Comparison

SSH Client vs xTerminal

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

xTerminal

Manage servers remotely with a fast and secure SSH terminal client. Features include a powerful editor, multi-session management, file transfer, and advanced security options. Ideal for IT professionals and developers needing to control servers from anywhere.

Highlights
  • Interactive SSH terminal
  • Built-in vi/vim editor
  • Multi-session management
  • Command snippets
  • SFTP file management
  • Secure port knocking
  • Batch command execution
Features
Read full description

xTerminal - Your Ultimate SSH Terminal Shell xTerminal is your all-in-one SSH terminal client for managing servers with speed and security. Whether you're an IT professional or a developer, xTerminal gives you the tools to easily connect, control, and manage your servers from anywhere. Key Features: * Interactive SSH Terminal: A fast, reliable terminal for executing commands on your servers. Eg: Use top to monitor system status or follow logs with tail -f. * Powerful Editor: Edit documents with vi/vim just like on a desktop, with full support for CTRL and arrow keys, making your SSH terminal experience smooth. * Multi-Session Management: Manage multiple SSH connections at once. Add, remove, and switch between sessions with ease, boosting your productivity. * Snippets: Save and organize frequently used SSH commands. Quickly search by name, command, or label, making repeated tasks quicker and simpler. * Device Management: Add your SSH servers, group them by labels, and search by name, host, or labels. Connect via password or public key authentication. * Advanced SSH Options: Support for SSH jump hosts and SOCKS5 proxies for enhanced security and flexible connections. * SFTP for File Management: Upload, download, edit, move, and delete files using the built-in SFTP, allowing you to manage files on your servers directly from the terminal. * Keep Sessions Alive: Use “Keep Awake” and “Keep Alive” features to maintain persistent SSH connections without interruptions. * User-Friendly Interface: Simple navigation with pull-to-refresh, search highlights, sortable lists, and drag-and-drop to reorder devices or snippets. * Live Ping Monitoring: Check device connectivity in real-time with ping stats, including ms and TTL, helping you monitor the health of your network. * Discover Network Devices: Easily find and save neighboring network devices for quick access later. * Secure Port Knocking: Add an extra layer of protection by using port knocking to guard your servers from unauthorized access. * Enhanced Security: Use TouchID/FaceID to protect your SSH sessions, ensuring secure access to your terminal on app launch or resume. * iCloud Sync: Backup and restore your device and snippet lists across all iOS devices, ensuring seamless access to your settings anywhere. * Copy & Paste: Effortlessly run commands from the clipboard or copy terminal output, streamlining your workflow in the terminal. * Universal App: Optimized for both iPhone and iPad, giving you a consistent experience across devices. * Secure Data Storage: All credentials and data are stored securely on your device, so you can rest assured your information is safe. * Batch Execution: Execute commands on multiple servers at once and view all the outputs in one go. * Startup Snippets: Set up essential commands to run on app startup, giving you immediate access to critical tasks as soon as you connect. xTerminal is built for anyone needing a fast, reliable, and secure SSH terminal. It’s perfect for managing remote servers on various platforms, including macOS, Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Solaris, and OpenVMS. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Terms of use https://septudio.com/terms-of-use and privacy policy https://septudio.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

SSH Client4 screens
xTerminal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SSH Client at none against xTerminal's shown. SSH Client also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 69%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). xTerminal's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.4). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and xTerminal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for SSH Client against 4.7 for xTerminal. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 1.9K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 69% of xTerminal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SSH Client ships an update weekly, xTerminal every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
SSH Client versus xTerminal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSSH ClientxTerminal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better4.7 (1.9K ratings)
Positive reviews94.3% of reviews — better68.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K1.9K — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#19 — better#28
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.415.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnders Borum婉媚 邵

Customer experience

SSH Client

All ratings1,509 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral1.3%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews614 reviews
Positive94.3%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.9%

xTerminal

All ratings1,919 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral1.4%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews172 reviews
Positive68.6%
Neutral2.3%
Negative29.1%

User reviews

SSH Client

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Turns iPad into productivity machine
  • 🚀 Seamless SSH experience
  • 👍 Excellent integration with Files app
  • 👍 Robust key management and syncing
  • 👍 Powerful terminal with great features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
  • 🐛 Inconsistent behavior with some commands
  • 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and security

xTerminal

From 1.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast connections
  • 👍 Easy to navigate
  • 💡 Useful app
  • 👍 Great support team

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Security risks with storing credentials
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Occasional bugs
  • 🔒 Lack of secure credential entry

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

xTerminal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blank screen on connection
  • Incompatibility with older devices
  • Nano text editor issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Import key functionality
  • Improved ANSI support

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SSH Client

Subscriptions2
  • ShellFish Monthly subscription14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • ShellFish Annual subscription$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • ShellFish Lifetime Pro Unlock$29.99
3 purchases

xTerminal

Subscriptions2
  • xTerminal Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
  • xTerminal Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • xTerminal Pro2 variants$59.99

Questions

Is SSH Client free?
SSH Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is xTerminal free?
xTerminal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SSH Client or xTerminal?
SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while xTerminal averages 4.7 from 1.9K ratings.
Do SSH Client or xTerminal have ads?
xTerminal shows ads; SSH Client does not.
Which is updated more often, SSH Client or xTerminal?
SSH Client ships an update weekly, and xTerminal every 3 weeks. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on September 23, 2026 and xTerminal on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, SSH Client or xTerminal?
SSH Client currently peaks at #19 in the App Store charts, and xTerminal at #28. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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