Secure Terminal vs Source Files
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- SSH & Telnet connection
- Password & key authentication
- SFTP file transfer
- xterm-256color emulation
- Key generation
- Port forwarding
- Customizable terminal
Read full descriptionHide 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)
Source Files
Access GitHub, Gitea, GitLab, and BitBucket directly from your file manager without cloning. Edit large repositories in seconds using REST APIs, with support for automation and file uploads. Offers a free tier for single servers and a Pro Unlock for multiple servers.
- Direct file access via Finder/Files app
- Edit files in favorite apps
- REST API for fast access
- Supports GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, BitBucket
- Shortcuts automation support
- File uploads via services menu
Read full descriptionHide full description
Source Files is a faster way to access GitHub, Gitea, GitLab and BitBucket from the Finder and Files app without having to clone repositories or commit changes. Using REST APIs instead of the traditional Git protocol you will be editing files in even the largest repositories in seconds: • Drag a repository URL to the Files app • Browse the directory that immediately appears • Open and Edit files in your favorite app Source Files is file oriented and making edits to 3 different files will result in 3 commits. It is possible to configure the app to work in a branch where a messy commit history is acceptable and merge changes back using pull requests. Consider using traditional Git clients like Working Copy or Tower for projects that need a tidy commit history in all branches. There is rich support for automation with Shortcuts actions to List, Download, Upload and Move files. Uploading files from the Mac services menu and share sheet is supported and very fast as target directories are remembered for different file types. The app is free to use with a single server. A Pro Unlock is required for multiple servers, available as a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription, with access shared across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A one-week free trial allows users to evaluate Pro features before purchase. Source Files is restricted by GitHub, GitLab and BitBucket API quotas that depend on your account privileges.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Source Files at weekly against Secure Terminal's every 3 weeks. Secure Terminal's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 75%) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.2). 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
Both are free to download. Secure Terminal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Source Files sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Secure Terminal against 4.4 for Source Files. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 62 and 30 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Secure Terminal's written reviews are positive against 75% of Source Files's.
Secure Terminal ships an update every 3 weeks, Source Files weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Secure Terminal | Source Files |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (62 ratings) — better | 4.4 (30 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.9% of reviews — better | 75.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 62 — better | 30 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 195 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Filippo Maguolo | Anders Borum ApS |
Customer experience
Secure Terminal
Source Files
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Source Files
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Secure Terminal
- PRO FEATURE$4.99
Source Files
- Source Files Monthly7 Days trial$2.491 Month
- Lifetime Source Pro$23.99
- Lifetime Source Pro$24.99
Questions
Is Secure Terminal free?
Is Source Files free?
Which has better reviews, Secure Terminal or Source Files?
Do Secure Terminal or Source Files have ads?
Which is updated more often, Secure Terminal or Source Files?
Other comparisons
