Comparison

SSH Client vs Hex

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

Hex

Features
Read full description

Hex is a developer multi-tool for iPhone and iPad. 21 utilities across 5 categories — everything you reach for daily but shouldn't need a laptop to use. ENCODE Base64 Encode/Decode URL Encode/Decode HTML Entity Encode/Decode JWT Token Decoder Hash Generator (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) FORMAT JSON Formatter & Validator XML Formatter SQL Formatter Markdown Preview HTML Preview GENERATE UUID Generator (batch mode) Lorem Ipsum Generator Password Generator with strength meter Color Converter (HEX / RGB / HSL) File Checksum TIME Unix Timestamp Converter Cron Expression Parser Timezone Converter TEXT Diff Checker Regex Tester with live match highlighting Text Inspector (character, word, line count) BUILT FOR DEVELOPERS Clipboard auto-detection suggests the right tool instantly Deep link support (hex://json, hex://base64, etc.) Export results in native file formats Haptic feedback throughout Dark theme with monospace typography PRIVACY FIRST Works 100% offline — no network access, ever No analytics, no tracking, no accounts No subscriptions — one-time purchase Built by Shy Guy LLC.

Screenshots

SSH Client4 screens
Hex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SSH Client at Free against Hex's $2.99. SSH Client also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and chart position (#38 vs unranked). Hex's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

SSH Client is free to download; Hex costs $2.99 up front. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Hex asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SSH Client ships an update weekly, Hex every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
SSH Client versus Hex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSSH ClientHex
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews94.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.5K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
Best chart rank#38 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.417.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnders BorumChad Neal

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

Hex

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
None

Hex

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SSH Client free?
SSH Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hex free?
Hex costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SSH Client or Hex have ads?
Neither SSH Client nor Hex shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SSH Client or Hex?
SSH Client ships an update weekly, and Hex every 4 months. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on October 20, 2026 and Hex on October 12, 2026.

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