Comparison

Secure Terminal vs TeX Go

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

TeX Go

Features
Read full description

TeX Go is a LaTeX editor for iPhone and iPad, built for writing, editing, compiling, and previewing documents wherever you are. Use it for equations, notes, reports, papers, and technical documents. TeX Go keeps the writing experience focused, with a clean editor, quick access to PDF preview, and tools that help you move smoothly from source to output. You can work with files stored on your device or in cloud storage, start from templates, and use editing support such as automatic bracket and command completion. TeX Go also supports local compilation, so many projects can be built directly on your device. Additional TeX packages can be imported when a project needs them, making it easier to keep working even without a remote build environment. Key Features • Clean LaTeX editing environment • Local compilation for supported documents • Fast switching between source and PDF preview • Auto-completion for brackets and commands • Document creation from templates • Editing for local and cloud-based files • Background compilation with completion notifications • Build logs designed to make errors easier to understand Whether you are studying, researching, drafting a paper, or polishing a technical document, TeX Go gives you a practical LaTeX workspace on iOS.

Screenshots

Secure Terminal4 screens
TeX Go3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Secure Terminal at Free against TeX Go's $4.99. Secure Terminal also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.6). TeX Go's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On ads and device support 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

Secure Terminal is free to download; TeX Go costs $4.99 up front. Secure Terminal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TeX Go asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Secure Terminal ships an update every 3 weeks, TeX Go every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Secure Terminal versus TeX Go: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecure TerminalTeX Go
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.5 (62 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings62 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size195 MB188 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilippo MaguoloHikaru Matsuda

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

TeX Go

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Secure Terminal

One-time1
  • PRO FEATURE$4.99
None

TeX Go

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Secure Terminal free?
Secure Terminal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TeX Go free?
TeX Go costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Secure Terminal or TeX Go have ads?
Neither Secure Terminal nor TeX Go shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Secure Terminal or TeX Go?
Secure Terminal ships an update every 3 weeks, and TeX Go every 4 days. Most recently, Secure Terminal was updated on October 19, 2026 and TeX Go on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons