# SSH Tunnel vs Blink Shell, Build & Code

The clearest difference is price: Blink Shell, Build & Code at Free against SSH Tunnel's $9.99. Blink Shell, Build & Code also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and chart position (#13 vs #52). SSH Tunnel's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Blink Shell, Build & Code is free to download; SSH Tunnel costs $9.99 up front. Blink Shell, Build & Code sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. SSH Tunnel asks for nothing beyond the download.

SSH Tunnel holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 148 and 421 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SSH Tunnel's written reviews are positive against 37% of Blink Shell, Build & Code's.

SSH Tunnel ships an update every 6 weeks, Blink Shell, Build & Code every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Tunnel | Blink Shell, Build & Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.0 (148 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-tunnel-vpn-and-socks5-proxy/id1260223542/reviews)** | [3.1 (421 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blink-shell-build-and-code/id1594898306/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 148 | **421** |
| Positive reviews | **46.2% of reviews** | 36.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #52 | **#13** |
| Size | 17 MB | 211 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Mobibean, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1142567045) | [Blink Shell, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1526795995) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Tunnel

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

**Currently charting:** #52 Top Paid · 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


### Blink Shell, Build & Code

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blink-shell-build-and-code/id1594898306)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #67 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Transform your iOS device into a powerful terminal for coding and development. Leverage Mosh and SSH for stable, fast connections. Integrate with VS Code and manage your entire development workflow from your pocket.

**Highlights:** Mosh and SSH connections, VS Code integration (Blink Code), Remote runtime creation (Blink Build), Full SSH toolset, Hardware keyboard support, External display support, SFTP transfers

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Build Basic - 50 credits/month | $7.99 | per month |
| Blink+Build Basic | $9.99 | per month |
| Blink Plus | $19.99 | per year |
| Blink+ | $19.99 | per year |
| Blink Shell Classic | Free | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Tunnel free?

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

### Is Blink Shell, Build & Code free?

Blink Shell, Build & Code is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SSH Tunnel or Blink Shell, Build & Code?

SSH Tunnel is rated higher. SSH Tunnel averages 4.0 out of 5 from 148 ratings, while Blink Shell, Build & Code averages 3.1 from 421 ratings.

### Do SSH Tunnel or Blink Shell, Build & Code have ads?

Neither SSH Tunnel nor Blink Shell, Build & Code shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SSH Tunnel or Blink Shell, Build & Code?

SSH Tunnel ships an update every 6 weeks, and Blink Shell, Build & Code every 3 weeks. Most recently, SSH Tunnel was updated on October 24, 2026 and Blink Shell, Build & Code on October 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SSH Tunnel or Blink Shell, Build & Code?

SSH Tunnel currently peaks at #52 in the App Store charts, and Blink Shell, Build & Code at #13. 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.*