# SSH Client - Secure ShellFish — Terminal, Files & Finder

> Fast SSH terminal and remote file manager for iOS devices. (iPhone/iPad app by Anders Borum.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883)
- Category: Developer Tools, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 1,468 App Store ratings · 590 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.4 · 117 MB
- Languages: American English, Danish
- Released: 2019-06-28
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews.md

## What is SSH Client?

Lightning fast SSH terminal with remote file access. No other app fuses your SSH servers and iOS devices as well as Secure ShellFish. Tap Get and see for yourself.

Terminal supports standard text editing gestures for selection, scrolling and copy/paste as well as custom gestures to send arrow keys and tabulator making shell entry and full screen editing with vim or emacs delightful. Bar above the keyboard makes it easy to type special keys and insert snippets.

Select and drag filenames out of the terminal as actual files and drag files from other apps into the terminal to upload. Use built-in tmux support to persist terminal sessions if you lose Internet access, pick existing sessions with thumbnails and Handoff sessions between devices.

Server file system is available in the Files app and recently accessed files and directories are cached to make them available when offline. Use apps like Textastic and iA Writer for a native editing experience working on your remote server files.

Upload files or entire directories from the share sheet with minimal friction as the last destination directory for each kind of file is remembered or automate file transfers in the Shortcuts app.

Connect to your Mac, Synology NAS and any other SSH server or create new Digital Ocean droplets right from the app.  

Secure ShellFish is useful as a free app and paying pro users can disable ads in the terminal, upload through the Files app and configure unlimited number of servers.

## Key features

- Lightning fast SSH terminal
- Remote file access and management
- Standard and custom text editing gestures
- Drag-and-drop file transfer
- Built-in tmux support for session persistence
- Files app integration for server file system
- Shortcuts app integration for automation

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ShellFish Monthly subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| ShellFish Annual subscription | $14.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ShellFish Lifetime Pro Unlock | $29.99 | one-time |


## Chart rankings

- #120 in Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)
- #35 in Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

## What do users think of SSH Client?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Turns iPad into productivity machine
- 🚀 Seamless SSH experience
- 👍 Excellent integration with Files app
- 👍 Robust key management and syncing
- 👍 Powerful terminal with great features
- 👍 Reliable and stable performance
- 👍 Responsive and helpful developer

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior with some commands
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and security

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes when running certain commands
- Issues with file transfer progress reporting

**Most requested features**

- Improved documentation and tutorials
- Support for additional authentication methods
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts and layouts
- Tabbed terminal interface

## Recent user reviews (10 of 590)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Works!

*2026-08-21, version 2026.27*

Great SFTP & Terminal App. Works perfect.

### 5/5 — Just right

*2026-08-21, version 2026.27*

Shellfish is a cheery terminal client I reach for 1st on iOS

### 5/5 — Excellent app

*2026-08-20, version 2026.27*

Can’t fault it

### 5/5 — Best SSH client with MacOS and iOS integration

*2026-08-20, version 2026.26*

I love this app. Integrates with Finder/Files and easy setup for terminal access. Enjoy using it with Bbedit too as the editor.

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2026-08-19, version 2026.27*

Amazing really good client. Lots of features, fair pricing.

### 5/5 — The BEST SSH client on the App Store!

*2026-08-17, version 2026.26*

I’ve been using ShellFish for years, and it has quickly become my favorite SSH client on any platform (though it’s only for Apple products)!

### 5/5 — A wonderful app

*2026-08-14, version 2026.26*

Shellfish provides the perfect combination of features for my needs. It’s simple to use, fast to set up, and available on both iOS and MacOS. It’s just great

### 5/5 — Great with Claude code and tmux

*2026-08-14, version 2026.26*

Great with Claude code and tmux

### 4/5 — Very workable but not quite to Termius level industrial quality

*2026-08-14, version 2024.8*

I was surprised this works well enough to handle Google Antigravity (formerly Gemini) coding with its rapid screen output and resizing and colors rendering. But it has some glitches and lags for sure and cant handle scrolling up at your scrollback history the way other terminals can manage to (sometimes with toggle buttons). This seems to lack a few other features other terminals have but at least it does work and has a solid foundation from which to improve upon. I will probably come back and check how stable/improved this one is in 6-12 months. BUT ONLY IF THE DEVELOPER ALLOWS IOS 17.3.1 again because thats what i have on both devices as I’m a “JB” developer and that’s the highest iOS currently working on the new Dopamine 3.0 JB that came out last week, making major news in the iOS world.

### 5/5 — great app

*2026-08-12, version 2026.26*

although it's not (yet) as feature rich as some alternatives, it's developing at an incredible pace. 

and i love that everything syncs between macos and ios, which means I don't have to carry my laptop around with me all the time.

keep up the great work

## Frequently asked questions about SSH Client

### What does Secure ShellFish do?

Secure ShellFish provides a high-speed SSH terminal and allows for remote file access and management. It integrates your SSH servers with your iOS device, enabling you to control servers and transfer files directly from your phone or tablet.

### What are the key features of Secure ShellFish?

Key features include a lightning-fast SSH terminal with advanced text editing gestures, seamless remote file access through drag-and-drop functionality, built-in tmux support for persistent sessions, and integration with the iOS Files app and Shortcuts app for automation.

### How much does Secure ShellFish cost?

The app is available as a free download and can be used as a free app. Pro users can purchase an upgrade to disable ads in the terminal, upload files through the Files app, and configure an unlimited number of servers.

### What devices is Secure ShellFish compatible with?

The app is designed for iOS devices, allowing users to connect to various SSH servers such as Macs, Synology NAS, Digital Ocean droplets, and any other SSH server. It also supports session handoff between devices.

### What are common use cases for Secure ShellFish?

Common use cases include managing remote servers, editing files on a server directly from an iOS device using native editors, transferring files and directories, and automating file transfers. It's also useful for persisting terminal sessions even with intermittent internet access.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2026.27 — 2026-08-14

Collapsed server groups show a count of the servers inside.

Starting a session works again on tmux 3.2 and older, along with general improvements to tmux native mode.

Improved support for DEC 2026 to avoid terminal flicker.

Holding alt while tapping/clicking sends the click through to mouse-aware programs (tmux, Midnight Commander), including trackpad/mouse right-clicks; shift keeps the tap local for cursor placement and selection.

Esc, ctrl and alt on the keyboard bar can be customized with tap-and-hold.

### 2026.26 — 2026-07-16

The server list now has a selection mode. Start it from the (...) button to pick multiple servers, then move the whole selection to a group, delete it, export it, or open a new terminal that runs a shared command across every selected server.

You can now generate and import SSH keys directly from the pop-up menu used to pick an SSH key for a server.
Keyboard Shortcut Change

The Type Sentence shortcut is now Command-Shift-E (previously Command-E).

### 2026.25 — 2026-07-08

Fixed a bug from a recent update where an already-authenticated connection would wait for re-authentication, causing delays with tmux or would refuse to attempt authentication for some server configurations.

The keyboard bar now has a three-way visibility setting: Never, Automatically, or Always, remembered separately for the on-screen and external keyboards. The Always setting keeps the bar on screen for the whole session, even when the terminal is not focused.

Export servers as a CSV file from the (...) button above the server list.

New 'settitle' shell command sets the terminal, tab, and window title and works in bash, zsh, and fish. An empty argument restores the default title. This requires updating the Shell Integration.

Fixed a crash when a port forward was configured with a port number above 65535.

### 2026.24 — 2026-07-07

The keyboard bar now has a three-way visibility setting: Never, Automatically, or Always, remembered separately for the on-screen and external keyboards. The Always setting keeps the bar on screen for the whole session, even when the terminal is not focused.

Export servers as a CSV file from the (...) button above the server list.

Fixed a bug from a recent update where an already-authenticated connection would wait for re-authentication, causing delays with tmux.

New 'settitle' shell command sets the terminal, tab, and window title and works in bash, zsh, and fish. An empty argument restores the default title. This requires updating the Shell Integration.

Fixed a crash when a port forward was configured with a port number above 65535.

### 2026.23 — 2026-07-04

New 'download' shell command that saves a file from the server to anywhere in Files app. This requires updating the Shell Integration.

On iPad, the manual page viewer can be docked to the left or right of the terminal instead of floating, so a man page stays open beside a live session. A button in its navigation bar switches between Floating, Left Side and Right Side, and your choice is remembered.

Browser re-authentication works with any server that withholds login behind a browser link, not just Tailscale. When a login banner carries an informational link it is surfaced in the connection status and stays tappable.

Images pasted into the terminal upload with a generated name like pasted-from-shellfish-20260701-143012.png

Fix for pinyin and other multistage input methods where picking a candidate could delete the typed letters instead of sending the composed text.

## Apps similar to SSH Client

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Termius - Modern SSH Client](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/termius-modern-ssh-client/id549039908) | 4.7 (18,903) | Free | Developer Tools |
| [SSH Client - Terminal & Termux](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-terminal-and-termux/id1475741280) | 3.6 (406) | Free | Developer Tools |
| [NeoServer SSH Mosh Terminal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neoserver-ssh-mosh-terminal/id6448362669) | 4.8 (289) | Free | Developer Tools |
| [La Terminal: Mosh & SSH Client](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/la-terminal-mosh-and-ssh-client/id1629902861) | 4.7 (103) | Free | Developer Tools |
| [WebSSH - Sysadmin Toolbox](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/webssh-sysadmin-toolbox/id497714887) | 4.7 (2,515) | Free | Developer Tools |
| [SSH Terminal+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-terminal-plus/id1548415319) | 4.8 (194) | Free | Developer Tools |

## More apps by Anders Borum

- [Git client - Working Copy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/git-client-working-copy/id896694807)
- [ShellFish for Business](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellfish-for-business/id6444681914)

All apps by Anders Borum: https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883

## Related topics

[shellfish](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/shellfish) · [secure shellfish](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/secure-shellfish) · [ssh files](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ssh-files) · [anders borum](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/anders-borum) · [shelly ssh](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/shelly-ssh) · [ssh client](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ssh-client) · [free ssh client](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/free-ssh-client) · [win scp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/win-scp) · [mysql querydb ssh client](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/mysql-querydb-ssh-client) · [seafile](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/seafile) · [dotmux easy ssh with tmux](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dotmux-easy-ssh-with-tmux) · [vssh lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/vssh-lite) · [nts client](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nts-client) · [codashop](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/codashop) · [anders borum aps](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/anders-borum-aps) · [meshterm ssh ftp via tailscale](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/meshterm-ssh-ftp-via-tailscale) · [blink shell](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/blink-shell) · [easy ssh](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/easy-ssh) · [nex terminal-ssh & sftp client](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nex-terminal-ssh-sftp-client) · [kimoby](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kimoby)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*