Comparison

MobileCLI vs DevFob

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

Head to head
About

MobileCLI

Access your desktop terminal sessions remotely from your phone. Connect securely without accounts or cloud services. Ideal for developers to manage AI coding assistants and run commands from anywhere.

Highlights
  • Remote terminal access
  • AI coding assistant integration
  • QR code pairing
  • Direct WebSocket connection
  • File browser and editor (Pro)
  • Spawn new terminal sessions
  • Push notifications for AI input
Features
Read full description

Your desktop terminal, in your pocket. MobileCLI connects to your development machine and gives you full access to your terminal sessions from your phone. Pair with a QR code, and you're in — no accounts, no cloud relay, no configuration files. Built for developers who use AI coding assistants. Watch Claude Code, Codex, or Gemini work in real time. Approve tool calls from the couch. Fix a stuck prompt from the grocery store. Your sessions keep running whether you're watching or not. REAL TERMINAL, NOT A TOY Full xterm.js terminal with keyboard toolbar — arrow keys for history navigation, escape, paste from clipboard, and file attachments. Everything you type goes straight to your PTY. Everything your PTY outputs streams back instantly over WebSocket. CONNECT YOUR WAY Scan a QR code on your local network, or connect over Tailscale from anywhere in the world. Link multiple machines and switch between them. All connections are direct — your data never touches a third-party server. FILE BROWSER & EDITOR (Pro) Browse your project files, edit code with syntax highlighting, view images and PDFs, search by filename or content. Create, rename, move, and delete files and folders. Upload photos and documents straight from your phone into your terminal session. SPAWN SESSIONS FROM YOUR PHONE Start new terminal sessions remotely — Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, or a plain shell. Pick a working directory, name your session, and go. NOTIFICATIONS WHEN IT MATTERS Get a push notification when your AI assistant needs input — tool approvals, plan confirmations, or clarifying questions. Tap to jump straight into the session. MULTIPLE THEMES Classic black terminal, Tokyo Night, or Light mode. Pick what feels right. FREE TO START Connect one device, open terminal sessions, type commands, and get notifications — all free. Upgrade to Pro to unlock the file browser, file editor, and attachment uploads. PRO SUBSCRIPTION MobileCLI Pro unlocks file browsing, editing, and attachment uploads. • $19.99/year with a 3-day free trial • $29.99 lifetime purchase (one-time) • Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase • Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period • Manage or cancel anytime in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions Privacy Policy: https://www.mobilecli.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.mobilecli.app/terms

About

DevFob

Features
Read full description

DevFob puts your Mac's Claude Code sessions on your iPhone — and your Apple Watch. Claude Code runs on your Mac. DevFob lets you watch every session and answer it from anywhere, so a long run never stalls waiting on a prompt you didn't see. • See every session live — running, idle, or needs-you-now. • Answer permission prompts (Allow / Deny) and multiple-choice questions from your iPhone or Apple Watch. • Send a quick instruction or reply without walking back to the Mac. • Resume an interrupted session. • Switch your Mac's operating mode. • Glance at your Claude usage (5-hour and weekly windows). Built for trust: • End-to-end encrypted. Pair your iPhone to your Mac with a one-time code; every command is sealed, so the relay only ever sees ciphertext. • No account, no tracking. It talks to your own Mac, not to us. • The Apple Watch app mirrors your iPhone, so the watch never holds your Mac's keys. DevFob requires the DevFob host running on your Mac (devfob.com).

Screenshots

MobileCLI4 screens
DevFob3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DevFob at none against MobileCLI's 2. MobileCLI's advantage is chart position (#197 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.1 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. MobileCLI sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. DevFob asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MobileCLI versus DevFob: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMobileCLIDevFob
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#197 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander KniggeSarwar Chahal

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MobileCLI

Subscriptions1
  • Files Premium (Yearly)3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Files Premium (Lifetime)$29.99
None

DevFob

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MobileCLI free?
MobileCLI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DevFob free?
DevFob is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MobileCLI or DevFob have ads?
Neither MobileCLI nor DevFob shows ads.

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