Comparison

NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale vs Probe

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

Head to head
About

NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale

This app provides a secure and powerful SSH terminal, file management, and a MagicDNS-aware browser for your Tailscale network. It streamlines server management without needing to switch VPN apps, offering features like real-time monitoring and an integrated editor.

Highlights
  • Secure SSH terminal for Tailscale
  • SFTP file management with built-in editor
  • MagicDNS-aware browser for internal dashboards
  • Real-time Linux server monitoring
  • Multi-tab sessions and customizable themes
  • Resume SSH sessions after app suspension
Features
Read full description

NovaScale is a remote-work and server-operations workspace built for Tailscale. Use SSH, monitoring, private web tools, SFTP, Herdr, Remote Git, and Remote Codex from one app—without switching VPN apps. Built-in Tailscale connects your tailnet inside NovaScale. Traditional SSH hosts and Headscale are also supported. HOSTS - Auto-discover tailnet hosts; organize with aliases, icons, groups and pins. SSH TERMINAL - Maintained native Swift terminal with customizable themes, external keyboards, combo keys, Simple Commands, OSC52 and Neovim support. - Pin terminal/tmux sessions; use copy mode with Page Up/Down and choose prefixes such as Ctrl-A. Touch-scroll, click, select and open menus in mouse-aware apps. - Command/argument suggestions with optional Bash/Zsh integration. Built-in Tailscale handles network changes; recovery depends on network, host and iOS conditions. REMOTE CODEX - Install and configure Codex on your host. Threads are managed there; NovaScale is a remote client and may cache content locally for display. - Connect to your Mac/Linux Codex CLI/app-server via Tailscale. Resume, fork, pin and rename threads; search across projects and sync pins with compatible desktop hosts. - Send prompts/files, review Markdown, LaTeX and changes, handle approvals, and follow goals, subagents and activity. Adjust text size/spacing; open images full screen. - Share files directly over authenticated app-server WebSocket; Pro adds linked-host SFTP transfers with byte progress. Diagnose host setup and compatibility in-app. - Free includes one Codex host, in-app banners and best-effort local notifications. REMOTE HERDR - Connect compatible Herdr on Mac/Linux via Tailscale or traditional SSH. Native protocol and controls for workspaces, tabs, agents and status, with a full terminal experience. - Pin and detach without stopping remote agents; paste images. Free: three daily visits and one pin. Pro: unlimited visits/pins and file/photo uploads. ON-DEVICE DICTATION - Dictate in Terminal, Codex and Herdr on supported iOS 26 devices/languages. Works offline after language assets are installed; raw audio is not saved or uploaded. CODEX & HERDR PUSH - Optional alerts when remote work needs you, even with NovaScale closed. Choose work opened in NovaScale or selected hosts. Requires host-side setup; plan limits apply. Disable at any time. REMOTE GIT - Browse repositories, branches, commits and diffs over SSH. Stage, unstage and commit on the remote host. MONITORING & CONTAINERS - CPU, memory, network, disk and I/O trends; inspect and end processes. Monitor, start, stop and restart Docker and supported macOS Apple containers. Pro adds container deployment. WEB & SFTP - Open services via URL, MagicDNS or Tailscale IP. Optional remote SOCKS5/HTTP CONNECT browser proxy and self-signed certificates; background audio from services such as Jellyfin. - Pro: browse, transfer, preview and edit SFTP files. Share files from iOS to SFTP, Terminal and Codex. LOCAL PROXY - Optional passwordless loopback SOCKS5/HTTP CONNECT access to active-tailnet peers for compatible apps on this device. No location permission needed; background access depends on iOS. PLANS & COMPATIBILITY - Core workflows are free with limits. Pro expands capacity and adds SFTP, flexible iCloud sync, container deployment and advanced customization. iOS 15+; in-app web requires iOS 17+. - Codex and Herdr require compatible host installations. TRANSPARENCY - Not affiliated with Tailscale Inc. Remote Push sends opaque IDs and signed lifecycle events, not prompts, code, commands, patches, responses, transcript paths or working directories. - Codex bootstrap wrapper and companion agent: https://github.com/GalaxNet-Ltd/nova-codex-bootstrap - Built on a maintained libtailscale fork: https://github.com/GalaxNet-Ltd/libtailscale - Support: nova-support@galaxnet.cc - Terms: https://galaxnet.dev/nova/legal/tos/ - Privacy: https://galaxnet.dev/nova/legal/privacy/

About

Probe

Features
Read full description

Probe is a simple SSH client for people who just want to get the job done. Open it, tap a host, get a shell. That's it. What's in the box • A host has more than one address — Probe lets you list a few (LAN, public, whatever) and picks a sensible one based on the network you're on. • Remembers what worked — once an endpoint connects on a given network, that's the one it tries first next time. • Warns when something's off — like trying to reach a private address with no VPN up. • Pins host fingerprints — if a server's identity changes, you decide whether to trust it. • Keys live in the iOS Keychain — they don't leave your device. • A keyboard row that actually has Ctrl, Esc, Tab, arrows, and pipes where your thumb can reach them. What's not in the box No accounts. No tracking. No ads. No syncing. No "pro" tier. Your hosts and keys stay on your phone. Requirements • iOS 17 or later • An Ed25519 SSH key — Probe imports an OpenSSH-format key, or generates one for you.

Screenshots

NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale4 screens
Probe3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Probe at none against NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale's 3. Probe also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale's advantage is chart position (#70 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support 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. NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Probe asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale ships an update every 6 weeks, Probe every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale versus Probe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNovaScale, SSH/Herdr+TailscaleProbe
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews84.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
Best chart rank#70 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size118 MB6 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperGalaxNet Ltd.Pedro Almeida

In-app purchases

3 purchases

NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale

Subscriptions2
  • NovaScale Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • NovaScale Pro Annual14 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • NovaScale Pro Lifetime$39.99
None

Probe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale free?
NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Probe free?
Probe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale or Probe have ads?
Neither NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale nor Probe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale or Probe?
NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale ships an update every 6 weeks, and Probe every 2 days. Most recently, NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale was updated on November 12, 2026 and Probe on November 10, 2026.

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