or TUN only as needed. After changing the listening port, also check the proxy port configured in browsers, command-line tools, and other apps.

Conclusion

Choose v2rayN on Desktop and v2rayNG First on Android

Most users do not need to keep trying all three clients. Once the platform and core are known, the shortlist usually narrows to one primary option.

Desktop Recommendation

Windows、macOS、Linux：v2rayN

v2rayN provides the subscription groups, system proxy, parameter settings, routing rules, and log access expected on desktop. New users can start with the default proxy mode, while advanced users can configure traffic sniffing, DNS, and TUN as needed.

Go to the v2rayN Download
Android Recommendation

Standard Android Use: v2rayNG

v2rayNG uses the Xray core and suits most Android subscription, routing, and per-app scenarios. Choose v2flyNG only when the configuration explicitly requires the v2fly core.

View Android Downloads
Download v2rayN