Comparison

SSH Client vs SwiftTermApp

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

SwiftTermApp

This app provides a high-fidelity terminal emulator with advanced Unicode support. It allows secure SSH connections using keys stored in the device's secure enclave and features animated backgrounds.

Highlights
  • Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulation
  • Unicode and international character support
  • Secure SSH key generation and storage
  • Animated background shaders
  • Remote system login
Features
Read full description

SwiftTerm is a comprehensive Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulator blending both high fidelity terminal emulation capabilities with the Unicode and international needs of modern users. SwiftTerm supports creating SSH keys that are stored on the secure enclave and can be used to log into remote systems securely from your phone. Additionally, Metal shaders provide for fun animated backgrounds for all your terminal needs.

Screenshots

SSH Client4 screens
SwiftTermApp2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SwiftTermApp at none against SSH Client's 3. SwiftTermApp also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.4). SSH Client's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 4) and chart position (#17 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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. SwiftTermApp asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SwiftTermApp holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 4, 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 100% of SwiftTermApp's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
SSH Client versus SwiftTermApp: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSSH ClientSwiftTermApp
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.5K ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews94.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.5K — better4
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank#17 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnders BorumMIguel de Icaza

Customer experience

SSH Client

All ratings1,528 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews627 reviews
Positive94.4%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.8%

SwiftTermApp

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

SwiftTermApp

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

SwiftTermApp

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SSH Client free?
SSH Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SwiftTermApp free?
SwiftTermApp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SSH Client or SwiftTermApp?
SwiftTermApp is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while SwiftTermApp averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do SSH Client or SwiftTermApp have ads?
Neither SSH Client nor SwiftTermApp shows ads.

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