# MuffinTerm vs TERMinator

The clearest difference is monetization model: TERMinator at free against MuffinTerm's paid. TERMinator also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). MuffinTerm's advantage is review sentiment (93% vs 67%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

MuffinTerm holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of MuffinTerm's written reviews are positive against 67% of TERMinator's.

MuffinTerm ships an update every 3 weeks, TERMinator every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on July 6, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MuffinTerm | TERMinator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muffinterm/id1583236494/reviews)** | [4.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terminator-bbs-terminal/id6759012939/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **38** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **93.3% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 3 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Molly Black](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561283027) | [Phil Whittemore](https://appshunter.io/developer/1876379185) |

## What reviewers say

### MuffinTerm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muffinterm/id1583236494)

Relive the classic BBS experience with a modern terminal emulator. Connect to telnet-enabled BBSes worldwide and enjoy pixel-accurate retro display modes and aesthetic effects like simulated modem speed and CRT curvature. Upload and download files with classic protocols.

**Highlights:** Telnet BBS connection, Authentic retro display modes (CP437, PETSCII, ATASCII), Simulated modem speed, CRT curvature and scanlines, File transfer (XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM), Digital sticky notes for BBSes

**In-app purchases:** none


### TERMinator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terminator-bbs-terminal/id6759012939)

Connect to Bulletin Board Systems and SSH servers with a retro terminal client. Experience authentic CP437 ANSI art rendering, classic fonts, and ZMODEM file transfers. Manage your connections with a phonebook and quick connect options.

**Highlights:** Telnet and SSH connections, CP437/ANSI art rendering, Classic bitmap fonts, ZMODEM file transfer, Scrollback history, Phonebook management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MuffinTerm free?

MuffinTerm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TERMinator free?

TERMinator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MuffinTerm or TERMinator?

MuffinTerm is rated higher. MuffinTerm averages 4.9 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while TERMinator averages 4.5 from 8 ratings.

### Do MuffinTerm or TERMinator have ads?

Neither MuffinTerm nor TERMinator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MuffinTerm or TERMinator?

MuffinTerm ships an update every 3 weeks, and TERMinator every 8 days. Most recently, MuffinTerm was updated on July 6, 2026 and TERMinator on September 13, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*