Comparison

DocB vs Pier Shell

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

Head to head
About

DocB

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DocB is a native documentation app built for developers who work with APIs. Bring the DocC sources you use into one focused library. Search across them instantly, save important pages for later, and keep reference material close wherever you work. Whether you are looking up an endpoint signature, scanning a framework guide, or researching away from your desk, DocB helps you stop bouncing between browser tabs and start getting answers faster. DocB supports Apple Developer Documentation, custom DocC sites, and popular documentation sources, so you can create a reference library that matches your workflow. Key features: - Read DocC documentation in a native app with fast, distraction-free browsing - Add popular documentation sources or your own DocC website - Search across all connected sources and DocC content - Save bookmarks and bookmark collections for quick follow-up - Sync sources and bookmarks with CloudKit - Continue reading across Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro

About

Pier Shell

Features
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No separate account required Pier works with your existing iCloud account to keep supported data synchronized across your Apple devices. There’s no Pier registration, username, or password to manage. Pier is a native SSH and SFTP client built for developers who want a simple, fast way to access their servers from iPhone and Mac. Add your hosts once and keep them synced privately through iCloud. Connect to production, staging, personal servers, Raspberry Pis, and more without rebuilding your setup on every device. Pier is designed to feel at home on Apple platforms, with a clean native interface, fast terminal performance, and secure key handling.

Screenshots

DocB4 screens
Pier Shell4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: DocB at every 3 days against Pier Shell's every 8 days. DocB also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DocB ships an update every 3 days, Pier Shell every 8 days. Both last shipped on September 10, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
DocB versus Pier Shell: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDocBPier Shell
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days β€” betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro β€” betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS18.0 β€” better26.5
Further details β€” not scored
Size19 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMCRICH LLCMuhamad Nur Asyraaf

In-app purchases

None

DocB

No in-app purchases

None

Pier Shell

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DocB free?
DocB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pier Shell free?
Pier Shell is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DocB or Pier Shell have ads?
Neither DocB nor Pier Shell shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DocB or Pier Shell?
DocB ships an update every 3 days, and Pier Shell every 8 days. Most recently, DocB was updated on September 10, 2026 and Pier Shell on September 10, 2026.

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