# rootshell vs VVTerm

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: rootshell at none against VVTerm's 3. rootshell also leads on ratings volume (40 vs 5). VVTerm's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, review sentiment, ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VVTerm sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.49 per month. rootshell asks for nothing beyond the download.

VVTerm holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: rootshell has 40 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of rootshell's written reviews are positive against 100% of VVTerm's.

rootshell ships an update every 2 weeks, VVTerm every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | rootshell | VVTerm |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rootshell-local-terminal-ssh/id6755794662/reviews) | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vvterm-native-ssh-client/id6757482822/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **40** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 93.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#170** | #200 |
| Size | 344 MB | 56 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rootshell LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1829197011) | [Vivy Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/1852821401) |

## What reviewers say

### rootshell

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rootshell-local-terminal-ssh/id6755794662)

**Currently charting:** #170 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app provides a powerful, desktop-class terminal emulator with GPU acceleration and native support for SSH, Mosh, and tssh. It offers features like system-wide VPN over SSH, native Git integration, and AI assistance for hands-free command execution and web searches.

**Highlights:** GPU-accelerated terminal, Native SSH and Mosh support, System-wide VPN over SSH, Native Git client, AI voice and text agents, Cloud and Kubernetes integration, Hardware security key support

**In-app purchases:** none


### VVTerm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vvterm-native-ssh-client/id6757482822)

**Currently charting:** #200 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A native SSH client for Apple devices, offering secure server connections, remote file browsing, and seamless synchronization across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Supports advanced features like tmux, Mosh, and tunneling for a comfortable remote work experience.

**Highlights:** Native SSH client for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Password and SSH key authentication, SFTP remote file browsing, iCloud sync for servers, tmux and Mosh support, Customizable themes and modes

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $6.49 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Pro Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is rootshell free?

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

### Is VVTerm free?

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

### Which has better reviews, rootshell or VVTerm?

VVTerm is rated higher. rootshell averages 4.8 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while VVTerm averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do rootshell or VVTerm have ads?

Neither rootshell nor VVTerm shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, rootshell or VVTerm?

rootshell ships an update every 2 weeks, and VVTerm every 5 days. Most recently, rootshell was updated on September 22, 2026 and VVTerm on September 21, 2026.

### Which is more popular, rootshell or VVTerm?

rootshell currently peaks at #170 in the App Store charts, and VVTerm at #200. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*