# SSH Client vs MuxPad

The clearest difference is price: SSH Client at Free against MuxPad's $5.99. SSH Client also leads on chart position (#26 vs unranked) and device support (4 vs 2). MuxPad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). On review sentiment, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

SSH Client is free to download; MuxPad costs $5.99 up front. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. MuxPad asks for nothing beyond the download.

SSH Client ships an update weekly, MuxPad every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SSH Client | MuxPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $5.99 |
| 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 | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#26** | — |
| Size | 132 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anders Borum](https://appshunter.io/developer/343532883) | [You Dohyuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/6775334160) |

## What reviewers say

### SSH Client

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

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #113 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


### MuxPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muxpad/id6787457752)

This app provides a native tmux terminal experience for iPads, leveraging tmux control mode to map sessions, windows, and panes to an intuitive iPad UI. It offers full hardware keyboard control, a dual-pane SFTP file manager, and seamless session persistence across devices.

**Highlights:** Native tmux pane and window mapping, Full hardware keyboard control, Dual-pane SFTP file manager, Session persistence and cross-device reconnection, iCloud synchronization for hosts and sessions, Live Activity for session status

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SSH Client free?

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

### Is MuxPad free?

MuxPad costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do SSH Client or MuxPad have ads?

Neither SSH Client nor MuxPad shows ads.

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

SSH Client ships an update weekly, and MuxPad every 2 days. Most recently, SSH Client was updated on October 14, 2026 and MuxPad on October 11, 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.*