# SSH Client vs IDFA

The clearest difference is price: SSH Client at Free against IDFA's $0.99. SSH Client also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 14 months) and chart position (#28 vs unranked). IDFA's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.4). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

SSH Client is free to download; IDFA costs $0.99 up front. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. IDFA asks for nothing beyond the download.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, IDFA every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | IDFA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Best chart rank | **#28** | — |
| Size | 128 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [Francesco Varotti](https://appshunter.io/developer/1501752853) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #28 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #104 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


### IDFA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idfa/id1609125369)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is IDFA free?

IDFA costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do SSH Client or IDFA have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor IDFA shows ads.

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

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and IDFA every 14 months. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on October 2, 2026 and IDFA on September 17, 2026.

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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.*