Origins: Starting as a Successor to Shadowsocks
V2Ray was released around 2017 by the "V2Ray Project" (later renamed Project V), originally aiming to succeed Shadowsocks and fix its problem of having too simple a protocol signature, which made it easy for network equipment to detect and interfere with. Unlike earlier tools that only supported a single encryption method, V2Ray was designed from the start as a multi-protocol, pluggable proxy platform rather than one specific "encryption method." That's also why its name includes "Ray" — meaning traffic can travel many different paths to reach its destination.
It's Made Up of Three Layers
What you actually interact with as "the software" is really three layers stacked together. At the bottom is the core program (v2ray-core, or its popular fork Xray-core), which handles the real traffic processing, encryption, and protocol conversion. In the middle is the GUI client — like v2rayN, which covers Windows, macOS, and Linux, or v2rayNG and V2flyNG on Android — which doesn't process traffic itself; it just generates config files for the core program, manages your node list, and toggles the system proxy, so you never have to hand-write JSON configs. At the top is the subscription link, maintained by your service provider, which your client checks periodically for the latest node info. Each layer has a clear role — this site focuses on the middle layer: the GUI clients for every platform.
Protocols and Routing: What Problem Does It Actually Solve
V2Ray supports multiple transport protocols including VMess, VLESS, Shadowsocks, and Trojan, and can layer on disguises like TLS and WebSocket to make proxy traffic look more like normal HTTPS access at the network level, reducing the chance of targeted interference. It also has a built-in routing rule engine based on domain names and IP geolocation, letting traffic split automatically so that domestic sites connect directly while sites that need a proxy go through a node, instead of routing everything the long way around. That's one reason many people find it faster and more stable than earlier tools.
Key Terms You'll See Throughout the Guides
No need to look these up while following a guide — we explain them here first so you can just follow along later.
Server / Node
A specific relay server, usually labeled with its region (like "HK-01" or "JP-02"). A single subscription often includes many nodes — the lower the latency, the smoother the connection usually is.
Subscription
A link maintained by your service provider. Your client fetches it to get config info for all available nodes at once — update it periodically to keep your node list current without adding entries manually.
Routing Rule
The logic that decides whether a site should go through the proxy, typically based on domain or IP region — for example, connecting directly to domestic sites while routing overseas sites through a node, instead of sending everything the long way around.
System Proxy
Once enabled, most apps on your device (browsers, chat apps, etc.) automatically route traffic through the client — no need to configure a proxy address in each app individually.
Who Should Use This
Whether you're brand new to this or you've been using it for a while, one of these descriptions probably fits you.
Total beginners who've never used this before
Never heard of this kind of software and not sure which client or platform version to download? Follow the roadmap and quick-start guide on the "How It Works" page — you'll be up and running in minutes, no technical background needed.
People looking for a reliable download source
Wants to find an accurate, clear download source right away instead of comparing hard-to-verify sites over and over. The Download page brings together clients for every platform — built exactly for this.
Existing users running into a specific problem
Subscription import failing, connected but pages won't load, routing rules confusing you? No need to relearn everything — just check the FAQ or the troubleshooting guide and follow the steps.
Users in different regions or language environments
No matter which language you use or where you're located, you can switch to a fully complete, independently maintained version of the site in your language — never a half-finished translation. The site currently covers Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English.