Comparison

InstantCoder vs ShellBean

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

InstantCoder

This app allows you to write and run code on your iPhone and iPad, supporting a wide range of programming languages with features like syntax highlighting and real-time web previews. It also includes file management and cloud synchronization capabilities for seamless development on the go.

Highlights
  • Syntax highlighting for mainstream languages
  • Code execution for Python, JS, Java, etc.
  • Real-time web preview
  • File management (zip/unzip)
  • Cloud synchronization
  • HTTP file upload/download
Features
Read full description

You are the best developer in the world and you would like to code anytime, anywhere. InstantCoder makes it possible for you to code apps on your lovely iPhone and iPad. Features - Syntax highlighting supporting all mainstream programming languages: css, js, html, swift, objective-c, c/c++, java, python, etc; - Autosave changes; - run code snippets in python, js, java, r, c/c++, lua and ruby; - Realtime preview for web applications with built-in web server; - Zip/unzip folder; - Upload and download files with HTTP directly to and from your devices; - Upload code and resources from the browser through HTTP; - Sync your source code among multiple devices via the Cloud service you choose;

About

ShellBean

A powerful SSH and SFTP client with integrated monitoring and scripting automation for efficient Linux server management. Offers advanced terminal features, file editing, and secure data synchronization.

Highlights
  • AI-enhanced SSH/SFTP client
  • Server monitoring tools
  • Scripting automation
  • Built-in text editor
  • Multi-level jump server login
  • SFTP file management
  • iCloud data synchronization
Features
Read full description

ShellBean is a professional, modern, full-featured SSH SFTP client that integrates monitoring and scripting automation tools over SSH to help you quickly and easily manage your Linux servers without installing any third-party applications. ShellBean offers the following free features: - Move the cursor quickly with single-tap and long-press drag gestures in terminal - Supports multi-level jump servers login - Built-in text editor, easy to edit files - Multiple SSH terminal color schemes and fonts settings - SFTP within Files App (read-only) (iOS 16 and above) - Support for iOS/iPadOS/macOS systems - iPad split-screen support - Support iOS 17 Widget, Monitor Server at Home Screen - Face ID unlock App - SSH Terminal - Zmodem rz sz file transfer - SSH keys management - Port forwarding, support for local, remote and dynamic three modes - Server, code snippets and Port forwardings can be managed in groups - Securely synchronize data between all your devices via iCloud (using only your private iCloud space) - View the process list, sort by PID, COMMAND, CPU, MEM - View server usage per CPU core - Support displaying CPU temperature - Memory usage - Network traffic and rates, as well as traffic status for each interface - Disk Partition Occupancy and Read/Write Rates - Monitor the status of NVIDIA graphics cards - Select servers to run Snippets in batches - Manage Snippets and run them on servers within touchs - SFTP file management within Files App (iOS 16 and above) Unlocking the Premium version you will get the following features: - Dynamic port forwarding - Monitor disk inode data - Quickly execute snippets in the terminal - Terminal split screen and broadcast input - Terminal logging to file Data security: All data is only stored locally on your device and in your private iCloud space, we will not upload any of your server, key, script data. Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy https://shellbean.app/privacy

Screenshots

InstantCoder4 screens
ShellBean4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ShellBean at 4.1 against InstantCoder's 3.3. ShellBean also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). InstantCoder's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 86%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. InstantCoder sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ShellBean sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ShellBean holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 15 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of InstantCoder's written reviews are positive against 86% of ShellBean's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

InstantCoder ships an update every 2 months, ShellBean weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
InstantCoder versus ShellBean: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstantCoderShellBean
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (8 ratings)4.1 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better86.2% of reviews
Number of ratings815 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS14.0 — better16
Further details — not scored
Size204 MB169 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer淑敏 孙北京如电科技有限公司

Customer experience

InstantCoder

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ShellBean

All ratings15 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive86.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative6.2%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

InstantCoder

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Premium Version$0.99
5 purchases

ShellBean

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$7.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime$19.99
  • Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is InstantCoder free?
InstantCoder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShellBean free?
ShellBean is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, InstantCoder or ShellBean?
ShellBean is rated higher. InstantCoder averages 3.3 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while ShellBean averages 4.1 from 15 ratings.
Do InstantCoder or ShellBean have ads?
Neither InstantCoder nor ShellBean shows ads.
Which is updated more often, InstantCoder or ShellBean?
InstantCoder ships an update every 2 months, and ShellBean weekly. Most recently, InstantCoder was updated on September 29, 2026 and ShellBean on October 9, 2026.

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