Comparison

Simple Shell vs Xermius

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simple Shell

This utility app offers a secure and efficient SSH client for iOS devices. It provides a cost-effective alternative for remote terminal access, based on an open-source project.

Highlights
  • SSH client functionality
  • Mosh protocol support
  • Remote terminal access
  • Cost-effective alternative
  • iOS compatibility
Features
Read full description

This project is a clone of shell application for iOS by Nicolas Holzschuch, https://github.com/holzschu/blink It is created to provide lower cost version of the ssh client for iPhone and iPad with older iOS versions

About

Xermius

Read full description

Xermius is a professional SSH terminal manager built for system administrators, DevOps engineers, and developers who need powerful server access on the go. FULL SSH TERMINAL • Complete terminal emulation with full keyboard support • Multi-tab sessions — work on multiple servers simultaneously • Split view — divide your screen into multiple terminal panes • Workspace — save and restore your session layouts • Broadcast mode — send commands to multiple servers at once • Custom keyboard toolbar with Ctrl, Alt, Tab, Esc, and arrow keys • Terminal search and command history • Multiple color schemes and font customization (JetBrains Mono, Fira Code, Source Code Pro, Cascadia Code) SECURE AUTHENTICATION • Password and SSH key authentication (RSA, Ed25519, ECDSA) • Built-in SSH key generator — create keys directly in the app • Deploy keys to your servers with one tap • Known host verification for fingerprint validation • Biometric unlock with Face ID / Touch ID • Master password encryption for all credentials • Two-factor OTP authentication FILE MANAGEMENT • Multi-protocol support: SFTP, FTP, and S3 (MinIO) • Transfer files between servers (cross-host transfer) • Built-in text editor for quick file edits • File operations: rename, delete, chmod, compress • Bookmarks for frequently used directories • Bandwidth monitoring and transfer conflict resolution HOST MANAGEMENT • Unlimited hosts with groups and categories • Import/Export host configurations • Search, filter, and sort your server list • Tags and comments for organization • Connection status indicators • Pin your most-used hosts for quick access COMMAND SNIPPETS • Save and reuse frequently used commands • Variable support for dynamic snippets • Execute snippets across multiple servers simultaneously • Quick-access buttons from the terminal MONITORING & TOOLS • Real-time server monitoring (CPU, RAM, Disk) • SSL certificate checker • Port forwarding (local and remote) • Tmux session management • Activity logs and security event logging SYNC & CLOUD • Sync hosts, snippets, and keys across devices via GitHub • Backend sync with automatic conflict resolution • Push notifications from your servers AI-POWERED • AI chat assistant for server management help • Intelligent command suggestions based on context PLATFORM FEATURES • iOS Home Screen widgets for server monitoring • Live Activities for active session tracking • Push and local notifications Whether you manage a single VPS or hundreds of production servers, Xermius gives you the tools you need — right from your iPhone or iPad. XERMIUS PRO SUBSCRIPTION Xermius Pro is available through auto-renewable monthly ($4.99/month) or annual ($49.99/year) subscriptions. Pro unlocks cloud sync across devices, GitHub repository sync, advanced autocomplete, session logs, priority support, cross-host file transfer, and advanced web tools. A subscription may be used for both personal and business purposes. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription will renew automatically. Cancellation of a future subscription may be made up to 24 hours before the end of the current period. The actual subscription may not be manually canceled before its termination date. Subscriptions may be managed, including disabling auto-renewal, in the Account Settings after purchase. Please review our privacy policy https://xermius.com/privacy-policy and terms of use https://xermius.com/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Simple Shell4 screens
Xermius4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Xermius at Free against Simple Shell's $1.99. Xermius also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 40 months). Simple Shell's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On 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

Xermius is free to download; Simple Shell costs $1.99 up front. Xermius sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Simple Shell asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple Shell ships an update every 40 months, Xermius every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Simple Shell versus Xermius: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple ShellXermius
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 40 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperASHER SYEDLuong Van Duc

In-app purchases

None

Simple Shell

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Xermius

Subscriptions2
  • Xermius Pro (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • Xermius Pro (Annual)$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Simple Shell free?
Simple Shell costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Xermius free?
Xermius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Simple Shell or Xermius have ads?
Neither Simple Shell nor Xermius shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simple Shell or Xermius?
Simple Shell ships an update every 40 months, and Xermius every 5 days. Most recently, Simple Shell was updated on October 16, 2026 and Xermius on October 3, 2026.

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