a vs ReleaseDeck Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
a
Run a full Unix-like terminal environment on your iOS device. Execute a wide range of commands, edit files, and even program using included interpreters and compilers. Supports multitasking and integration with Shortcuts.
- Local Unix terminal emulator
- SSH client
- File transfer (scp, curl)
- Text editing (vim, ed)
- Scripting languages (Python, Lua, Perl, JS)
- C/C++ compiler
- TeX distribution
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a-Shell is a complete local terminal emulator, allowing to run most Unix commands on your iOS device. You can transfer files using scp and curl, edit them with vim and ed, process them using grep, awk and sed. You can work with git repositories using lg2. Most commands are compiled for iOS native Arm64 format, making them fast and well integrated with the BSD Unix that powers iOS/iPadOS. a-Shell includes Python, Lua, Perl, JavaScript, C, C++ for programming and TeX (texlive 2025, with Tikz and LuaTeX) for text processing. There are also multiple network utilities: nslookup, ping, whois, ifconfig... Type help for help, help -l to get the full list of commands. a-Shell can be controlled from Shortcuts: run commands in order, process files in a-Shell, get the results as text or files, transfer files to other apps... a-shell uses iOS 13+ “multiple windows” ability, so you can run multiple shells at the same time, with different commands, in different directories. You can edit a file in one window with vim and process it in the other with python. Compile your C or C++ programs to webAssembly using clang or clang++, and execute the resulting binary. A complete webAssembly SDK is included (WASI-libc). a-Shell is the complete version. If you need a smaller app, and you don't need a C compiler, a TeX engine, or numpy and matplotlib, there is a-Shell mini.
ReleaseDeck Pro
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Take control of every app release. ReleaseDeck Pro brings your App Store Connect workflow into one focused, native workspace for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. See what is live, what is in review, what needs attention, and what changed—without jumping between pages. ONE PORTFOLIO, EVERY PLATFORM • See apps and platform versions for iOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS • Distinguish the version currently on the store from an update in progress • Track version status, builds, TestFlight groups, Xcode Cloud runs, and review feedback • Identify removed apps, expiring beta builds, failed cloud builds, and release blockers INSIGHTS THAT STAY USEFUL • Explore sales, downloads, proceeds, impressions, product page views, sessions, and active devices • Switch between portfolio-wide and per-app trends • Compare flexible presets or choose your own date range • Keep recent account data available through a local offline cache PREPARE AND MANAGE YOUR STORE PRESENCE • Review and edit app names, subtitles, descriptions, keywords, promotional text, “What’s New,” URLs, release settings, and App Review information • Work with localizations, screenshots, In-App Purchases, subscription groups, plans, prices, introductory offers, and Custom Product Pages • Stage metadata changes locally before sending them to App Store Connect • Use the Release Cockpit to bring builds, metadata, review information, and release readiness together SCREENSHOTS, WITHOUT ANOTHER TOOL Turn iPhone, iPad, or Mac captures into polished App Store images. Add headlines, backgrounds, device or Mac window frames, and optional two-image panoramas. Export PNG files locally or upload them when write access is enabled. SAFE BY DEFAULT ReleaseDeck Pro connects directly to Apple’s official App Store Connect API. Your API key is stored in the system Keychain, short-lived authentication tokens are created on your device, and there is no ReleaseDeck intermediary server. The global read-only mode starts enabled and centrally blocks every modifying request until you deliberately turn it off. Destructive and publishing-related actions require an additional confirmation. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No advertising. No trackers. No third-party analytics SDK. Your account data is processed locally and is never sold. TRY IT WITHOUT AN ACCOUNT Explore the complete interface with realistic local demo data. The demo requires no App Store Connect credentials and makes no network changes. The free version includes the demo, account connection, the 30-day dashboard, app and platform overview, version status, and security settings. Advanced workflows are available with an optional monthly or yearly subscription or a one-time Lifetime purchase. ReleaseDeck Pro is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: a at none against ReleaseDeck Pro's 3. a also leads on chart position (#18 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, 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
Both are free to download. ReleaseDeck Pro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. a asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | a | ReleaseDeck Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (553 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 78.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 553 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #18 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.9 GB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nicolas Holzschuch | Michael Caklec |
Bugs and requests
a
Reported bugs
3 issues- Toolbar buttons not accessible in portrait mode on some devices
- Pasting from clipboard can insert unexpected characters
- Sourcing certain script files causes crashes
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for package managers like Homebrew or APT
- Implement more advanced shell features like job control and better tab completion
- Integrate Git for version control
- Allow installing additional packages and libraries
- Improve clipboard and file management integration
ReleaseDeck Pro
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
a
No in-app purchases
ReleaseDeck Pro
- ReleaseDeck Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
- ReleaseDeck Pro Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year
- ReleaseDeck Pro$17.99









