Comparison

Brook.app vs SSH Tunnel

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

Head to head
About

Brook.app

This cross-platform network tool requires server deployment. A paid subscription offers enhanced features to support ongoing development and project continuity.

Highlights
  • Cross-platform network tool
  • Client-server software
  • Server deployment required
  • Paid subscription for advanced features
  • Supports project continuity
Features
Read full description

Brook - Brook is a cross-platform network tool - Brook is client-server software, you need to deploy the server: https://github.com/txthinking/brook Brook Plus - Brook Plus is a paid option that allows paying users access to more generous features, allowing us to continue to sustain the continuity of this project. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - You can manage subscription in App Store Setting. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Service: https://www.txthinking.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.txthinking.com/privacy.html About Brook Plus - Even with the free version of Brook, normal use is possible - Brook Plus is a paid option that allows paying users access to more generous features, allowing us to continue to sustain the continuity of this project

About

SSH Tunnel

Securely manage SSH tunnels and port forwarding on your mobile device. Configure local SOCKS5 proxies and private tunnels to your own server, with support for various authentication methods and advanced traffic redirection rules.

Highlights
  • Local Port Forwarding
  • Dynamic Port Forwarding (SOCKS5 proxy)
  • Password, Private Key, 2FA authentication
  • Multiple SSH Key support
  • Connection Export & Import
  • Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) file support
Features
Read full description

SSH Tunnel is the easiest way to tunnel your traffic through your own SSH server on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Version 3.0 is a complete native rewrite with a new VPN engine: route ALL device traffic through your server, keep it running in the background, and reconnect automatically. The old foreground-only limitation is gone. TWO ENGINES - VPN engine: system-wide tunnel built on Apple's Network Extension. Works in the background, survives restarts, and restores itself after reboots and network changes (On Demand). - Proxy engine: a local SOCKS5 proxy with a PAC file for browsers, third-party apps, or sharing the tunnel with other devices on your Wi-Fi. Run several tunnels at once. FEATURES - Dynamic port forwarding (SOCKS5 proxy), like "ssh -D" - Local port forwarding, like "ssh -L 80:intra.example.com:80 gw.example.com" - Password, private key, and keyboard-interactive (2FA/OTP) authentication - Keys: ed25519, ECDSA, RSA (rsa-sha2), OpenSSH and PuTTY .ppk formats, import from file - Modern ciphers and OpenSSH 8.8+ compatibility - Host key fingerprint verification - In-app browser that uses the tunnel (iOS) - Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) URL with custom PAC rules - Live transfer statistics and connection logs - Connection export & import - Passcode & Face ID protection - Idle disconnect timer - Native menu bar app on macOS, included with your purchase - Dark mode. No ads, no subscriptions, no accounts. YOUR SERVER, YOUR DATA SSH Tunnel connects only to a server YOU provide. There are no accounts and no servers we operate: your traffic flows directly between your device and your own SSH server. We never see, collect, or sell any of it. You need your own SSH server to use this application. Support: support@ssh-tunnel-ios.com

Screenshots

Brook.app4 screens
SSH Tunnel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Brook.app at Free against SSH Tunnel's $9.99. Brook.app also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 46%) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). SSH Tunnel's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#31 vs #148). On ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Brook.app is free to download; SSH Tunnel costs $9.99 up front. Brook.app sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. SSH Tunnel asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Brook.app holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 177 and 148 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Brook.app's written reviews are positive against 46% of SSH Tunnel's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Brook.app versus SSH Tunnel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrook.appSSH Tunnel
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating4.3 (177 ratings) — better4.0 (148 ratings)
Positive reviews83.7% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings177 — better148
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank#148#31 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB17 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperTxThinking, Inc.Mobibean, LLC

Customer experience

Brook.app

All ratings177 ratings
Positive80.2%
Neutral10.2%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive83.7%
Neutral5.8%
Negative10.6%

SSH Tunnel

All ratings148 ratings
Positive70.9%
Neutral6.8%
Negative22.3%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral9.6%
Negative44.2%

User reviews

Brook.app

From 177 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Perfect UDP support
  • 🔒 Server information hiding capability
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 💪 Powerful network tool with extensive features
  • 🌍 Cross-platform compatibility

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections and auto-disconnects
  • ⏱️ App crashes and performance degradation
  • 📵 iOS 12 compatibility issues
  • 🔌 VPN background process termination
  • ❌ Limited app support (Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook)

SSH Tunnel

From 148 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✅ Works well for SSH tunneling when used as intended
  • 🌐 Supports SOCKS5 dynamic forwarding
  • 🔐 Supports multiple SSH key formats
  • 📱 Useful built-in browser for tunnel access
  • ⚙️ Proxy auto-configuration (PAC) support

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Cannot maintain SSH tunnel in background (30-second limit)
  • ⚠️ App disconnects when switched to other applications
  • 💰 Expensive for limited functionality ($7.99-$10)
  • 🔄 Lacks transparency about iOS limitations in description
  • 🌐 In-app browser leaks user IP address

Bugs and requests

Brook.app

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Frequent unexpected disconnections
  • VPN process killed in background
  • iOS 12.1 connection failures
  • Connection button shows connected but not actually connected
  • App crashes without warning
Show 5 more
  • Incompatibility with iOS versions below 10
  • Whitelist mode auto-disconnect issues
  • Push notifications not received while connected
  • Safari works but Instagram/YouTube don't
  • Slow performance after recent updates

Requested features

9 requests
  • Server naming and alias functionality
  • Auto-connect feature
  • Global proxy toggle button
  • Mac application version
  • VPN support
Show 4 more
  • Background App Refresh support
  • iOS 9 support
  • Improved whitelist mode stability
  • Better app-specific proxy support

SSH Tunnel

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • 2FA login not working despite being advertised
  • In-app browser unable to access localhost or local IP addresses
  • Private key parsing issues (requires proper line endings)
  • Connection drops frequently (every 5 minutes in some cases)
  • App crashes unexpectedly
Show 7 more
  • Cannot edit or delete existing connections
  • Tunnel connection drops when changing applications
  • Port remains busy after tunnel termination
  • Location services prompt appears every time app closes
  • App not updated for iOS 16+ compatibility
  • SOCKS5 functionality not working in some cases
  • Incompatible with iOS 18

Requested features

12 requests
  • Background app refresh capability
  • VPN interface implementation for system-wide traffic routing
  • Multiple simultaneous tunnels
  • Tabs in built-in browser
  • Remote port forwarding support
Show 7 more
  • 2FA/Two-factor authentication support
  • Better documentation and setup guides
  • Support for PuTTY key format
  • Mouse click events in in-app browser
  • Shortcuts app integration
  • Compression option support
  • Global proxy support for mobile networks

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Brook.app

Subscriptions2
  • Brook Plus$1.991 Month
  • Brook Plus$49.991 Year
None

SSH Tunnel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Brook.app free?
Brook.app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SSH Tunnel free?
SSH Tunnel costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Brook.app or SSH Tunnel?
Brook.app is rated higher. Brook.app averages 4.3 out of 5 from 177 ratings, while SSH Tunnel averages 4.0 from 148 ratings.
Do Brook.app or SSH Tunnel have ads?
Neither Brook.app nor SSH Tunnel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Brook.app or SSH Tunnel?
Brook.app ships an update every 6 weeks, and SSH Tunnel every 6 weeks. Most recently, Brook.app was updated on November 2, 2026 and SSH Tunnel on November 2, 2026.
Which is more popular, Brook.app or SSH Tunnel?
Brook.app currently peaks at #148 in the App Store charts, and SSH Tunnel at #31. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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