# InstantCoder vs ShellBean

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | InstantCoder | ShellBean |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instantcoder/id1067517686/reviews) | **[4.1 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellbean-ai-ssh-client/id1504613231/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **15** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 86.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 204 MB | 169 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [淑敏 孙](https://appshunter.io/developer/991297584) | [北京如电科技有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/1432455619) |

## What reviewers say

### InstantCoder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instantcoder/id1067517686)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade to Premium Version | $0.99 | one-time |


### ShellBean

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellbean-ai-ssh-client/id1504613231)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $7.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*