Comparison

PiHelper vs SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PiHelper

Easily connect to and manage your Raspberry Pi or Linux machine remotely. Monitor system resources, control GPIO pins, and access an SSH terminal. Browse and manage files with SFTP and perform server actions like rebooting.

Highlights
  • Real-time system monitoring (CPU, memory, disk, temp)
  • Interactive GPIO control
  • Full SSH terminal experience
  • SFTP file browser with upload/download
  • Remote reboot and halt server
  • Custom command execution
Features
Read full description

Get started with PiHelper: https://medium.com/swlh/using-pihelper-to-monitor-and-manage-raspberry-pis-9a24065febed PiHelper lets you connect and manage your Raspberry Pi or Linux machine easily. - Monitor CPU, memory, disk usage, processes and/or temperature statics in realtime. - GPIO Colorful pinout. Tap to change GPIO mode and output. - SSH Terminal Realtime shell with full xterm experience. - SFTP / File browser Browse files and directories. Easy upload, download, rename and delete. - Single tap to reboot / halt server. Custom commands are also supported. - Multi-language support: -- English -- 中文 -- 日本語 -- Русский (Thanks to Sergey Britov) -- Deutsche (Thanks to Daniel Wolf) -- Français (Thanks to Dorian Eydoux) -- Lietuvis (Thanks to Ernestas Kardzys) Report issue: - Email: pihelper@outlook.com - Twitter: @shaqian629 Notes: - Public/Private key authentication only supports RSA keys. - To use the GPIO tool with RPi 4, please upgrade wiringPi to 2.52+: cd /tmp wget https://project-down­load­s.­dro­gon.net/wiring­pi-lat­est.deb sudo dpkg -i wiring­pi-lat­est.deb Reference: http://wiring­pi.­com/wiring­pi-up­dat­ed-to-2-52-for-the-rasp­ber­ry-pi-4b/

About

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

Manage your Raspberry Pi from your iPhone or iPad. Monitor system activity with graphs, run custom commands, and access a terminal shell. Includes widgets, file browsing, and support for multiple Pis.

Highlights
  • Monitor CPU, Memory, Temperature, Disk Usage
  • Run custom commands with one tap
  • Full terminal shell access
  • Home screen widgets for monitoring and control
  • File browser with export options
  • Manage multiple Raspberry Pi devices
  • Public key authentication
Features
Read full description

SimplePi is the Swiss army knife utility app for monitoring, controlling, and managing your Raspberry Pi using your iPhone and iPad. MONITOR ACTIVITY See what is going on with your Raspberry Pi. CPU, Memory, Temperature, Disk Usage, and Clock activity are shown in beautiful and easily understandable graphs. CONTROL Run commands on your Pi with a single tap. Want to have your own commands? No problem. SimplePi lets you add as many commands as you wish. Additionally, you can manage your commands in groups. TERMINAL SHELL Access your Pi from a shell terminal with colored output and hardware keyboard support. The on-screen keyboard comes with fast access to commonly used special keys like ctrl and arrow keys. WIDGETS Monitor your Pi and run commands right from the Home Screen with various widgets. VIEW COMMAND RESULTS View and export command results and logs automatically. The results history allows you to view the results of previous commands. DETAILED STATS Detailed Stats for CPU and Memory give you an insight on which processes are running, how much memory is active, and much more. FILE BROWSER Browse Files and Folders in a file browser-like experience. View and export files of various formats. MANAGE MULTIPLE PI SimplePi can manage multiple Raspberry Pi. Configure each Raspberry Pi and connect to them simultaneously. KEY AUTHENTICATION Public Key authentication gives you the flexibility to authenticate in your preferred way. Key files can be imported via iTunes or from other apps. ICLOUD SYNC Sync Commands, Hosts, Keys over iCloud APP LOCK Lock the app using FaceID, TouchID, or a custom passcode HOME SCREEN WIDGETS Run commands directly from your Home Screen on iOS 14 Siri Shortcuts Integrate commands into automated worflows using the Shortcuts app (requires iOS14 or later) NOTE: SSH needs to be enabled on your Raspberry Pi for SimplePi to work correctly. SimplePi has been tested with the latest releases of * Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian) * Raspbmc * OpenElec * Xbian * Pidora * Arch Linux SimplePi works on all Raspberry Pi models. NOTE (only for Xbian users): Automatic start of xbian-config needs to be disabled. You can do this when connecting via SSH and selecting Config > Settings > Xbian Config > NO. There are many different configurations out there. If you encounter problems with one of the distributions above or want to have your distribution support, please contact us.

Screenshots

PiHelper4 screens
SimplePi for Raspberry Pi4 screens

Verdict

The call

PiHelper and SimplePi for Raspberry Pi both sit at 4.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 64% of PiHelper's written reviews are positive against 26% of SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's. PiHelper also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 5 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PiHelper sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SimplePi for Raspberry Pi sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PiHelper holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 247 and 125 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of PiHelper's written reviews are positive against 26% of SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PiHelper ships an update every 5 months, SimplePi for Raspberry Pi every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PiHelper versus SimplePi for Raspberry Pi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPiHelperSimplePi for Raspberry Pi
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (247 ratings) — better3.9 (125 ratings)
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews — better25.7% of reviews
Number of ratings247 — better125
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer茜 沙Benedikt Hirmer

Customer experience

PiHelper

All ratings247 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral6.1%
Negative17.0%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative27.4%

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

All ratings125 ratings
Positive71.2%
Neutral2.4%
Negative26.4%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive25.7%
Neutral2.9%
Negative71.4%

User reviews

PiHelper

From 247 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💻 Convenient remote management
  • 📊 Useful monitoring features
  • 🔑 SSH and SFTP access
  • 🚀 Clean and intuitive UI
  • 💰 Reasonable pricing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer OS versions
  • 🔒 Unreliable authentication methods
  • 🖥️ Terminal interface limitations
  • 🔄 Abandoned by developers
  • ⚠️ Potential security concerns

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

From 125 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Useful tool, does what it says
  • 🚀 Fantastic app, great CLI access
  • 💡 Full Bash and Python support
  • 📈 Provides CPU, GPU, RAM stats
  • 💰 Low annual cost (£4.99/year)

Room to improve

  • ❌ Subscription required to function
  • ❌ Frequent connection issues
  • ❌ Paywall limits functionality
  • ❌ App crashes frequently
  • ❌ Fails to display stats

Bugs and requests

PiHelper

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Inability to connect to Raspberry Pis
  • Clipboard data being accessed
  • Terminal crashes and text wrapping issues
  • Inaccurate CPU and GPU usage reporting
  • Incompatibility with newer SSH ciphers

Requested features

5 requests
  • Support for Raspberry Pi 5
  • Temperature monitoring in Fahrenheit
  • Ability to clear RSA keys
  • Network and disk usage monitoring
  • Offline notification alerts

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App refuses to connect after closing
  • Opening app redirects to paywall
  • Temporary fix for connection issues: remove host, force close, re-add
  • App crashes several times
  • Fails 50% of the time to display GPU, CPU, and temp settings
Show 8 more
  • Screen disappears when trying to navigate raspi-config
  • Cannot view output of continuously running commands
  • Continuously running commands abort when phone screen locks
  • App rejects credentials that other apps accept
  • Monitoring features do not work
  • App shows one-week free trial but requires subscription immediately
  • App doesn't stay connected, screens close and pop around
  • App rejects identical credentials that other PI apps accept

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow commands to keep running when phone screen locks
  • Ability to view results log for commands
  • Option to remove added commands
  • Improve navigation for raspi-config
  • Store SSH private keys securely using iOS Keychain

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PiHelper

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99
1 purchases

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

Subscriptions1
  • Full Access (12 months)7 Days trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is PiHelper free?
PiHelper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SimplePi for Raspberry Pi free?
SimplePi for Raspberry Pi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PiHelper or SimplePi for Raspberry Pi?
PiHelper is rated higher. PiHelper averages 4.1 out of 5 from 247 ratings, while SimplePi for Raspberry Pi averages 3.9 from 125 ratings.
Do PiHelper or SimplePi for Raspberry Pi have ads?
Neither PiHelper nor SimplePi for Raspberry Pi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PiHelper or SimplePi for Raspberry Pi?
PiHelper ships an update every 5 months, and SimplePi for Raspberry Pi every 8 days. Most recently, PiHelper was updated on October 7, 2026 and SimplePi for Raspberry Pi on October 12, 2026.

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