Android app
Much like the Windows client, KeepSolid's Android app opens with a world map showing its various locations. But unlike the Windows map, the Android version is dynamic, genuinely useful, rather than just basic eye candy.
You can zoom in and out with this map, for instance. Drag to pan around. Tapping one of the location markers displays its name, tapping again gets you connected, with a line flying from your current location to the new one to show the route. Maps still aren't our preferred way to navigate any VPN client, especially on a mobile screen - there's too much zooming in and out to access some servers - but this app has at least tried to make it work.
Tapping the location name at the bottom of the screen displays the more standard country list. This works much like the Windows client: a workload figure highlights the least and most-used servers, ping times are available if you need them, and there's a Favorites list to store your most commonly used locations. Torrent-friendly and recommended streaming servers are highlighted, or you can view all the best streaming servers on a separate tab.
A relatively sparse Settings dialog starts with an option to change protocols. There's more choice than you'll usually see in a mobile app, though, with OpenVPN or KeepSolid's Wise option (in either TCP or UDP forms), as well as IVEv2.
The app doesn't have a built-in kill switch, unfortunately. You can set up one manually on most devices running Android 8 or later, but that's not as convenient as being able to manage the setting locally.
Welcome bonus options include the ability to automatically connect for insecure networks or disconnect for trusted networks, along with an App Exceptions feature which enables defining apps which won't use the VPN (that's similar to the split tunneling feature you'll see elsewhere.)
Put it all together and KeepSolid's Android app is a likeable tool, and better designed than its Windows offering. It's still mostly about the basics, though, and we've seen more powerful Android apps available elsewhere.
iOS app
KeepSolid's iOS app follows the same basic interface and operating rules as its Android cousin.
A world map allows you to zoom in, pan around and select individual locations. It works, and it looks good, but as ever with map interfaces, it's a cumbersome way to operate a VPN.
A conventional list is more straightforward to use. You're able to scroll directly to the options you need, view server loads and ping times to identify the best choices, or save locations as Favorites for speedy recall later.
A Settings pane enables switching protocols as required. You can choose between OpenVPN, IKEv2, and KeepSolid's own Wise TCP and Wise UDP.
Auto-connection options allow users to have the app connect to the VPN when you access all, or just untrusted wireless networks.
As with the Android app, there's no built-in kill switch.
Overall, KeepSolid's iOS app left us feeling much the same as the others in the range. It's capable, it does the job, it has one or two welcome ideas, but it's a little short on low-level tweaks and functionality and there are better VPN apps around.
