SSH Client vs OpenTerm
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SSH Client
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.
- 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
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Lightning fast SSH terminal with remote file access. No other app fuses your SSH servers and iOS devices as well as Secure ShellFish. Tap Get and see for yourself. Terminal supports standard text editing gestures for selection, scrolling and copy/paste as well as custom gestures to send arrow keys and tabulator making shell entry and full screen editing with vim or emacs delightful. Bar above the keyboard makes it easy to type special keys and insert snippets. Select and drag filenames out of the terminal as actual files and drag files from other apps into the terminal to upload. Use built-in tmux support to persist terminal sessions if you lose Internet access, pick existing sessions with thumbnails and Handoff sessions between devices. Server file system is available in the Files app and recently accessed files and directories are cached to make them available when offline. Use apps like Textastic and iA Writer for a native editing experience working on your remote server files. Upload files or entire directories from the share sheet with minimal friction as the last destination directory for each kind of file is remembered or automate file transfers in the Shortcuts app. Connect to your Mac, Synology NAS and any other SSH server or create new Digital Ocean droplets right from the app. Secure ShellFish is useful as a free app and paying pro users can disable ads in the terminal, upload through the Files app and configure unlimited number of servers.
OpenTerm
This app provides a powerful command-line interface on iOS, enabling users to execute a wide range of Linux commands, manage files, and connect to remote servers via SSH/FTP. It supports scripting languages like Python and Lua, making it ideal for developers and tech professionals on the move.
- Comprehensive command library
- File management
- Network tools
- SSH/FTP remote access
- Python and Lua interpreter support
- Customizable settings
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OpenTerm brings the power of a command line interface to iOS, making it the go-to terminal emulator for developers, tech enthusiasts, and professionals on the go. This advanced CLI tool is designed to function seamlessly within iOS’s sandboxed environment, supporting an extensive range of Linux-based commands and providing SSH/FTP client capabilities for secure remote connections. Key Features: • Comprehensive Command Library: Execute popular commands like `ls`, `cat`, `grep`, `curl`, `echo`, `scp`, `ssh`, and many more. New commands are added regularly to enhance functionality. • File Management: Seamlessly create, delete, move, and copy files within your iOS filesystem. • Network Tools: Utilize commands like `ping`, `nslookup`, `nc`, and `curl` to diagnose network issues and connect with remote systems. • Remote Access: Securely access and manage servers with SSH and FTP/SFTP, directly from your device. • Built-in Utilities: Includes useful scripting and automation tools (`awk`, `sed`, `grep`), and utilities like `gzip` for file compression. • Programming Language Support: Run and experiment with interpreters like **Python** and **Lua**, making it easy to test code snippets or automate tasks on the go. • Customizable: Tailor your CLI experience with customizable settings, such as enabling command aliases or configuring network connection preferences. Whether you’re troubleshooting remotely, managing files, running quick scripts, or testing Python/Lua code, OpenTerm empowers you to bring the full power of a command line wherever you are. More commands and enhancements are coming soon! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to contact us at miaozhi.ai@gmail.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: SSH Client at 94% against OpenTerm's 44%. SSH Client also leads on price (Free vs $4.99) and rating (4.8 vs 4.2). OpenTerm's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.4). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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
SSH Client is free to download; OpenTerm costs $4.99 up front. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and OpenTerm sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 188, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 44% of OpenTerm's.
SSH Client ships an update weekly, OpenTerm every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SSH Client | OpenTerm |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better | 4.2 (188 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 94.3% of reviews — better | 44.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 188 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #24 — better | #66 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 117 MB | 86 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Anders Borum | CHENGDU MIAOZHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
Customer experience
SSH Client
OpenTerm
Bugs and requests
SSH Client
Reported bugs
2 issues- Crashes when running certain commands
- Issues with file transfer progress reporting
Requested features
4 requests- Improved documentation and tutorials
- Support for additional authentication methods
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts and layouts
- Tabbed terminal interface
OpenTerm
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SSH Client
- ShellFish Monthly subscription14 Days trial$2.991 Month
- ShellFish Annual subscription$14.991 Year
- ShellFish Lifetime Pro Unlock$29.99
OpenTerm
- Lifetime Premium$3.99








