CosmoVPNChoose CosmoVPN if you want all your traffic encrypted by default, on every app, with WireGuard-based modes for blocked networks and an Android TV app.
Comparison
CosmoVPN vs Lantern
How CosmoVPN and Lantern compare on blocked networks, privacy, free versions, apps and price.
Checked on 1 October 2026
Quick verdict
Which one is for you?
CosmoVPNChoose Lantern if you want an open-source tool from a non-profit that only routes blocked sites by default and is free without limits in Iran, Russia and Belarus.
Side by side
Feature by feature
| Feature | CosmoVPN | Lantern |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Yes: no data cap and no account; each connection lasts 1 hour (then you connect again), with ads and fewer locations than Premium. | Yes, without ads: 244 MB a day (then about 128 kbit/s), unlimited in Iran, Russia and Belarus. |
| Account | None for the free version; an e-mail address and password for Premium. | None for the free version; an e-mail address for Pro. |
| Tools for blocked networks | CosmoGhost, made for heavily censored networks, and CosmoShield, which is hard for networks to detect or block. Auto switches to the mode that works on your network. | Built for heavily censored networks, with its own protocols (Samizdat, WATER) and peer-to-peer proxies run by volunteers. By default only blocked and unencrypted sites go through Lantern. |
| Protocols | WireGuard, plus the CosmoGhost and CosmoShield modes; Auto picks the one that works. | Many proxy protocols (Shadowsocks, VLESS, Trojan, Hysteria2, WireGuard, AmneziaWG and its own). |
| Logging | Doesn't log the websites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic. Keeps a record of each connection: time, server, device identifier and model, app version and connection mode. | No logs of browsing, DNS requests or connections; keeps device identifiers and, for Pro, your e-mail address. |
| Audits | No independent audit. | Security audits by NCC Group (2016, 2020), but no no-logs audit. |
| Open source | No. | Yes. |
| Devices | Up to 5 devices per account, free or Premium; the free version also works without an account. | Pro: up to 5 devices. |
| Apps | Android, iPhone and iPad, Windows, macOS, Linux and Android TV. | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux. |
| Price | Free. Premium for 1, 6 or 12 months, bought in the app (App Store or Google Play) at the price shown there in your currency. | Free; Pro is $48 a year or $87 for two years on its website. |
Getting past blocked networks
Lantern is built for heavily censored networks and uses many proxy protocols, some of its own, plus volunteer proxies. By default (Smart Routing) it sends only blocked and unencrypted sites through its network. CosmoVPN sends all your traffic through an encrypted WireGuard tunnel and has CosmoGhost, CosmoShield and Auto for networks that block VPNs.
Privacy and logging
Lantern doesn't log browsing, DNS or connections and is open source. By default (Smart Routing) it sends blocked and unencrypted sites through its network and lets other HTTPS sites connect directly, so your provider can see which of those sites you visit (but not their content) unless you turn on Full Tunnel. CosmoVPN sends all your traffic through its encrypted tunnel when connected, doesn't log the sites you visit or your DNS requests, and keeps connection records.
Free version
Lantern's free version has no ads but a daily data allowance (244 MB), except in Iran, Russia and Belarus where it is unlimited. CosmoVPN free has no data cap; it shows ads, has fewer locations than Premium and each connection lasts 1 hour before you connect again.
Apps and devices
Lantern runs on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux; Pro covers 5 devices. CosmoVPN runs on the same systems plus Android TV, with 5 devices on Premium.
Price
CosmoVPN: Free. Premium for 1, 6 or 12 months, bought in the app (App Store or Google Play) at the price shown there in your currency.
Lantern: Free; Pro is $48 a year or $87 for two years on its website.
Questions
CosmoVPN or Lantern?
Not by default: Lantern's Smart Routing sends only blocked or unencrypted sites through its network, and you can switch on Full Tunnel. CosmoVPN sends all your traffic through its encrypted tunnel whenever it is connected.
Yes, with a daily data allowance of 244 MB (unlimited in Iran, Russia and Belarus); Lantern Pro removes the limit. CosmoVPN is free too, with no data cap: 1-hour connections, ads and fewer locations than Premium.
Yes. You can use CosmoVPN for free on our free servers, with ads and time-limited connections: when the time is up, just connect again. Premium removes the ads, gives you much longer connections and unlocks the Premium servers.
Compare Free and Premium →We do not log the websites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic. To run the service we keep basic connection records, such as which device connected to which server and when.
Read the Privacy Policy →More comparisons
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Sources
The facts about Lantern come from its own website and app-store listings, checked on 1 October 2026:
- Lantern FAQ
- Lantern free data allowance
- Lantern circumvention
- Lantern privacy policy
- Lantern security audits
- Lantern Pro price
The facts about CosmoVPN come from our features, FAQ and privacy policy.
Lantern is a trademark of its owner; CosmoVPN isn't affiliated with Lantern. Something out of date? E-mail [email protected] and we'll correct it.