Comparison

Visual Code vs Terminal

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

Head to head
About

Visual Code

This app transforms your iPhone and iPad into a powerful coding environment. Write, debug, and run code for numerous languages with a sleek interface and integrated terminal. Enjoy a desktop-like IDE experience on the go, optimized for the latest iOS and iPadOS features.

Highlights
  • Write, debug, and run code
  • Multi-language support
  • Integrated terminal
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Customizable themes
  • Optimized for iOS/iPadOS
Features
Read full description

Visual Code transforms your iPhone and iPad into a complete development environment. Built with performance, portability, and flexibility in mind, it allows you to write, debug, and run code wherever you are. Whether you’re a student, hobbyist, or professional developer, Visual Code gives you the power of a desktop IDE in a mobile-first design. Powerful and Intuitive Visual Code features a sleek, modern interface optimized for productivity. With syntax highlighting, intelligent formatting, and customizable themes, you can focus on what matters most: writing clean, efficient code. Multi-Language Support Work in the language of your choice without switching apps. Visual Code supports a wide range of popular programming languages, including: Python, JavaScript, C, C++, PHP, Java, Swift, HTML, CSS, Golang, Rust, Ruby, Objective-C, Perl, and Lua. Built-In Terminal Run commands directly inside the app with the integrated terminal. Manage projects, test scripts, and control workflows seamlessly without ever leaving Visual Code. Optimized for iOS 26 and iPadOS - Liquid Gas Design: Smooth, futuristic UI tailored to the latest iOS standards. - Deep iPad Integration: Take advantage of multi-window support, multitasking, and full external keyboard compatibility. - Keyboard Shortcuts: Streamline your workflow with shortcut support for iPad keyboards, making coding even faster. Why Choose Visual Code? - Work on the go with an all-in-one coding environment. - Enjoy a familiar desktop-like experience with mobile convenience. - Build, test, and refine projects without compromise. Disclaimer Visual Code is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to Microsoft Corporation. It is also not related to, nor a part of, Microsoft Visual Studio. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ------- Visual Code Pro is an auto renewable subscription: - Edit Files - AI integrations - Themes ------- Price may vary by location and active promotion. Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage your subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial peri​od, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. ------- Privacy Policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/95401147 Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

Terminal

This advanced client provides developers with a streamlined way to manage Linux, SSH, Telnet, and SFTP connections. It offers features like AI assistance for server building, multi-tab management, and integrated editors to enhance productivity and simplify remote access.

Highlights
  • SSH, Mosh, Telnet, Port Forwarding, SFTP support
  • AI chatbot for server building assistance
  • Personalized themes and fonts per connection
  • Multi-tab interface for simultaneous sessions
  • SFTP file manager with nano and vim editors
  • Connection history and saved snippets
  • Vaults, multi-team, groups, and tags organization
Features
Read full description

Terminal is the most advanced SSH client in the market, designed by developers for developers. Access everything with just one tap. Say goodbye to the hassle of re-entering IP addresses, ports, and passwords. Key features: - Support for SSH, Mosh, Telnet, Port Forwarding, and SFTP. - AI chatbot to assist in building your servers instead of browsing the web for generic commands. - Personalization of theme and font settings for each connection in your terminal. - Management of multiple sessions simultaneously with a convenient multi-tab interface. - SFTP file manager and integrated editors nano and vim. - Easy and fast terminal connect. - Use of snippets to run your most frequently used commands and save time. - Saving of all connections history to keep track of your workload. - Support for vaults and multi-team functionality. - Organization of your terminal using groups and tags. - Keychain support with different login options. We hope to deliver a more productive and enjoyable remote access for developers, so please do not hesitate to contact us in case you desire a new feature or just to say hello. Terms of use: https://shella.me/terms Privacy policy: https://shella.me/privacy

Screenshots

Visual Code4 screens
Terminal4 screens

Verdict

The call

Visual Code and Terminal both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 49% of Terminal's written reviews are positive against 14% of Visual Code's. Terminal also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). Visual Code's advantage is ratings volume (3.6K vs 110). On price, rating, 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. Visual Code sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Terminal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Visual Code against 4.4 for Terminal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Visual Code has 3.6K ratings behind it against 110, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 14% of Visual Code's written reviews are positive against 49% of Terminal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Visual Code ships an update monthly, Terminal every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Visual Code versus Terminal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVisual CodeTerminal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3.6K ratings)4.4 (110 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.2% of reviews48.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.6K — better110
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.417.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size168 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStart App LtdSoufiane Benabid

Customer experience

Visual Code

All ratings3,596 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral3.0%
Negative15.3%
Written reviews330 reviews
Positive14.2%
Neutral3.9%
Negative81.8%

Terminal

All ratings110 ratings
Positive85.5%
Neutral3.6%
Negative10.9%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive48.7%
Neutral5.1%
Negative46.2%

User reviews

Visual Code

From 3.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient and simple to use
  • 👍 User-friendly and easy to navigate
  • 🔥 Great for mobile coding

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Paywall blocks free usage
  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🤔 Misleading as 'free' app

Terminal

From 110 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy setup
  • 👍 Helpful for SSH
  • 💡 Works on Raspberry Pi

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Authentication issues after updates
  • 🐛 Telnet not working as expected
  • 🔒 Concerns about cloud storage of credentials

Bugs and requests

Visual Code

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Keyboard issues and disappearing UI
  • Inconsistent behavior when opening files
  • Syncing and file management problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for C#
  • Improve text selection and editing
  • Implement file/folder management
  • Provide a true free version

Terminal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • SSH unable to connect after v3.4 update
  • Crashes when attempting to connect
  • Backspace/delete key not working

Requested features

3 requests
  • Guest option more prominent
  • iPad optimization
  • Chinese language support

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Visual Code

Subscriptions3
  • Visual Code Pro$2.997 Days
  • VisualCodePro3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Code Pro$49.991 Year
4 purchases

Terminal

Subscriptions4
  • Terminal - Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Terminal - Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Terminal - Yearly$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Terminal - Yearly$69.991 Year

Questions

Is Visual Code free?
Visual Code is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Terminal free?
Terminal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Visual Code or Terminal?
Terminal is rated higher. Visual Code averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3.6K ratings, while Terminal averages 4.4 from 110 ratings.
Do Visual Code or Terminal have ads?
Neither Visual Code nor Terminal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Visual Code or Terminal?
Visual Code ships an update monthly, and Terminal every 9 days. Most recently, Visual Code was updated on October 6, 2026 and Terminal on October 8, 2026.

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