Comparison

SSH Client vs Source Files

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

Source Files

Access GitHub, Gitea, GitLab, and BitBucket directly from your file manager without cloning. Edit large repositories in seconds using REST APIs, with support for automation and file uploads. Offers a free tier for single servers and a Pro Unlock for multiple servers.

Highlights
  • Direct file access via Finder/Files app
  • Edit files in favorite apps
  • REST API for fast access
  • Supports GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, BitBucket
  • Shortcuts automation support
  • File uploads via services menu
Features
Read full description

Source Files is a faster way to access GitHub, Gitea, GitLab and BitBucket from the Finder and Files app without having to clone repositories or commit changes. Using REST APIs instead of the traditional Git protocol you will be editing files in even the largest repositories in seconds: • Drag a repository URL to the Files app • Browse the directory that immediately appears • Open and Edit files in your favorite app Source Files is file oriented and making edits to 3 different files will result in 3 commits. It is possible to configure the app to work in a branch where a messy commit history is acceptable and merge changes back using pull requests. Consider using traditional Git clients like Working Copy or Tower for projects that need a tidy commit history in all branches. There is rich support for automation with Shortcuts actions to List, Download, Upload and Move files. Uploading files from the Mac services menu and share sheet is supported and very fast as target directories are remembered for different file types. The app is free to use with a single server. A Pro Unlock is required for multiple servers, available as a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription, with access shared across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A one-week free trial allows users to evaluate Pro features before purchase. Source Files is restricted by GitHub, GitLab and BitBucket API quotas that depend on your account privileges.

Screenshots

SSH Client4 screens
Source Files4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SSH Client at 4.8 against Source Files's 4.4. SSH Client also leads on ratings volume (1.5K vs 30) and review sentiment (94% vs 74%). On price, update cadence, ads 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 Source Files sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 30, 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 74% of Source Files's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
SSH Client versus Source Files: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSSH ClientSource Files
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better4.4 (30 ratings)
Positive reviews94.3% of reviews — better74.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K — better30
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#19 — better#151
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS17.4 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnders BorumAnders Borum ApS

Customer experience

SSH Client

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

Source Files

All ratings30 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral3.3%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive74.2%
Neutral6.5%
Negative19.4%

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

Source Files

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
3 purchases

Source Files

Subscriptions1
  • Source Files Monthly7 Days trial$2.491 Month
One-time2
  • Lifetime Source Pro$23.99
  • Lifetime Source Pro$24.99

Questions

Is SSH Client free?
SSH Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Source Files free?
Source Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SSH Client or Source Files?
SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Source Files averages 4.4 from 30 ratings.
Do SSH Client or Source Files have ads?
Neither SSH Client nor Source Files shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SSH Client or Source Files?
SSH Client ships an update weekly, and Source Files weekly. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on September 23, 2026 and Source Files on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, SSH Client or Source Files?
SSH Client currently peaks at #19 in the App Store charts, and Source Files at #151. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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