# SSH Client vs SSHive

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SSH Client at 1.5K against SSHive's 1. SSH Client also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and chart position (#23 vs unranked). SSHive's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, review sentiment, 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 SSHive sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SSHive 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. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 100% of SSHive's.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, SSHive every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | SSHive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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/sshive-ssh-sftp-and-terminal/id6760705487/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#23** | — |
| Size | 132 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [NetMeSafe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885828603) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #23 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #138 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


### SSHive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sshive-ssh-sftp-and-terminal/id6760705487)

This app provides comprehensive remote access to servers and desktops, supporting SSH, SFTP, RDP, VNC, and VPN. Manage files, open terminals, and control remote machines securely from your iPhone or iPad.

**Highlights:** SSH terminal access, SFTP file management, RDP and VNC remote desktop, Built-in VPN, Secure credential management, iCloud sync, Face ID/Touch ID protection

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SSHive Pro | $8.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is SSHive free?

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

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

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

### Do SSH Client or SSHive have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor SSHive shows ads.

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

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and SSHive every 3 weeks. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on October 13, 2026 and SSHive on September 30, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*