# Telnet Lite vs iRemoteDesktop Lite

The clearest difference is rating: iRemoteDesktop Lite at 3.8 against Telnet Lite's 2.5. iRemoteDesktop Lite also leads on review sentiment (73% vs 45%) and ratings volume (75 vs 20). Telnet Lite's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iRemoteDesktop Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Telnet Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

iRemoteDesktop Lite holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 75 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Telnet Lite's written reviews are positive against 73% of iRemoteDesktop Lite's.

Telnet Lite ships an update every 4 months, iRemoteDesktop Lite every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Telnet Lite | iRemoteDesktop Lite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telnet-lite/id286893976/reviews) | **[3.8 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iremotedesktop-lite/id394062949/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **75** |
| Positive reviews | 45.5% of reviews | **73.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MochaSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/284741182) | [Hana Mobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/306576922) |

## 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


### iRemoteDesktop Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iremotedesktop-lite/id394062949)

Access your Windows PC from your iPhone or iPad. This app provides remote desktop functionality, allowing you to control your computer from anywhere. It's optimized for retina screens and supports various Windows versions.

**Highlights:** Remote Windows PC access, Optimized for retina screens, Supports various Windows versions, Portrait and landscape mode, Pinch to zoom, International keyboard support

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iRemoteDesktop Pro | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 🚀 Responsive and fluid performance
- 💡 Useful for remote access and management
- 🔒 Secure with PIN/password protection
- 🎨 Good visual quality and screen rendering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional connection issues and crashes
- 🔍 Confusing or lacking setup instructions
- 🖱️ Limited mouse/keyboard functionality in free version
- 🔋 High battery consumption on mobile devices
- 📺 Small screen size can make it difficult to use

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard gets stuck in uppercase mode
- Inability to delete previously added remote connections
- Compatibility issues with newer Windows versions
- Freezing or black screen issues during use

**Requested features**

- Add support for right-click and drag functionality
- Improve keyboard handling and integration
- Allow configuration of multiple remote connections
- Implement audio support for remote playback
- Optimize for larger tablet screens


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Telnet Lite free?

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

### Is iRemoteDesktop Lite free?

iRemoteDesktop Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Telnet Lite or iRemoteDesktop Lite?

iRemoteDesktop Lite is rated higher. Telnet Lite averages 2.5 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while iRemoteDesktop Lite averages 3.8 from 75 ratings.

### Do Telnet Lite or iRemoteDesktop Lite have ads?

iRemoteDesktop Lite shows ads; Telnet Lite does not.

### Which is updated more often, Telnet Lite or iRemoteDesktop Lite?

Telnet Lite ships an update every 4 months, and iRemoteDesktop Lite every 3 months. Most recently, Telnet Lite was updated on September 20, 2026 and iRemoteDesktop Lite on September 10, 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.*