# SSH Client vs npm Registry

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: npm Registry at none against SSH Client's 3. npm Registry also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). SSH Client's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 16) and chart position (#21 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. npm Registry asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for SSH Client against 4.8 for npm Registry. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 86% of npm Registry's.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, npm Registry every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | npm Registry |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews) | [4.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npm-registry/id1360641778/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 16 |
| Positive reviews | **94.3% of reviews** | 85.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#21** | — |
| Size | 117 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [Daniel Sogl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1134880045) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #21 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #118 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


### npm Registry

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npm-registry/id1360641778)

Explore and track over 2 million JavaScript packages. Features smart search, GitHub integration, detailed package information, and download analytics. Save favorites and share with your team.

**Highlights:** Real-time search with autocomplete, GitHub repository stats, Full README rendering, Download trend charts, Package favorites and bookmarks, Share package links

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is npm Registry free?

npm Registry is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SSH Client or npm Registry?

SSH Client and npm Registry are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.5K and 16 ratings respectively.

### Do SSH Client or npm Registry have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor npm Registry shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SSH Client or npm Registry?

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and npm Registry every 3 days. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on September 23, 2026 and npm Registry on September 11, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*