Comparison

iVim vs SSH Term

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

Head to head
About

iVim

This app brings the powerful Vim text editor to iOS devices. It offers advanced features like custom font import, an extended and customizable keyboard, multistage language input, and seamless integration with other apps through sharing and document pickers. Advanced functionalities like plugin management and version control are available via in-app purchases or a subscription.

Highlights
  • Custom font import with ligature support
  • Extended and customizable keyboard
  • Multistage language input
  • App sharing and document picker integration
  • External hardware keyboard support
  • Integrated scripting languages (Python, Lua)
  • Plugin management (In-App Purchase)
  • Native version control (iVim Pro subscription)
Read full description

iVim is a project that brings the vim editor to the iOS system. It is open source, please visit the App Support URL. Font management Besides some system and embedded monospace fonts, iVim allows users to import and use their own custom fonts. Moreover, iVim supports to render ligatures if your font provides beautiful ones. Extended keyboard By introducing compact buttons, iVim covers as many keys as possible in its extended keyboard, so that you can input symbols without switching among key groups. Moreover, you can customize it to meet your own special needs. Multistage language input iVim adds support to multistage input languages such as Chinese or Japanese. Sharing Through sharing, iVim makes its editing power available to more apps. Via the share extension, iVim can import text or text files from, or export to other apps. Via the document picker, you can also import or edit files or directories in iCloud Drive or documents providers, without leaving iVim. External hardware keyboard iVim supports external hardware keyboards well, just connect your favorite one to the device and start typing. With the native modifier keys mapping option from the system, you can even make the "caps lock" key act both as "ctrl" and "esc" in iOS 13.4 and above. External commands iVim includes some useful external commands that you are familiar with and integrates powerful scripting languages such as Python and Lua. With +terminal feature enabled and a simple shell named "ivish" included, you can run the commands in terminal windows like on a computer. Plugins management (In App Purchase required) iVim provides a plugins manager, "iplug", for you to install and manage plugins easily. Version control (iVim Pro required) iVim has native version control system integrated into its UI and workflow, you get better idea of what is happening to your files, make changes with more confidence, and collaborate in editing more conveniently than ever. iVim Pro iVim provides a monthly subscription (with an introductory 1 week free trial), named "iVim Pro", enabling extra great features: - native version control Subscriptions will be charged to your Apple ID account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscriptions in Account Settings on App Store after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if any, will be forfeited when the user purchase a subscription. Terms of Use: https://github.com/terrychou/docs/blob/master/ivim-terms-of-use.md Privacy Policy: https://github.com/terrychou/docs/blob/master/ivim-privacy-policy.md Type ":help ios" in iVim for more detailed information.

About

SSH Term

A private SSH client for Mac, iPhone, and iPad offering full terminal and SCP functionality with live resource monitoring. All credentials remain on your device, ensuring 100% privacy. Offers premium features via subscription.

Highlights
  • Private SSH client
  • Full Terminal/SCP access
  • Live CPU/RAM/Disk monitoring
  • Credentials stay on device
  • SFTP support
Features
Read full description

Private SSH Client‌ The ‌100% private‌ SSH terminal for Mac/iPhone/iPad: • ‌No ads • Full ‌Terminal/SCP‌ with live ‌CPU/RAM/Disk‌ monitoring • ‌All credentials stay only on your device‌ - We ‌never collect‌ your data Subscription Terms Subscribe to access premium app features. Subscription details are the following: • Length: weekly or yearly • Free trial: only on selected subscriptions • Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase • You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase • Your subscription will renew automatically unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period • When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription Terms & Conditions https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/SSH-Term-Terms-Conditions-215cf6557a08807cb5d8c02f2604732b?source=copy_link Privacy Policy https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/SSH-Term-Privacy-Policy-215cf6557a08806db930c2fd2c221bee?source=copy_link Contact us at sshterm.help@gmail.com

Screenshots

iVim1 screens
SSH Term4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: iVim at none against SSH Term's shown. iVim also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (84% vs 60%). SSH Term's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. iVim sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and SSH Term sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iVim holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iVim has 167 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of iVim's written reviews are positive against 60% of SSH Term's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iVim ships an update every 5 weeks, SSH Term weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
iVim versus SSH Term: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriVimSSH Term
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (167 ratings) — better4.2 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews84.3% of reviews — better60.0% of reviews
Number of ratings167 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size127 MB126 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer文礼 周WHATSTICKER APPS SRL

Customer experience

iVim

All ratings167 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral4.2%
Negative6.6%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive84.3%
Neutral6.9%
Negative8.8%

SSH Term

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

Bugs and requests

iVim

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • Keyboard obscures command line and content
  • Keyboard cannot be hidden or dismissed properly
  • Paste function unreliable with Command-V
  • Plus buffer (+) paste not working
  • App loses all data when iOS suspends it
Show 10 more
  • Focus stealing in Split View mode
  • netrw breaks after accessing certain folders
  • relativenumber setting shows zero instead of current line number
  • First character on first line hidden on iPad Pro with rounded corners
  • Pinch/zoom feature too sensitive without dead zone
  • Help mode space and delete keys non-functional
  • Plugin loading errors (e.g., python-mode)
  • Cursor position issues with certain keyboard configurations
  • Key repeat not functioning for Vim movement keys
  • App crashes or becomes unusable without ESC key access

Requested features

16 requests
  • .vimrc functionality that actually works
  • Easier document/file access without multiple clicks
  • Reading mode to hide keyboard while scrolling
  • Better keyboard dismissal mechanism
  • Function keys on the keyboard
Show 11 more
  • Update to Vim 8 or newer version
  • Core git functionality without paywall
  • Better plugin installation process
  • Directory creation capability
  • Backtick (`) character in keyboard shortcuts
  • Improved help system with working space/delete keys
  • File browser integration within the app
  • Donation/tip option via in-app purchase
  • Online documentation outside the app
  • Support for newer iPad Pro display notches
  • Improved external keyboard support (especially folding keyboards)

SSH Term

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

iVim

Subscriptions1
  • iVim Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time4
  • Small Donation$1.99
  • Auto Restore$3.99
  • Plugins Manager$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Big Donation$9.99
4 purchases

SSH Term

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly premium$2.997 Days
  • Yearly premium$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly premium7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is iVim free?
iVim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SSH Term free?
SSH Term is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iVim or SSH Term?
iVim is rated higher. iVim averages 4.6 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while SSH Term averages 4.2 from 14 ratings.
Do iVim or SSH Term have ads?
SSH Term shows ads; iVim does not.
Which is updated more often, iVim or SSH Term?
iVim ships an update every 5 weeks, and SSH Term weekly. Most recently, iVim was updated on September 21, 2026 and SSH Term on September 8, 2026.

Other comparisons