Comparison

Blink Shell, Build & Code vs SteerCode

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

Head to head
About

Blink Shell, Build & Code

Transform your iOS device into a powerful terminal for coding and development. Leverage Mosh and SSH for stable, fast connections. Integrate with VS Code and manage your entire development workflow from your pocket.

Highlights
  • Mosh and SSH connections
  • VS Code integration (Blink Code)
  • Remote runtime creation (Blink Build)
  • Full SSH toolset
  • Hardware keyboard support
  • External display support
  • SFTP transfers
Features
Read full description

Do Blink! Transform your iOS device into a pro-grade terminal. Blink is the first professional, desktop-grade terminal for iOS that leverages the support of Mosh and SSH. Thus, we can guarantee stable connections, crazy-fast speeds, and full configurations. It can and should be your all-day-long tool.  **Start your 14-day free trial now!** But, Blink is much more. Now with Blink Code and Blink Build**, your entire development workflow fits in your pocket. What the Blink community is saying: “In some ways, I prefer my iPad / Blink / Digital Ocean setup to coding on my Mac“ - TheVerge "I have tried a number of terminals on iOS and this is really The One." - Twit.tv “Connections still come up when I get back to a client project after a weekend off.“ - The Sweet Setup “The way to use VS Code on the iPad” - programminglife.io What our users love the most from Blink Shell: - Mosh connections that even survive a device reboot. - Most complete SSH implementation on iOS. - Code command for VS Code integration. - Blazingly fast terminal and SFTP transfers. - Includes Pragmata Pro with ligatures. Blink Shell has a fully loaded SSH toolset: - SSH with PKI support: DSA, RSA, ECDSA & ED25519 keys. - Support for Secure Enclave Keys and Certificates. - Port forwarding with local, remote & dynamic tunnel support. - SOCKS5 proxy for a private VPN. - Agent Forwarding. - Complete SSH Config file support. - ControlMaster and pooled connections. - Files.app integration for SFTP remote hosts. - SFTP with copy-on-change. Blink has been the leading developer tool in the AppStore for +5 years, so there is a lot more: - External Display support. - Legendary Hardware Keyboard support, even remap shortcuts and keyboard codes. - Local & iCloud Blink Shell folders for Files.app access across devices. - Host sync over iCloud. - Link-files from other applications and work with them in Blink. - Cool themes and fonts, and install your own! - Smart Keys on SW Keyboard to navigate with touch. - FaceCam command to create tutorials and streams. - Bell notifications. - Supports multiple windows and multiple tabs. - Network & UNIX CLI tools, check our docs for more information. Blink Code integrates with VS Code: - Code on local projects, or seamlessly on remote machines. - Fully-loaded code editor. - A coding experience fitted to your device, that connects to VS Code for web, GitHub Codespaces, GitPod or your own VS Code server. Blink Build (Requires a $7.99/month subscription) Creates remote runtimes that can be accessed on all your devices. You can use Build in your day-to-day workflows whether you need to do development, DevOps or just play around with new tooling. Participate in our community, and don’t forget to leave us your feedback and your feature(s) requests. Enjoy! http://blink.sh http://twitter.com/blinkshell http://GitHub.com/blinksh Terms of Use: https://blink.sh/blink-gpl Privacy Policy: https://blink.sh/pp * Blink Code is not affiliated nor endorsed by Microsoft. ** Blink Build requires a separate subscription to make use of our Virtual Machines.

About

SteerCode

Build mobile apps, websites, and games using natural language. Describe your idea, and AI handles the coding. Share your creations instantly with a link.

Highlights
  • AI-powered app creation
  • No coding required
  • Instant sharing via links
  • Mobile-first design
  • Remix community projects
  • Rapid prototyping
Read full description

Create mobile apps and websites with AI, as easily as chatting with a friend! No coding required. SteerCode lets you effortlessly build mobile apps, websites and games using just your words. Simply describe your idea, and watch it turn into reality faster and easier than ever. Experience VIBE CODING - a revolutionary approach where you focus on describing what you want while AI handles all the technical implementation. Skip the complexity of traditional programming and dive straight into bringing your creative vision to life through natural conversation. NO CODING NEEDED SteerCode is designed for everyone, regardless of technical background. You don't need to learn programming languages, understand complex syntax, or spend months studying development tutorials. Simply chat with our AI in plain English. Describe what you want to build, and watch your ideas transform into fully functional apps and websites. SHARE YOUR APPS INSTANTLY Once you've built your app with SteerCode, sharing is effortless. Generate a shareable link that friends and family can use immediately, even if they don't have SteerCode installed! Send them the link and they get instant access to your app on their iPhone through App Clips. Your creations go live instantly, no technical setup, no waiting. MOBILE-FIRST CREATION Built specifically for mobile experiences. Create apps that feel native on phones - with touch gestures, mobile-optimized layouts, and smartphone-specific features. Perfect for apps you want to use on-the-go or share with others who primarily use mobile devices. GET INSPIRED AND START REMIXING Discover amazing projects created by the SteerCode community and make them your own! Browse through public apps and websites built by other users, then remix and customize them to fit your vision. Found a game you love but want different characters? A website template that's almost perfect but needs your personal touch? Simply take any public project as your starting point and chat with AI to modify, enhance, or completely transform it. It's like having endless inspiration and a head start on every project. LIGHTNING FAST DEVELOPMENT What used to take weeks or months now happens in minutes. SteerCode eliminates the traditional development cycle of planning, coding, testing, and debugging. Instead, you describe your vision, and our AI instantly generates working prototypes that you can refine through continued conversation. Make changes, add features, or completely pivot your design with just a few messages. Perfect for: • Rapid prototyping • Passion projects you've been putting off • App ideas you discussed over coffee • Tools that streamline your workflow • Creative visions brought to life ------ It's like having your own dedicated software development team, available 24/7—just type what you want and see it built in real-time. Perfect for beginners ready to turn their ideas into reality, as well as experienced creators looking to speed up their workflow. Start chatting and watch your next big idea come to life, directly from your phone. Apple's Standard End-User License Agreement: apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Our Terms of Use: steercode.com/terms Our Privacy Policy: steercode.com/privacy

Screenshots

Blink Shell, Build & Code4 screens
SteerCode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SteerCode at 4.3 against Blink Shell, Build & Code's 3.1. SteerCode also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (55% vs 37%). Blink Shell, Build & Code's advantage is chart position (#10 vs #60). On price, ratings volume, 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. Blink Shell, Build & Code sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and SteerCode sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SteerCode holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 418 and 145 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Blink Shell, Build & Code's written reviews are positive against 55% of SteerCode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Blink Shell, Build & Code ships an update every 3 weeks, SteerCode every 5 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Blink Shell, Build & Code versus SteerCode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlink Shell, Build & CodeSteerCode
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (418 ratings)4.3 (145 ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.9% of reviews54.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings418 — better145
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#10 — better#60
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size211 MB111 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperBlink Shell, IncCognitic

Customer experience

Blink Shell, Build & Code

All ratings418 ratings
Positive51.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative45.7%
Written reviews344 reviews
Positive36.9%
Neutral2.3%
Negative60.8%

SteerCode

All ratings145 ratings
Positive82.1%
Neutral3.4%
Negative14.5%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive54.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative40.0%

Bugs and requests

Blink Shell, Build & Code

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SteerCode

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App freezes and crashes
  • Code generation errors
  • App hung after submitting idea
  • Onboarding resets after crash
  • Sandbox errors with AI coder
Show 6 more
  • UI is sloppy and shows long text
  • App doesn't start
  • App doesn't work as expected
  • Frozen and not responding to questions
  • Errors in generated code
  • Autonomously paid bills without notification

Requested features

8 requests
  • Option to code in Xcode
  • Support for iOS 15 and 16
  • iPad availability
  • More free AI models
  • Faster loading times
Show 3 more
  • Improved UI for long prompts
  • Better explanation of costs upfront
  • Ability to fix published websites

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Blink Shell, Build & Code

Subscriptions4
  • Build Basic - 50 credits/month1 Month trial$7.991 Month
  • Blink+Build Basic7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Blink Plus$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Blink+14 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Blink Shell ClassicFree
10 purchases

SteerCode

Subscriptions7
  • Premium$14.997 Days
  • Premium$24.991 Month
  • Premium3 Days trial$24.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Pro 1$24.991 Month
  • Pro 2$49.991 Month
  • Pro 3$99.991 Month
  • Pro$129.001 Month
One-time3
  • 50 Credits$9.99
  • 100 Credits$19.99
  • 200 Credits$39.99

Questions

Is Blink Shell, Build & Code free?
Blink Shell, Build & Code is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SteerCode free?
SteerCode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Blink Shell, Build & Code or SteerCode?
SteerCode is rated higher. Blink Shell, Build & Code averages 3.1 out of 5 from 418 ratings, while SteerCode averages 4.3 from 145 ratings.
Do Blink Shell, Build & Code or SteerCode have ads?
Neither Blink Shell, Build & Code nor SteerCode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Blink Shell, Build & Code or SteerCode?
Blink Shell, Build & Code ships an update every 3 weeks, and SteerCode every 5 days. Most recently, Blink Shell, Build & Code was updated on September 24, 2026 and SteerCode on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, Blink Shell, Build & Code or SteerCode?
Blink Shell, Build & Code currently peaks at #10 in the App Store charts, and SteerCode at #60. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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