VpnCilla is a free IPSec Xauth-PSK VPN client designed for servers like FritzBox, Cisco PIX/ASA, and Fortigate. It emphasizes quick, no-root connections, multiple profiles, and automatic reconnect, delivering a lightweight IPSec solution for Android users. Despite its age and specific protocol support, it has maintained a solid user rating and steady downloads, catering to those needing a straightforward VPN client for IPSec servers.
Pros & Cons
Free to use
No root access required on supported devices
Supports multiple profiles and automatic reconnect
Trial-based profile import for easy setup
Only IKEv1 (no WireGuard or IKEv2)
IPv4-only (no IPv6)
Dependent on device firmware support for VPN components (tun driver) and Android VPN routing; issues may occur on some devices
About VpnCilla
VpnCilla was a communication app developed by Matthias Meier. It was removed from Google Play Mar 27, 2025 and is no longer available for download.
Download Statistics
VpnCilla had been downloaded 48 thousand times before it became unavailable.
User Ratings
VpnCilla was rated 4.35 out of 5 stars, based on 1.2 thousand ratings.
App Information
VpnCilla was free to download. The APK download size was 7.11 MB. The last available version was 3.8.4. The last update was on November 30, 2022.
Technical Requirements
VpnCilla required Android 6.0+ or higher. The app had a content rating of Everyone. The app had been available on Google Play August 2012.
Description
Attention: This VPN Client supports only the outdated IKEv1 variant of IPSec!! For security reason YOU SHOULD NOT USE this Protocol resp. this App if your VPN Server supports a more recent VPN protocol as WireGuard or IKEv2 based IPSec. You have been warned!
Before you buy this software, please test with the free "VpnCilla (Trial)" (also available at the google play market)!
VpnCilla is a VPN Client for VPN Servers as FritzBox, Cisco PIX/ASA, Fortigate or other VPN Servers with IPSec Pre-shared Keying (Xauth IKE/PSK).
Features: * Profile automatically taken from the Trial version (don't uninstall the Trial until the first run of this full version) * No root access needed (if the device fully conforms to Android 4) * Compatible with Fritzbox, Cisco PIX/ASA, Fortigate VPN Servers and others (?) * Connects/Disconnects with a single click (by a Shortcut-Widget) * Automatic Reconnect Mode on WiFi/Mobile failover/outage * Supports Multiple Profiles * Supports automatic Cisco Split Routing * Passwords may be stored in profile or always manually entered when connecting (which is much more safe)
Advanced Settings: * Possibility to specify WiFi Blacklists/Whitelists to explicitely deny/allow VPN on only specific WiFi ESSDs * Possiblity to specify Manual Routes and/or DNS Server and much more...
Restrictions: - Mention the security risk if passwords are stored in profile in case your device will be hacked or stolen! - VpnCilla runs only if the TUN driver (tun.ko) as well as the the Android 4 VPN routing infrastructure is included in the firmware. UNFORTUNATELY NOT ALL DEVICE MANUFACTURER YET HAS INCLUDED IT!! Check with "VpnCilla (Trial)" first! - Only IKE/PSK Xauth authentication is supported (no PPTP, no L2TP, no Hybrid RSA, no SSL, no Cisco AnyConnect, ...) - supports IPv4 only (no IPv6) - supports WLAN/WIFI as well as Mobile Data up to 3g. VpnCilla is unstable over 4g (LTE) on some devices / with mobile providers - Active Screenfilter apps as Twilight or Lux might prevent selecting of the security dialog checkbox - VpnCilla can't handle phase 1 rekeying initiated by the VPN server. On Fritzboxes this will occure after 1h connection time whereas on Cisco VPN servers the rekeying interval is configurable and by default after 8h. Typically the session stalls for 2-3 minutes until VpnCilla initiates a reconnect.
Recent changes: Release 3.8.4 (still fighting with Android 13 mess) • Android 13 Bugfix: Re-allow status bar notification (might be re-allowed again at Android Settings > Apps > VpnCilla > Notifications) • Android 13 Bugfix: Blacklist/Whitelist needs now confirmation of Location and Background Location Permission • If Bootoption is active, automatic restart of VPN after App Update
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★★★★★
This app works perfectly with our Palo Alto VPN. The vendor's own app does not - so without vanilla I'd have no way to connect to the office while out and about. Many thanks!
★★★★★
Working great on Chromes. I'm connecting to a Cisco ASA 5505 and I needed a VPN client that could support IPSEC IKEv1 XAUTH-PSK. Vanilla is working (I had already been using vpnc from a linux container but needed an android vpn client to provide connection to both the browser and to the linux container).
★★☆☆☆
Was promising, but not working either with simple FRITZ!Box access.
★★☆☆☆
Not stable with ANDROID 6.x Tried to work on it with developer, but he was not interested. Didn't even ask for log file. Now I have to switch my company vpn to another solution after having paid for multiple licenses. No it is not a memory issue as I am using Samsung note 7. Yes you were not interested, after 5 emails all answers were quick excuses, and you didn't ask for the lod file once.
★★☆☆☆
Doesn't work right after upgrade to marshmallow This was a great working out, and I use it all the time, until my phone upgraded to marshmallow a couple of days ago. I can connect with no problem however disconnecting is a Troublesome task. I can no longer simply press the domain controller to disconnect from the server I now have to reboot my entire phone to log off of a VPN connection. I have a Droid Turbo 2
★★☆☆☆
Couldn't install it my new chromebook (Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5). Play market just says "cannot download". The trial version works on the same chromebook, this version works on another chromebook (Samsung Chromebook Plus)...
Technologies used by VpnCilla
VpnCilla is requesting 21 permissions and is using 10 libraries.
Show details
Trust & Safety: The app requests a broad set of permissions including foreground/background location, network state, notifications, storage, boot completion, and system shortcuts, as well as wake lock and alert window access. The long description also highlights security considerations around storing passwords in profiles and notes that the VPN runs only if the device firmware provides the tun driver and Android VPN routing infrastructure. Users should review granted permissions, assess device compatibility, and be cautious with password storage in profiles.
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