Comparison

Secure Terminal vs SwiftTermApp

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

SwiftTermApp

This app provides a high-fidelity terminal emulator with advanced Unicode support. It allows secure SSH connections using keys stored in the device's secure enclave and features animated backgrounds.

Highlights
  • Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulation
  • Unicode and international character support
  • Secure SSH key generation and storage
  • Animated background shaders
  • Remote system login
Features
Read full description

SwiftTerm is a comprehensive Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulator blending both high fidelity terminal emulation capabilities with the Unicode and international needs of modern users. SwiftTerm supports creating SSH keys that are stored on the secure enclave and can be used to log into remote systems securely from your phone. Additionally, Metal shaders provide for fun animated backgrounds for all your terminal needs.

Screenshots

Secure Terminal4 screens
SwiftTermApp2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SwiftTermApp at 5.0 against Secure Terminal's 4.5. SwiftTermApp also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (100% vs 86%). Secure Terminal's advantage is ratings volume (62 vs 4). On price, ads, device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Secure Terminal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SwiftTermApp asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SwiftTermApp holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Secure Terminal has 62 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Secure Terminal's written reviews are positive against 100% of SwiftTermApp's.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Secure Terminal versus SwiftTermApp: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecure TerminalSwiftTermApp
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (62 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings62 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size195 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilippo MaguoloMIguel de Icaza

Customer experience

Secure Terminal

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

SwiftTermApp

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

SwiftTermApp

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Secure Terminal

One-time1
  • PRO FEATURE$4.99
None

SwiftTermApp

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Secure Terminal free?
Secure Terminal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SwiftTermApp free?
SwiftTermApp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Secure Terminal or SwiftTermApp?
SwiftTermApp is rated higher. Secure Terminal averages 4.5 out of 5 from 62 ratings, while SwiftTermApp averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Secure Terminal or SwiftTermApp have ads?
Neither Secure Terminal nor SwiftTermApp shows ads.

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