# SSH Client vs Penguin Checker

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Penguin Checker at none against SSH Client's 3. Penguin Checker also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). SSH Client's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 1) and chart position (#22 vs unranked). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Penguin Checker asks for nothing beyond the download.

Penguin Checker holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, Penguin Checker every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | Penguin Checker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penguin-checker/id6692630535/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#22** | — |
| Size | 132 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **16.6** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [Wai-Ming Chan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1769013729) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #22 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #105 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


### Penguin Checker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penguin-checker/id6692630535)

This in-house tool offers advanced device scanning for professionals. It provides real-time performance metrics and data analysis for internal teams, enabling efficient troubleshooting and insights.

**Highlights:** Advanced device scanning, Real-time performance metrics, Data analysis, Troubleshooting tools, User-friendly interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is Penguin Checker free?

Penguin Checker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SSH Client or Penguin Checker?

Penguin Checker is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Penguin Checker averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do SSH Client or Penguin Checker have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor Penguin Checker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SSH Client or Penguin Checker?

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and Penguin Checker every 2 days. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on October 13, 2026 and Penguin Checker on September 30, 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.*