Comparison

Secure Terminal vs PortX

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 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

PortX

Access and manage remote systems on your mobile device with this powerful SSH client. It offers multi-session support, intuitive session management, and an advanced keyboard for efficient command input. Customize appearance and enjoy an ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • Multi-session support
  • Intuitive session management
  • Multi-line compose bar
  • Advanced keyboard with special characters
  • Multiple authentication types
  • Customizable appearance
Features
Read full description

****** Please switch to our new app, Xcasca. This app will be deprecated soon. ****** Xcasca, the new version of PortX, is now available! This current app will soon be deprecated, so please install Xcasca to continue. You can install Xcasca from the link below. https://apps.apple.com/app/xcasca-ssh-sftp-client/id6749602189 --------------------------------------------------------------- PortX Mobile brings the power of our desktop SSH Client to your mobile device (SFTP is currently available on the Desktop version only, but will be supported on Mobile soon). With a wide variety of features in a lightweight package, PortX Mobile allows you to access and manage remotes systems on-the-go through an intuitive user interface. PortX Mobile Features: ◦ Multi-Session Support. Have multiple connections open at once. Access to any of your sessions a just a finger-swipe or click away. ◦ Intuitive Session Management. Organize and edit your sessions with PortX’s session management. ◦ Compose Bar. The multi-line Compose Bar allows you to type out, edit, and review your string before sending. ◦ Advance Keyboard. Quick access to all special characters for whatever the situation calls for. ◦ Multiple Authentication Types. Password, Public Key, and Keyboard Interactive authentication support. ◦ Customizations. Modify appearance, font, and colors. ◦ Ad-Free ◦ More features coming soon. ◦ Desktop version also available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. PortX redefines how you interact with a mobile SSH Client. On-the-go session management has never been easier.

Screenshots

Secure Terminal4 screens
PortX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Secure Terminal at 4.5 against PortX's 3.7. Secure Terminal also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 73%) and ratings volume (62 vs 19). PortX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence 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. Secure Terminal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PortX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Secure Terminal holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 62 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Secure Terminal's written reviews are positive against 73% of PortX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Secure Terminal ships an update every 3 weeks, PortX monthly. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Secure Terminal versus PortX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecure TerminalPortX
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (62 ratings) — better3.7 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews85.9% of reviews — better72.5% of reviews
Number of ratings62 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size195 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilippo MaguoloNetSarang Computer, Inc.

Customer experience

Secure Terminal

All ratings62 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive85.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative11.5%

PortX

All ratings19 ratings
Positive63.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative31.6%
Written reviews120 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative15.0%

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

PortX

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Secure Terminal

One-time1
  • PRO FEATURE$4.99
None

PortX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Secure Terminal free?
Secure Terminal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PortX free?
PortX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Secure Terminal or PortX?
Secure Terminal is rated higher. Secure Terminal averages 4.5 out of 5 from 62 ratings, while PortX averages 3.7 from 19 ratings.
Do Secure Terminal or PortX have ads?
Neither Secure Terminal nor PortX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Secure Terminal or PortX?
Secure Terminal ships an update every 3 weeks, and PortX monthly. Most recently, Secure Terminal was updated on October 16, 2026 and PortX on October 16, 2026.

Other comparisons