Comparison

Node.js Lab vs shellin

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Offline Node.js environment
  • Integrated Git client
  • Multi-tabbed script editor
  • NPM support
  • Standalone web app functionality
  • Remote file management
  • Offline documentation
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Node.js Lab4 screens
shellin4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Node.js Lab ships an update every 5 weeks, shellin every 10 days. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Node.js Lab versus shellin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNode.js Labshellin
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (24 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings24 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#180 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size154 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFiras MoussaJoonhyung Cho

Customer experience

Node.js Lab

All ratings24 ratings
Positive70.8%
Neutral12.5%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral9.4%
Negative28.1%

shellin

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Node.js Lab

One-time2
  • Unlock all features$4.99
  • Standalone Web Application$9.99
2 purchases

shellin

Subscriptions2
  • Shellin Lite7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Shellin Pro$8.991 Month

Questions

Is Node.js Lab free?
Node.js Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is shellin free?
shellin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Node.js Lab or shellin?
shellin is rated higher. Node.js Lab averages 3.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while shellin averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Node.js Lab or shellin have ads?
Node.js Lab shows ads; shellin does not.
Which is updated more often, Node.js Lab or shellin?
Node.js Lab ships an update every 5 weeks, and shellin every 10 days. Most recently, Node.js Lab was updated on September 21, 2026 and shellin on September 21, 2026.

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