SSH Client vs Source Files
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SSH Client | Source Files |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better | 4.4 (30 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 94.3% of reviews — better | 74.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 30 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #19 — better | #151 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 117 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Anders Borum | Anders Borum ApS |
Customer experience
SSH Client
Source Files
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
SSH Client
- ShellFish Monthly subscription14 Days trial$2.991 Month
- ShellFish Annual subscription$14.991 Year
- ShellFish Lifetime Pro Unlock$29.99
Source Files
- Source Files Monthly7 Days trial$2.491 Month
- Lifetime Source Pro$23.99
- Lifetime Source Pro$24.99
Questions
Is SSH Client free?
Is Source Files free?
Which has better reviews, SSH Client or Source Files?
Do SSH Client or Source Files have ads?
Which is updated more often, SSH Client or Source Files?
Which is more popular, SSH Client or Source Files?
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