# AirTerminal vs SSH Client

The clearest difference is price: SSH Client at Free against AirTerminal's $9.99. SSH Client also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 5). AirTerminal's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of AirTerminal's written reviews are positive against 94% of SSH Client's.

AirTerminal ships an update every 3 months, SSH Client weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AirTerminal | SSH Client |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airterminal-ble-terminal/id1296588408/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **1.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 72.2% of reviews | **94.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | #110 | **#25** |
| Size | 2 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [晓忠 马](https://appshunter.io/developer/1120243545) | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) |

## What reviewers say

### AirTerminal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airterminal-ble-terminal/id1296588408)

**Currently charting:** #110 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app provides a Bluetooth terminal for embedded devices, allowing console access without internet or SSH. It supports hardware keyboards and includes special buttons for common commands.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth (BLE) terminal, Console/shell access for embedded devices, Hardware keyboard support, Special input buttons (ESC, TAB, CTL, cursor), Automatic terminal size adjustment, Central and peripheral mode support, XMODEM file transfer

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #25 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #114 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 AirTerminal free?

AirTerminal 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, AirTerminal or SSH Client?

SSH Client is rated higher. AirTerminal averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while SSH Client averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do AirTerminal or SSH Client have ads?

Neither AirTerminal nor SSH Client shows ads.

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

AirTerminal ships an update every 3 months, and SSH Client weekly. Most recently, AirTerminal was updated on September 14, 2026 and SSH Client on September 25, 2026.

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

AirTerminal currently peaks at #110 in the App Store charts, and SSH Client at #25. 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.*