The configuration you already have
Stash uses one YAML configuration across platforms. The rules and proxy groups you maintain for macOS, iOS or Android work here without being rewritten — that is the point of building it at all.
Windows
Stash for Windows
An early build of the Windows client is available to download. It works, and it is also new — expect rough edges, and do not put it anywhere you cannot afford to have the network misbehave.
Early build. This is a young release and problems are likely: things may break, behave differently from the Mac app, or change between versions. Install it if you are willing to hit those; if you need something settled, use the macOS or iOS app for now.
What you need
- Requires
- Windows 11, 64-bit
- Installs
- As a system service — the installer asks for administrator rights
- Status
- Early build, updated frequently
- Cost
- Free for now — it will later join the macOS licence as one desktop licence
- How you get it
- Direct download from this site
On Windows
What the build does today
A real Windows application
It installs as a background service and runs from the system tray with its own menu, rather than leaving a console window open. The tunnel is handled at the network layer, so rules apply to every application rather than one browser.
Rule-based routing
The same model as the other platforms: route, redirect or deny connections by rule, instead of sending everything through one tunnel.
Early, and moving
Releases are frequent and features are still landing. What is reported now is what gets fixed next, so the rough edges you hit are worth telling us about.
Documentation
The configuration carries over
Rule syntax and proxy configuration are shared across platforms, so anything you already run on macOS or iOS applies here. These are the pages worth reading first.
FAQ
What people ask about the Windows version
How finished is this?
Not very. It runs and it routes traffic, but it is a young build: features present on macOS may be missing or behave differently, and versions change quickly. Treat it as something to try rather than something to depend on.
Where should I not use it?
Anywhere a network problem would cost you something — a work machine you cannot afford to have offline, or a setup where traffic reaching the wrong place matters. The failure modes of a young network tool are not always obvious while they are happening.
Which versions of Windows does it run on?
Windows 11 on 64-bit x86, which is what it is built and tested against. Other versions are untested rather than blocked — if you try one and it works, or does not, we would like to know.
Why does the installer ask for administrator rights?
Stash installs a background service to handle traffic at the network layer, which is what lets rules apply to every application rather than a single browser. Installing a service requires administrator rights.
Will my existing configuration work?
Yes. Stash reads the same YAML on every platform, so rules, proxy groups and provider subscriptions carry over rather than being rebuilt.
What does the Windows version cost?
Nothing for now. While it is this early there is no licence to buy and no key to enter — download it and it runs.
Will it stay free?
No. The plan is for Windows and macOS to share a single desktop licence, so one purchase covers your machines on both. What that costs, and when it changes, has not been settled — this page is updated when it is.
I already have a macOS licence. What happens to it?
It keeps working on your Macs either way. Once the desktop licence exists it is meant to cover Windows too rather than being replaced by a second purchase.
Try it, and tell us what breaks
This build gets better on what people report. If something misbehaves, the Telegram group is the fastest way to reach us.