# SSH Client vs Prompt 3

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SSH Client at 94% against Prompt 3's 22%. SSH Client also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Prompt 3 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 349 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 22% of Prompt 3's.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, Prompt 3 every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | Prompt 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** | [4.3 (349 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prompt-3/id1594420480/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 349 |
| Positive reviews | **94.3% of reviews** | 22.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#20** | #23 |
| Size | 117 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [Panic, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/403388568) |

## 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


### Prompt 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prompt-3/id1594420480)

**Currently charting:** #23 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #126 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A fully-native terminal emulator for Apple devices, offering robust connectivity for SSH, Mosh, and more. It features fast emulation, customizable clips, secure authentication, and cross-device syncing for a seamless experience.

**Highlights:** Native terminal emulator, SSH, Mosh, Eternal Terminal, Telnet support, Panic Sync for cross-device server syncing, Superfast emulation with GPU acceleration, Customizable clips for commands, FaceID/TouchID authentication, Jump Hosts and Agent Forwarding

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prompt 3 iOS + Mac (Annual) | $9.99 | per year |
| Prompt 3 One Time | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and powerful
- 🔒 Secure with Secure Enclave support
- 👍 Great admin tool
- 👍 Continues to improve over time
- 👍 Fantastic terminal emulator on iPad

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 🚫 Subscription required for full functionality
- 💰 Extremely expensive, especially for existing users
- 🤔 Lacks features compared to competitors

**Reported bugs**

- Server list randomly disappears with Panic Sync
- Crashes when connected to external monitor
- Black screen issues with custom font configurations
- Sync issues causing data loss
- Vertical display sync issues

**Requested features**

- Shortcuts support on macOS
- Ability to click and select within commands
- Local shell option
- Run clips on server connection
- Export/backup clips


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is Prompt 3 free?

Prompt 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SSH Client or Prompt 3?

SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Prompt 3 averages 4.3 from 349 ratings.

### Do SSH Client or Prompt 3 have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor Prompt 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SSH Client or Prompt 3?

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and Prompt 3 every 6 weeks. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on September 23, 2026 and Prompt 3 on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SSH Client or Prompt 3?

SSH Client currently peaks at #20 in the App Store charts, and Prompt 3 at #23. 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.*