# SSH Tunnel vs SSH Client

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SSH Client at 94% against SSH Tunnel's 46%. SSH Client also leads on price (Free vs $9.99) and rating (4.8 vs 4.0). SSH Tunnel's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and chart position (#8 vs #30). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

SSH Client is free to download; SSH Tunnel costs $9.99 up front. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. SSH Tunnel asks for nothing beyond the download.

SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 147, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SSH Tunnel's written reviews are positive against 94% of SSH Client's.

SSH Tunnel ships an update monthly, SSH Client weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Tunnel | SSH Client |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (147 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-tunnel-vpn-and-socks5-proxy/id1260223542/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 147 | **1.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 45.6% of reviews | **94.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#8** | #30 |
| Size | 17 MB | 132 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mobibean, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1142567045) | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Tunnel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-tunnel-vpn-and-socks5-proxy/id1260223542)

**Currently charting:** #8 Top Paid · Developer Tools, #85 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Background app refresh capability
- VPN interface implementation for system-wide traffic routing
- Multiple simultaneous tunnels
- Tabs in built-in browser
- Remote port forwarding support


### SSH Client

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154)

**Currently charting:** #30 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #127 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app provides a fast SSH terminal and remote file access, seamlessly integrating your SSH servers with your iOS device. It offers advanced text editing gestures, drag-and-drop file management, and built-in tmux support for persistent sessions. Access your server's file system directly within the Files app and automate transfers via Shortcuts.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ShellFish Monthly subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| ShellFish Annual subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| ShellFish Lifetime Pro Unlock | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Tunnel free?

SSH Tunnel costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SSH Client free?

SSH Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SSH Tunnel or SSH Client?

SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Tunnel averages 4.0 out of 5 from 147 ratings, while SSH Client averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do SSH Tunnel or SSH Client have ads?

Neither SSH Tunnel nor SSH Client shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SSH Tunnel or SSH Client?

SSH Tunnel ships an update monthly, and SSH Client weekly. Most recently, SSH Tunnel was updated on October 11, 2026 and SSH Client on October 13, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SSH Tunnel or SSH Client?

SSH Tunnel currently peaks at #8 in the App Store charts, and SSH Client at #30. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*