# SSH Client vs meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SSH Client at 1.5K against meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale's 2. SSH Client also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and chart position (#26 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SSH Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SSH Client has 1.5K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 94% of SSH Client's written reviews are positive against 100% of meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meshterm-ssh-client-tailscale/id6761196011/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#26** | — |
| Size | 132 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [AG Applications Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1888218641) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #158 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


### meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meshterm-ssh-client-tailscale/id6761196011)

A private SSH and SFTP client designed for engineers, featuring built-in Tailscale integration for secure connections. It offers persistent terminal sessions that sync across devices and a custom keyboard optimized for command-line use.

**Highlights:** Built-in Tailscale stack, Persistent terminal sessions, Customizable command-line keyboard, Predictive command suggestions, SSH and SFTP support, Multi-client named sessions, Privacy-focused design

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Pro Annual | $12.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SSH Client or meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale?

SSH Client is rated higher. SSH Client averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do SSH Client or meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SSH Client or meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale?

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale every 9 days. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on October 7, 2026 and meshTerm SSH Client Tailscale on October 8, 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.*