# ShellBean vs XTerm

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: XTerm at none against ShellBean's 5. XTerm also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16). ShellBean's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ShellBean sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. XTerm asks for nothing beyond the download.

ShellBean ships an update every 6 days, XTerm monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShellBean | XTerm |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellbean-ai-ssh-client/id1504613231/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **15** | — |
| Positive reviews | 86.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 157 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [北京如电科技有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/1432455619) | [Fuentech Company Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1598287434) |

## What reviewers say

### ShellBean

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellbean-ai-ssh-client/id1504613231)

A powerful SSH and SFTP client with integrated monitoring and scripting automation for efficient Linux server management. Offers advanced terminal features, file editing, and secure data synchronization.

**Highlights:** AI-enhanced SSH/SFTP client, Server monitoring tools, Scripting automation, Built-in text editor, Multi-level jump server login, SFTP file management, iCloud data synchronization

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $7.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |


### XTerm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xterm-ssh-terminal-client/id6780828252)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShellBean free?

ShellBean is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is XTerm free?

XTerm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do ShellBean or XTerm have ads?

XTerm shows ads; ShellBean does not.

### Which is updated more often, ShellBean or XTerm?

ShellBean ships an update every 6 days, and XTerm monthly. Most recently, ShellBean was updated on September 26, 2026 and XTerm on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*