# SSH Client vs ServerCat

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SSH Client at 94% against ServerCat's 77%. SSH Client also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and ServerCat sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 996 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 77% of ServerCat's.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, ServerCat every 5 days. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | ServerCat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** | [4.6 (996 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/servercat-ssh-terminal/id1501532023/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 996 |
| Positive reviews | **94.3% of reviews** | 77.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#20** | #50 |
| Size | 117 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [Early Moon, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1119881923) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #20 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


### ServerCat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/servercat-ssh-terminal/id1501532023)

**Currently charting:** #50 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #162 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Monitor your Linux servers and Docker containers directly from your mobile device. View detailed resource usage, network traffic, and container stats. Offers an SSH terminal for remote management and automation capabilities.

**Highlights:** Server status monitoring, CPU, GPU, Memory usage, Network traffic and speed, Docker container stats, SSH Shell Terminal, Container management

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Annual Subscription | $5.99 | per year |
| Premium Upgrade Discount | $5.99 | one-time |
| ServerCat Lifetime Premium | $18.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic app
- 🚀 Convenient and powerful
- 👍 Intuitive and feature-rich
- 👍 Excellent for monitoring Linux servers
- 👍 Beautiful and well-designed UI

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Unstable on iPhone 13
- 🐛 Scrolling and copy-paste issues
- 🐛 Incompatible with some platforms (FreeBSD, Windows)
- 🔋 High CPU usage when connected to servers

**Reported bugs**

- Connection issues and failed logins
- Server status not refreshing properly
- Crashes when switching between screens or using certain features
- Incompatibility with certain server configurations (e.g., Debian/Ubuntu only for some features)

**Requested features**

- Add support for SFTP
- Implement Celsius temperature display
- Add home screen widgets for server status
- Improve syncing of servers and SSH keys across devices
- Enhance Docker/container management features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is ServerCat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SSH Client or ServerCat?

SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while ServerCat averages 4.6 from 996 ratings.

### Do SSH Client or ServerCat have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor ServerCat shows ads.

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

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and ServerCat every 5 days. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on September 23, 2026 and ServerCat on September 23, 2026.

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

SSH Client currently peaks at #20 in the App Store charts, and ServerCat at #50. 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.*