# ServerBox vs NovaScale, Built for Tailscale

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ServerBox at none against NovaScale, Built for Tailscale's 3. ServerBox also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (93 vs 9). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NovaScale, Built for Tailscale sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. ServerBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ServerBox against 5.0 for NovaScale, Built for Tailscale. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ServerBox has 93 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of ServerBox's written reviews are positive against 83% of NovaScale, Built for Tailscale's.

ServerBox ships an update fortnightly, NovaScale, Built for Tailscale every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ServerBox | NovaScale, Built for Tailscale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (93 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/serverbox/id1586449703/reviews) | **[5.0 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novascale-built-for-tailscale/id6749938291/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **93** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | **91.3% of reviews** | 83.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 115 MB | 114 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [吐司工作室](https://appshunter.io/developer/1483085362) | [GalaxNet Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1691109635) |

## What reviewers say

### ServerBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/serverbox/id1586449703)

Manage your Linux servers remotely with SSH and SFTP. Control Docker containers and utilize experimental snippet features. Ping your servers to check connectivity.

**Highlights:** SSH client, SFTP client, Docker/Podman management, Snippet feature (experimental), Ping utility, Open Source

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Incredible value for free
- 🚀 Powerful and comprehensive features
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Open source and actively developed
- ✨ Great for managing servers and Docker

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 UI changes in v1719
- 🐛 Unit display errors (GB/MB)
- 🐛 Performance issues after updates
- 🐛 Face ID issues on startup
- 🐛 Difficulty reconnecting after lost connection

**Reported bugs**

- Server list disk tab unit error (GB displayed as MB, TB as GB)
- App crashes on iPhone 8plus iOS16.X
- App becomes laggy and unresponsive after update
- Adjusting order requires app restart
- App crashes on iOS 12

**Requested features**

- Option to revert to old network/disk tab display
- Fix unit display errors in disk tab
- Support for iPhone 8plus iOS16.X
- Support for iOS 12 crash
- Support for 2FA login on serv00


### NovaScale, Built for Tailscale

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novascale-built-for-tailscale/id6749938291)

This app provides a secure and powerful SSH terminal, file management, and a MagicDNS-aware browser for your Tailscale network. It streamlines server management without needing to switch VPN apps, offering features like real-time monitoring and an integrated editor.

**Highlights:** Secure SSH terminal for Tailscale, SFTP file management with built-in editor, MagicDNS-aware browser for internal dashboards, Real-time Linux server monitoring, Multi-tab sessions and customizable themes, Resume SSH sessions after app suspension

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NovaScale Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| NovaScale Pro Annual | $14.99 | per year |
| NovaScale Pro Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ServerBox free?

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

### Is NovaScale, Built for Tailscale free?

NovaScale, Built for Tailscale is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ServerBox or NovaScale, Built for Tailscale?

NovaScale, Built for Tailscale is rated higher. ServerBox averages 4.9 out of 5 from 93 ratings, while NovaScale, Built for Tailscale averages 5.0 from 9 ratings.

### Do ServerBox or NovaScale, Built for Tailscale have ads?

Neither ServerBox nor NovaScale, Built for Tailscale shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ServerBox or NovaScale, Built for Tailscale?

ServerBox ships an update fortnightly, and NovaScale, Built for Tailscale every 2 months. Most recently, ServerBox was updated on October 25, 2026 and NovaScale, Built for Tailscale on October 24, 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.*