# Telnet Lite vs Command Reference

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Command Reference at 100% against Telnet Lite's 45%. Command Reference also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.5) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). Telnet Lite's advantage is ratings volume (20 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Command Reference holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Telnet Lite has 20 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Telnet Lite's written reviews are positive against 100% of Command Reference's.

Telnet Lite ships an update every 4 months, Command Reference every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Telnet Lite | Command Reference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telnet-lite/id286893976/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/command-reference/id1124249742/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **20** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 45.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 5 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MochaSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/284741182) | [Rutul Patel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1123720020) |

## What reviewers say

### Telnet Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telnet-lite/id286893976)

Connect to Linux/UNIX Telnet servers from your iPhone or iPad. Run server applications in a VT220 terminal window, just like on a console. Supports various barcode scanners and customizable terminal settings.

**Highlights:** VT220 terminal emulation, Telnet and SSH2 protocol support, Barcode scanner integration, Customizable terminal colors and size, Auto login functionality

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Functional telnet/SSH client for basic remote access
- 📱 Useful for mobile device administration
- ⚙️ Configurable settings and keyboard layouts
- 🎯 Works well for quick emergency access
- 💾 Saves SSH credentials for convenience

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ 5-minute session timeout limit (major complaint)
- ⌨️ Enter button removed/relocated in recent updates
- 🐢 Slow performance and laggy keyboard animations
- 📵 Disconnects when switching to other apps
- ⌨️ Keyboard obscures input/cursor visibility

**Reported bugs**

- 5-minute session timeout introduced in update
- Enter button missing or relocated in recent versions
- App crashes on iOS 3.0 and later versions
- Keyboard animations are laggy
- Text entry is very slow

**Requested features**

- Remove or increase 5-minute session time limit
- Restore enter button to standard keyboard location
- Add ESC and function keys to lite version
- Implement arrow keys and tab key support
- Add copy/paste functionality


### Command Reference

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/command-reference/id1124249742)

Access a comprehensive database of over 10,000 Cisco IOS commands for configuring routers and switches. Each command includes syntax, description, command mode, and examples, with visual aids for complex configurations.

**Highlights:** 10,000+ Cisco IOS commands, Command syntax and description, Command mode details, Configuration examples, Images for examples, Offline access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Telnet Lite free?

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

### Is Command Reference free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Telnet Lite or Command Reference?

Command Reference is rated higher. Telnet Lite averages 2.5 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Command Reference averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Telnet Lite or Command Reference have ads?

Neither Telnet Lite nor Command Reference shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Telnet Lite or Command Reference?

Telnet Lite ships an update every 4 months, and Command Reference every 2 months. Most recently, Telnet Lite was updated on September 20, 2026 and Command Reference on August 21, 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.*