ClashX vs Surge vs V2RayU: In-Depth Comparison of macOS Proxy Tools 2025

🎯 Quick Conclusion

If you want a quick answer, here are my recommendations:

📊 Comparison Overview

⚡ Performance Comparison

Test Environment:

• Device: MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro (16GB RAM)
• System: macOS Sonoma 14.3
• Network: 500Mbps Fiber
• Node: Hong Kong IPLC (Same node tested for all tools)

1. Memory Usage

Conclusion: Surge has the best memory optimization, V2RayU has the highest usage. ClashX is in the middle and performs stably.

2. CPU Usage

Conclusion: Surge has the best CPU optimization, thanks to native Apple Silicon support. ClashX runs through Rosetta 2 with < 5% performance loss, negligible.

3. Latency Impact

Test Method: Compare ping latency between direct connection and proxy access to the same server.

Conclusion: Latency difference among the three is 5-10ms, imperceptible to humans. Surge is slightly better, but the difference is negligible in actual use.

4. Throughput (Download Speed)

Test Method: Download 1GB test file through each proxy tool and measure maximum speed.

Conclusion: Surge throughput is closest to direct connection (only 3% loss), ClashX second (6% loss), V2RayU has the largest loss (10%).

🔧 Detailed Feature Comparison

1. Rule Engine

ClashX

• ✅ Supports DOMAIN, DOMAIN-SUFFIX, DOMAIN-KEYWORD
• ✅ Supports IP-CIDR, GEOIP
• ✅ Supports Proxy Groups
• ✅ Supports URL-TEST, FALLBACK, LOAD-BALANCE
• ❌ No JavaScript script support

# ClashX Rules example
rules:
  - DOMAIN-SUFFIX,google.com,Proxy
  - DOMAIN-KEYWORD,youtube,Proxy
  - GEOIP,CN,DIRECT
  - MATCH,Proxy

Surge

• ✅ Supports all ClashX rule types
• ✅ Supports JavaScript scripts (Powerful!)
• ✅ Supports URL-REGEX, USER-AGENT
• ✅ Supports PROCESS-NAME (Process-based routing)
• ✅ Supports Module system

# Surge Rules example (supports scripts)
[Rule]
DOMAIN-SUFFIX,google.com,Proxy
PROCESS-NAME,Telegram,Proxy
URL-REGEX,^https?://.*\.youtube\.com,Proxy
SCRIPT,network-changed,script-path=network.js

V2RayU

• ✅ Supports V2Ray routing rules
• ✅ Supports multi-dimensional matching (domain, IP, port)
• ✅ Supports geosite, geoip databases
• ❌ Configuration syntax is relatively complex

Summary: Surge > ClashX ≈ V2RayU. Surge's scripting functionality and module system are killer features for advanced users.

2. Protocol Support

Summary: V2RayU > ClashX ≈ Surge. If you need VLESS, XTLS or other new protocols, V2RayU is the only choice.

3. Advanced Features

HTTP Capture / MITM

Surge's packet capture is comparable to Charles, extremely developer-friendly.

Performance Analysis

• ClashX: Basic latency testing, traffic stats
• Surge: Detailed connection logs, DNS query records, performance stats, module status
• V2RayU: Basic logs, traffic stats

Automation Features

• ClashX: Auto speed test, auto switching (URL-TEST)
• Surge: Auto speed test, network switching scripts, scheduled tasks, Cron jobs
• V2RayU: Basic auto switching

💰 Price and Value Analysis

ClashX

• Price: Free
  Open Source: Yes (Source code viewable on GitHub)
  Total Cost (3 years): $0

Surge

• Subscription: $49.99/year
  Perpetual: $99.99 (One-time)
• Total Cost (3 years):

V2RayU

• Price: Free
  Open Source: Yes
  Total Cost (3 years): $0

Value Analysis

My Recommendation: Use ClashX for 3-6 months first. If you find the features insufficient (need packet capture, scripts, etc.), then upgrade to Surge.

📱 User Interface and Usability

ClashX

Design Style: Simple, function-oriented

• ✅ Menu bar operation, doesn't occupy Dock space
• ✅ One-click proxy mode switching (Rule/Global/Direct)
• ✅ Visual node selection
• ⚠️ Configuration requires manual YAML editing (learning curve)

Surge

Design Style: Modern, professional, information-dense

• ✅ Native macOS design language
• ✅ Graphical configuration interface (partial features)
• ✅ Detailed connection logs and statistics charts
• ✅ Module store (one-click install rules and scripts)
• ⚠️ Too many features, beginners can get lost

V2RayU

Design Style: Plain, technical-oriented

• ⚠️ UI is outdated, not modern enough
• ⚠️ Configuration interface is complex with many fields
• ✅ Supports importing VMess/VLESS links
• ❌ Lacks visual assistance tools

Summary: Surge > ClashX > V2RayU. Surge's UI/UX is industry-leading.

🔍 Use Case Analysis

Scenario 1: Daily Web Browsing + Video Streaming

Recommendation: ClashX

Reasons:

• Free, features are sufficient
• Rule-based routing meets 95% of needs
• Low memory and CPU usage

Scenario 2: Web Development + API Debugging

Recommendation: Surge

Reasons:

• Powerful HTTP packet capture
• Can view request/response details
• Supports request rewriting and Mock
• Saves Charles cost (Charles $50)

Scenario 3: Gaming

Recommendation: ClashX or Surge

Reasons:

• Low latency (< 5ms extra delay)
• UDP support (commonly used in games)
• V2RayU has slightly higher latency, not recommended

Scenario 4: Special Protocols Needed (VLESS, XTLS)

Recommendation: V2RayU

Reasons:

• Only tool supporting VLESS, XTLS
• Most comprehensive protocol support

Scenario 5: Enterprise + Compliance

Recommendation: Surge

Reasons:

• Commercial software with official support
• Detailed audit logs
• Enterprise can issue invoices

⚖️ Pros and Cons Summary

ClashX

Surge

V2RayU

🎓 Learning Curve Comparison

🚀 Migration Recommendations

Migrating from ClashX to Surge

Difficulty: Medium

• Similar rule syntax, but Surge is richer
• Can use online tools to convert config
• Estimated 2-3 hours to complete migration

Migrating from ClashX to V2RayU

Difficulty: High

• Completely different config format
• Need to relearn V2Ray config syntax
• Estimated 5-8 hours to complete migration

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I still use ClashX after it's discontinued?

A: Yes. It runs perfectly on macOS Sonoma 14.x. But note:

• macOS 15/16 future major versions may not be compatible
• Security vulnerabilities won't be fixed
• Recommended to follow community-maintained versions (e.g., ClashX Pro)

Q2: How to choose between Surge perpetual and subscription?

A:

• Perpetual ($99.99): More cost-effective for long-term use (> 2 years to break even)
• Subscription ($49.99/year): Want to try first, or concerned about long-term commitment

My recommendation: Buy 1-year subscription to try first, then buy perpetual after confirming long-term use.

Q3: Which one for M1/M2/M3 Mac?

A:

• Performance Priority: Surge (Native support, best performance)
• Free Priority: ClashX (Rosetta 2 performance loss < 5%, negligible)
• Special Protocols: V2RayU (Native support + VLESS/XTLS)

Q4: How about security of all three?

A:

• ClashX: Open source, code auditable, relatively safe
• Surge: Closed source, but commercial software with good reputation
• V2RayU: Open source, security similar to ClashX

Recommendation: Download from official channels, don't use cracked versions.

📊 Final Ratings

🎯 Summary and Recommendations

Recommendations for Different Users

🔗 Related Reading

• Complete ClashX Installation Guide
• ClashX Configuration File Explained
• ClashX Common Issues and Solutions
• Complete ClashX Configuration File Analysis
• ClashX Quick Start Tutorial