# SSH Client vs Pling

The clearest difference is chart position: SSH Client at #24 against Pling's 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 Pling sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | Pling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-client-secure-shellfish/id1336634154/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#24** | — |
| Size | 117 MB | 89 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [Layton Labs AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1815163651) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #24 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #115 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


### Pling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pling-ssh-client-and-sftp/id6761271025)

This app provides a powerful SSH client and push notification platform for managing servers on mobile devices. It offers a full terminal experience, AI command generation, server monitoring, and SFTP file management. Users can also triage notifications and check host status from their Apple Watch.

**Highlights:** Full SSH and Mosh terminal emulation, Push notifications for server events, AI-powered command generation, Real-time server monitoring, SFTP file manager, Customizable terminal themes, Split-pane terminals on iPad

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pling Pro - Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Pling Pro - Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Pling Pro - Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is Pling free?

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

### Do SSH Client or Pling have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor Pling shows ads.

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

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and Pling weekly. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on September 25, 2026 and Pling on September 10, 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.*