Comparison

PortX vs XCTL

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

Head to head
About

PortX

Access and manage remote systems on your mobile device with this powerful SSH client. It offers multi-session support, intuitive session management, and an advanced keyboard for efficient command input. Customize appearance and enjoy an ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • Multi-session support
  • Intuitive session management
  • Multi-line compose bar
  • Advanced keyboard with special characters
  • Multiple authentication types
  • Customizable appearance
Features
Read full description

****** Please switch to our new app, Xcasca. This app will be deprecated soon. ****** Xcasca, the new version of PortX, is now available! This current app will soon be deprecated, so please install Xcasca to continue. You can install Xcasca from the link below. https://apps.apple.com/app/xcasca-ssh-sftp-client/id6749602189 --------------------------------------------------------------- PortX Mobile brings the power of our desktop SSH Client to your mobile device (SFTP is currently available on the Desktop version only, but will be supported on Mobile soon). With a wide variety of features in a lightweight package, PortX Mobile allows you to access and manage remotes systems on-the-go through an intuitive user interface. PortX Mobile Features: ◦ Multi-Session Support. Have multiple connections open at once. Access to any of your sessions a just a finger-swipe or click away. ◦ Intuitive Session Management. Organize and edit your sessions with PortX’s session management. ◦ Compose Bar. The multi-line Compose Bar allows you to type out, edit, and review your string before sending. ◦ Advance Keyboard. Quick access to all special characters for whatever the situation calls for. ◦ Multiple Authentication Types. Password, Public Key, and Keyboard Interactive authentication support. ◦ Customizations. Modify appearance, font, and colors. ◦ Ad-Free ◦ More features coming soon. ◦ Desktop version also available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. PortX redefines how you interact with a mobile SSH Client. On-the-go session management has never been easier.

About

XCTL

Features
Read full description

XCTL is the official mobile console for operators who manage their own XCTL deployment. Instead of opening a desktop browser, you can run day-to-day operations and monitoring from your iPhone or iPad. WHO IT’S FOR • Platform administrators with an existing XCTL instance • Teams that need on-the-go visibility into hosts, nodes, and sync jobs • Tenant admins managing users, groups, and business configuration This app is an administration tool only. It does not provide proxy or VPN client functionality. You must have a reachable XCTL console URL and a valid administrator account. OVERVIEW & MONITORING • Dashboard with live platform and host health metrics • Traffic and bandwidth charts to track resource usage over time • Quick visibility into online status, heartbeats, and recent activity NETWORK MANAGEMENT • Logical nodes: create, edit, and bind hosts • Node groups for organizing your infrastructure • Protocol templates and protocol catalog • Config sync queue to track pending and completed pushes HOST OPERATIONS • Server list with status, heartbeat, and connectivity monitoring • Guided provisioning: SSH pre-check, remote install, and configuration • Host groups for batch organization • SSH credentials and certificate management • Online Client upgrades and remote maintenance actions BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION • Tenants, users, and user groups • Role-based access so each account sees only permitted modules SYSTEM & SECURITY • Audit logs and system events • Platform settings and personal account management • Connect via QR scan or manual URL entry • Switch between multiple saved console endpoints • Light and dark appearance, with system-wide or manual theme • English and Simplified Chinese interface PRIVACY & SECURITY Sign-in credentials are stored in the system secure enclave (Keychain). App preferences remain on your device. The app does not collect personal data unrelated to your Master connection. REQUIREMENTS • A self-hosted or privately operated XCTL Master console • Network access to your Master endpoint • Administrator credentials issued by your platform SUPPORT Official website: https://xctl.cc For account or deployment questions, contact your platform administrator or visit the website above.

Screenshots

PortX4 screens
XCTL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: PortX at 12.0 against XCTL's 15.1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PortX ships an update monthly, XCTL every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PortX versus XCTL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPortXXCTL
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (19 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB32 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperNetSarang Computer, Inc.SmartBuildGo Inc

In-app purchases

None

PortX

No in-app purchases

None

XCTL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PortX free?
PortX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is XCTL free?
XCTL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PortX or XCTL have ads?
Neither PortX nor XCTL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PortX or XCTL?
PortX ships an update monthly, and XCTL every 2 months. Most recently, PortX was updated on October 9, 2026 and XCTL on October 6, 2026.

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