Comparison

SwiftTermApp vs Tempest 3

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

Head to head
About

SwiftTermApp

This app provides a high-fidelity terminal emulator with advanced Unicode support. It allows secure SSH connections using keys stored in the device's secure enclave and features animated backgrounds.

Highlights
  • Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulation
  • Unicode and international character support
  • Secure SSH key generation and storage
  • Animated background shaders
  • Remote system login
Features
Read full description

SwiftTerm is a comprehensive Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulator blending both high fidelity terminal emulation capabilities with the Unicode and international needs of modern users. SwiftTerm supports creating SSH keys that are stored on the secure enclave and can be used to log into remote systems securely from your phone. Additionally, Metal shaders provide for fun animated backgrounds for all your terminal needs.

About

Tempest 3

This cross-platform client offers robust server management with AI assistance for diagnostics and task completion. Securely connect, edit files, and synchronize workflows across devices with advanced encryption and collaboration features.

Highlights
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Cloud synchronization
  • Advanced security with end-to-end encryption
  • AI Copilot for server tasks
  • Comprehensive SSH/SFTP support
  • Server and Kubernetes management
  • Collaboration and sharing features
Features
Read full description

Tempest is the SSH and Remote Desktop client built for people who actually manage servers. Connect via SSH, SFTP, or Mosh. Forward ports. Transfer files. Manage Kubernetes clusters. Collaborate in real-time. All from your phone, tablet, or Mac — with end-to-end encrypted cloud sync across every device. CORE FEATURES • SSH & Mosh — Reliable connections, even on flaky networks. Mosh keeps your session alive where SSH drops. • SFTP File Manager — Browse, edit, and transfer remote files with a native file manager experience. • Port Forwarding — Set up local and remote SSH tunnels in seconds. • Storm AI (Pro) — An AI agent that plans, executes, and completes terminal tasks for you. Not a chatbot — a copilot that actually runs commands. • Real-Time Collaboration — Invite teammates into your live terminal session. Debug together, resolve faster. • Kubernetes — Sync kubeconfigs, switch clusters, manage pods with AI-assisted workflows. • Post-Quantum Cryptography — One-tap switch to PQC key exchange. Protect your connections against future quantum threats today. • Connection Multiplexing — Reuse TCP connections. New sessions open instantly as additional channels. • Hardware Security Keys — FIDO2 / YubiKey authentication via ed25519-sk and ecdsa-sk. • 1Password Integration — Pull credentials directly from your vault. SECURITY FIRST Zero-knowledge architecture. Your data is end-to-end encrypted before it ever leaves your device. Encryption keys stay on your device — we never see them. Encryption is fully open-sourced for transparency. SYNC EVERYTHING Sessions, keys, snippets, and configurations sync across major OS. Pick up exactly where you left off. PRO UNLOCKS • Background connection persistence • Biometric app lock • Server performance monitoring dashboard • Full Storm AI access • Cloud sync --- Tempest is built by engineers, for engineers. Questions? Join us on Discord: gotempest.app/discord

Screenshots

SwiftTermApp2 screens
Tempest 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SwiftTermApp at none against Tempest 3's 3. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Tempest 3 sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. SwiftTermApp asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for SwiftTermApp against 5.0 for Tempest 3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 10 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SwiftTermApp versus Tempest 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwiftTermAppTempest 3
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings410 — better
Update frequency—Every 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB178 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperMIguel de IcazaAtlas Express LLC

Customer experience

SwiftTermApp

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Tempest 3

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SwiftTermApp

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Tempest 3

Subscriptions2
  • Tempest Pro - Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Tempest Pro - Yearly3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Tempest Pro Lifetime$179.99

Questions

Is SwiftTermApp free?
SwiftTermApp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tempest 3 free?
Tempest 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SwiftTermApp or Tempest 3?
SwiftTermApp and Tempest 3 are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 10 ratings respectively.
Do SwiftTermApp or Tempest 3 have ads?
Neither SwiftTermApp nor Tempest 3 shows ads.

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