# SSH Client vs CareServer

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SSH Client at 1.5K against CareServer's 26. SSH Client also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and chart position (#26 vs unranked). CareServer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.4). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and CareServer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for SSH Client against 4.7 for CareServer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 83% of CareServer's.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, CareServer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | CareServer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** | [4.7 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/careserver/id6474921250/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **94.3% of reviews** | 83.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#26** | — |
| Size | 117 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [Nanjing Jump Leyou Information Technology Co. LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676025905) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #116 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


### CareServer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/careserver/id6474921250)

Manage Linux servers and containers with SSH, SFTP, and terminal access. Monitor resource usage, network status, and processes. Offers robust file management and port forwarding capabilities.

**Highlights:** SSH, SFTP, and Terminal access, Linux server monitoring (CPU, memory, disk), Container management (Docker, Podman), Port forwarding, Proxy features, File management, Customizable interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $4.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $17.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is CareServer free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SSH Client or CareServer?

SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while CareServer averages 4.7 from 26 ratings.

### Do SSH Client or CareServer have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor CareServer shows ads.

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

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and CareServer every 3 weeks. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on September 23, 2026 and CareServer on September 24, 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.*