SSH Client vs CodeMan
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.
CodeMan
This app provides a powerful integration with VS Code, allowing you to code remotely on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It offers a full desktop experience with keyboard support and optimized touch interfaces for mobile devices.
- Connect to VS Code server instances
- Full desktop mode with chromeless browsing
- Desktop-class keyboard support
- Optimized touch interface for mobile
- Multi-window and Split View support on iPad
- Built-in debug console and real-time logging
- Secure HTTPS connections with optional self-signed certificates
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Powerful VS Code Integration • Connect to any VS Code server instance (or use vscode.dev) • Full desktop mode for complete feature access • Chromeless browsing for distraction-free coding • Self-signed certificate support for local servers Desktop-Class Keyboard Support • All VS Code keyboard shortcuts work perfectly • Command key passthrough to VS Code • System shortcuts for app functions (Cmd+,, Cmd+R, etc.) • External keyboard fully supported on iPad iPhone Features • Optimized touch interface for mobile coding • Quick-access toolbar with essential functions • Portrait and landscape support • Works great with external keyboards iPad Features • Local files support with VSCode extension • Multi-window support - work on multiple projects • Split View and Slide Over compatible • Full keyboard shortcut support • Perfect for iPad + Magic Keyboard setup Mac Features • Native Mac window management • Resizable windows with sensible defaults • Full menu bar integration • All keyboard shortcuts work as expected Developer Tools • Built-in debug console to monitor connections • Real-time logging for troubleshooting • Detailed error messages and suggestions • Export logs for debugging Security & Privacy • Your connections stay secure with HTTPS • Optional support for self-signed certificates • No tracking, no analytics, no data collection • All settings stored locally on your device Perfect for: • Remote development on the go • Code review from your phone • Quick fixes from your iPad • Full development sessions on Mac • Working with self-hosted VS Code servers • Accessing code-server instances • GitHub Codespaces with custom domains Limitations: CodeMan uses WebKit for rendering. Most VS Code features and popular extensions work perfectly. Some extensions requiring advanced browser-specific features (like SharedArrayBuffer) may have limited functionality. Core editing, IntelliSense, terminal, Git, and most popular extensions work without issues.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SSH Client at Free against CodeMan's $4.99. SSH Client also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.9) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 7). CodeMan's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
SSH Client is free to download; CodeMan costs $4.99 up front. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. CodeMan asks for nothing beyond the download.
SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 7, 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 71% of CodeMan's.
SSH Client ships an update weekly, CodeMan every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SSH Client | CodeMan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better | 3.9 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews — better | 71.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #32 — better | #192 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 117 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Anders Borum | Michael Frey |
Customer experience
SSH Client
CodeMan
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
CodeMan
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
CodeMan
No in-app purchases









