Node.js Lab vs shellin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Node.js Lab
Develop and run Node.js web applications directly on your iOS device, even offline. This app includes a full Node.js environment with NPM, a script editor, and debugging tools. It also functions as a standalone web application and offers extensive file management capabilities.
- Offline Node.js environment
- Integrated Git client
- Multi-tabbed script editor
- NPM support
- Standalone web app functionality
- Remote file management
- Offline documentation
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Full-fledged Node.js on iOS with NPM support. Build, modify, run and debug web applications using NodeJS and Webkit on your iOS device or any other device on the same network. Nodejs Lab also turns your device into a complete standalone web application with nodejs support to run on startup (similar to nw.js). App features: - Full Node.js without internet connection - Git client - Script editor - html/js/css/json beautifiers in script editor - Auto-Complete - Image editor - Multi-tabbed script/image editor - NPM - Panel to capture console.log, .warn, .error - Supports in-app browser / in-app Safari - Multi-tabbed file manager - Set as standalone web application (similar to nw.js) - Remote file manager (access app's files from another device) - FTP/SFTP/FTPS/iCloud managers - phpLiteAdmin to edit sqlite files - Firebug Lite - Syntax validator for HTML, JS & CSS - Offline Node.js documentation - Enable/Disable sharing with Files app - Split screen on iPad - Multitasking on iPad Note: nodejs Lab doesn't support c++ addons For more information & inquiries please contact me through nodejs Lab's website or contact form inside the app.
shellin
Access and control your Mac terminal from your iPhone or iPad. Monitor AI coding agents, run commands, and stay connected to your workflow remotely via an encrypted peer-to-peer connection.
- View Mac terminal live on iPhone/iPad
- Monitor AI coding agents remotely
- Real-time interaction with keyboard input
- Connect without SSH setup
- End-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer session
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shellin lets you view and interact with your Mac terminal from iPhone or iPad. Run the shellin CLI on your Mac, open the iOS app, and your terminal appears live over an encrypted peer-to-peer connection. Whether you are running Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, or a long command in Terminal, shellin helps you stay connected when you step away from your desk. Check progress, approve actions, and send commands right from your phone or tablet. An active shellin subscription is required to connect to your Mac from the iOS app. Why shellin • View your Mac terminal live from iPhone or iPad • Monitor AI coding agents while you are away • Interact in real time with keyboard input and terminal output • Connect without SSH setup, port forwarding, or firewall changes • End-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer session How it works 1. Install the shellin app on iPhone or iPad 2. Choose and activate a shellin subscription in the app 3. Install the shellin CLI on your Mac 4. Sign in with a one-time key 5. Run shellin in the terminal you want to access 6. Open the app and connect to your live session shellin is built for people who want lightweight remote access to an existing Mac terminal session, especially when monitoring AI-assisted workflows on the go. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy Policy: https://shellin.dev/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: shellin at 5.0 against Node.js Lab's 3.9. shellin also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 weeks). Node.js Lab's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (24 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases 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. Node.js Lab sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and shellin sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
shellin holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Node.js Lab has 24 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Node.js Lab ships an update every 5 weeks, shellin every 10 days. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.
| Parameter | Node.js Lab | shellin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (24 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #180 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 154 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Firas Moussa | Joonhyung Cho |
Customer experience
Node.js Lab
shellin
In-app purchases
Node.js Lab
- Unlock all features$4.99
- Standalone Web Application$9.99
shellin
- Shellin Lite7 Days trial$0.997 Days
- Shellin Pro$8.991 Month









