SSH Client vs Pier22
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Pier22
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Pier22 is the SSH, SFTP and FTP client that respects you. TERMINAL AND FILES, TOGETHER See your server's files next to a live terminal in one screen. Edit a config in the file panel, restart the service in the terminal - without switching apps or tabs. PAY ONCE. NO SUBSCRIPTION. Pier22 is free for up to 2 servers. One purchase unlocks unlimited servers forever. No monthly fee for talking to your own server. NO ACCOUNT. NO CLOUD. No sign-up. No sync servers. Your passwords and private keys are stored only in your device's Keychain and go only to the server you connect to. Generate keys inside the Secure Enclave, where they can never be exported. FEATURES - Full terminal (xterm-256color) with a key bar, snippets and recording - SFTP and FTP/FTPS file browser: browse, edit, upload, download, rename, delete - Large-file streaming with progress and pause/resume; whole-folder transfers - Password and OpenSSH key auth (ed25519, RSA), plus Secure Enclave keys - Jump host / bastion support - Port forwarding - Host key verification (TOFU) with clear warnings - Import servers from FileZilla or your ssh config - Encrypted backup and restore - move servers between devices, no cloud - Face ID / Touch ID lock - Split view on iPad, tabs on iPhone, multiple live sessions
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pier22 at none against SSH Client's 3. SSH Client's advantage is chart position (#18 vs unranked) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, 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
Both are free to download. SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Pier22 asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | SSH Client | Pier22 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.6K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 94.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Best chart rank | #18 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 132 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Anders Borum | TechnoBlink |
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
Pier22
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SSH Client
- ShellFish Monthly subscription14 Days trial$2.991 Month
- ShellFish Annual subscription$14.991 Year
- ShellFish Lifetime Pro Unlock$29.99
Pier22
No in-app purchases









