Comparison

Secure Terminal vs ShellBean

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

Head to head
About

Secure Terminal

This application provides secure remote access to servers via SSH and Telnet. It supports various authentication methods, terminal emulations, and file transfer protocols. Advanced features like SFTP and port forwarding are available through an in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • SSH & Telnet connection
  • Password & key authentication
  • SFTP file transfer
  • xterm-256color emulation
  • Key generation
  • Port forwarding
  • Customizable terminal
Features
Read full description

SSH Terminal to access multiple SSH server, with full support of "xterm-256color" emulation. Base Features: • SSH connection with password or key authentication: DSA, RSA, ECDSA, Ed25519 (OpenSSH format & Putty PPK) • SSH Agent • Key generation (RSA, ECDSA, Ed25519) • Support for FIDO key (iPhone NFC only) • Secure Enclave Key • Support for Mosh, Sixel, iTerm2 image, ZModem and Trzsz protocols • Connection params are safely stored on Keychain • Connection history & localization • Connection through SSH proxy • Connection with Telnet protocol • External keyboard support • Terminal colors customization • Multiple font size • Image background • User font choice (fixed width only) • Pointer/Mouse support PRO Features (require in-app purchase): • Upload/Download files through SFTP • Port forwarding • Local text editor • Store unlimited connections • Files plugin support • Shortcuts support • Commands snippet • Hosts Status Dashboard • SFTP Commander • XWindow (iPad only)

About

ShellBean

A powerful SSH and SFTP client with integrated monitoring and scripting automation for efficient Linux server management. Offers advanced terminal features, file editing, and secure data synchronization.

Highlights
  • AI-enhanced SSH/SFTP client
  • Server monitoring tools
  • Scripting automation
  • Built-in text editor
  • Multi-level jump server login
  • SFTP file management
  • iCloud data synchronization
Features
Read full description

ShellBean is a professional, modern, full-featured SSH SFTP client that integrates monitoring and scripting automation tools over SSH to help you quickly and easily manage your Linux servers without installing any third-party applications. ShellBean offers the following free features: - Move the cursor quickly with single-tap and long-press drag gestures in terminal - Supports multi-level jump servers login - Built-in text editor, easy to edit files - Multiple SSH terminal color schemes and fonts settings - SFTP within Files App (read-only) (iOS 16 and above) - Support for iOS/iPadOS/macOS systems - iPad split-screen support - Support iOS 17 Widget, Monitor Server at Home Screen - Face ID unlock App - SSH Terminal - Zmodem rz sz file transfer - SSH keys management - Port forwarding, support for local, remote and dynamic three modes - Server, code snippets and Port forwardings can be managed in groups - Securely synchronize data between all your devices via iCloud (using only your private iCloud space) - View the process list, sort by PID, COMMAND, CPU, MEM - View server usage per CPU core - Support displaying CPU temperature - Memory usage - Network traffic and rates, as well as traffic status for each interface - Disk Partition Occupancy and Read/Write Rates - Monitor the status of NVIDIA graphics cards - Select servers to run Snippets in batches - Manage Snippets and run them on servers within touchs - SFTP file management within Files App (iOS 16 and above) Unlocking the Premium version you will get the following features: - Dynamic port forwarding - Monitor disk inode data - Quickly execute snippets in the terminal - Terminal split screen and broadcast input - Terminal logging to file Data security: All data is only stored locally on your device and in your private iCloud space, we will not upload any of your server, key, script data. Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy https://shellbean.app/privacy

Screenshots

Secure Terminal4 screens
ShellBean4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Secure Terminal at 4.5 against ShellBean's 4.1. Secure Terminal also leads on ratings volume (63 vs 15). ShellBean's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Secure Terminal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ShellBean sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Secure Terminal holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 63 and 15 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 86% and 86% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Secure Terminal ships an update every 3 weeks, ShellBean weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Secure Terminal versus ShellBean: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecure TerminalShellBean
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (63 ratings) — better4.1 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews85.9% of reviews86.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings63 — better15
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.616 — better
Further details — not scored
Size196 MB169 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilippo Maguolo北京如电科技有限公司

Customer experience

Secure Terminal

All ratings63 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive85.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative11.5%

ShellBean

All ratings15 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive86.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative6.2%

Bugs and requests

Secure Terminal

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • SFTP cannot be opened when using a proxy server to connect to SSH
  • Backspace clears the entire line, hiding the current working directory
  • App crashes during docker compose pull with ZSH and ohmyzsh
  • FaceID authenticates only once per app execution
  • File transfer adds single quotes to the beginning and end of filenames
Show 9 more
  • Password input is case-insensitive, causing login failures
  • Background mode loses connections within ~30 seconds
  • Slide-up toolbar covers the bottom line of text when using an external keyboard
  • Pro features not working after app was offloaded/reloaded
  • App crashes frequently
  • Cannot log in to remote servers without a password
  • External keyboard shortcuts sometimes stop working
  • Background color change not working
  • Cannot insert copied password into Linux terminal

Requested features

19 requests
  • Allow adding more than one connection in free version
  • Improve UI/UX for better intuitiveness
  • Provide clear documentation for Port Forwarding
  • Add ability to format/prettify command snippets in clipboard/saved commands
  • Keep theme full dark and add plain simple b&w icon
Show 14 more
  • Make password input case-sensitive
  • Fix FaceID authentication to be more robust
  • Allow login to servers without passwords
  • Add option to place connection shortcuts on the main screen
  • Support background mode for persistent connections
  • Improve handling of symbolic links
  • Add Agent SSH functionality
  • Allow storage of multiple named keys
  • Make app protected by FaceID/TouchID on launch
  • Access iOS password manager for SSH keys
  • Remove bottom keyboard bar
  • Improve handling of external keyboard shortcuts
  • Add a way to cancel connections more clearly
  • Make the main screen less blank and improve 'connect' button placement for single-handed use

ShellBean

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Secure Terminal

One-time1
  • PRO FEATURE$4.99
5 purchases

ShellBean

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$7.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime$19.99
  • Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is Secure Terminal free?
Secure Terminal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShellBean free?
ShellBean is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Secure Terminal or ShellBean?
Secure Terminal is rated higher. Secure Terminal averages 4.5 out of 5 from 63 ratings, while ShellBean averages 4.1 from 15 ratings.
Do Secure Terminal or ShellBean have ads?
Neither Secure Terminal nor ShellBean shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Secure Terminal or ShellBean?
Secure Terminal ships an update every 3 weeks, and ShellBean weekly. Most recently, Secure Terminal was updated on October 26, 2026 and ShellBean on October 27, 2026.

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