Comparison

Neko Dash vs iTerm2 Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Neko Dash

This app provides a remote dashboard for managing Clash, OpenWrt, and Surge controllers. It offers real-time monitoring, proxy group control, and connection analysis for users with existing controller setups.

Highlights
  • Multi-controller management
  • Real-time status dashboard
  • Widget support
  • Proxy group control
  • Connection and traffic analysis
  • Rule and configuration management
Features
Read full description

Neko Dash is a modern dashboard client for remotely connecting to and managing Clash-compatible cores, OpenWrt controllers, and Surge controllers. It is not a VPN or proxy application itself. Please note before purchasing or using: • This app requires an already deployed Clash / OpenWrt / Surge controller to function properly. • This app does not provide proxy nodes, subscriptions, routing services, VPN services, or network access. • This app is best suited for users who already understand the basic concepts of controller dashboards. If you already have a working controller environment, Neko Dash helps you monitor and manage it remotely and conveniently on your iPhone. If you do not have a connectable controller environment, or if you do not understand what a “Controller” is, please download and purchase with caution. 【Trial and Purchase】 Neko Dash includes a 7-day free trial. After the trial period ends, a one-time in-app purchase is required to continue using the app. This purchase unlocks the full app experience permanently and is not an auto-renewing subscription. Users who previously purchased or downloaded the paid version of Neko Dash may continue using the app without purchasing again, subject to App Store receipt validation. You can restore your purchase at any time from the unlock page. 【Core Features】 • Multi-Controller Management Add and manage multiple Clash cores, OpenWrt controllers, and Surge controllers simultaneously. • Real-Time Status Dashboard Monitor upload and download speeds in real time with a clean, native iOS-style dashboard. • Widget Support Home Screen widgets and Lock Screen widgets help you quickly view important controller status. • Powerful Proxy Group Control Visualized policy groups clearly display included nodes and their current status. One-tap latency testing helps you test nodes within policy groups. Quick switching provides a smooth interactive experience for changing proxy nodes. • Connection and Traffic Analysis View active TCP/UDP connections in real time, including source IP, target domain, upload/download data usage, and connection duration. Force disconnect allows you to manually close specific connections when needed. • Rule and Configuration Management Preview active routing rules directly inside the app. Modify supported controller settings remotely, including running mode, log level, and port settings, without manually editing configuration files. • Visual Experience Designed for iOS with support for both Light Mode and Dark Mode. Neko Dash icon design: Gholts (Hugo Lee) Privacy Policy: https://testflight.notion.site/privacy-policy-for-neko-dash Terms of Use: https://testflight.notion.site/term-of-service-for-neko-dash

About

iTerm2 Buddy

This app allows you to remotely monitor and interact with your iTerm2 terminal sessions on macOS from your iPhone or iPad. It offers live terminal viewing, input control, and AI assistance for executing commands and managing your sessions securely.

Highlights
  • Live terminal session viewing
  • Remote command input and control
  • AI agent for session management
  • Push notifications for agent replies
  • Voice input with on-device transcription
  • End-to-end encrypted communication
Features
Read full description

iTerm2 Buddy connects your iPhone or iPad to iTerm2, the popular terminal for macOS. Once paired with your Mac, it lets you keep an eye on your terminal and act on it from the couch or on the go. REQUIRES A MAC iTerm2 Buddy is a companion app. It works only after pairing with iTerm2 and the free companion plugin on your Mac. Pairing takes a few seconds: your Mac shows a QR code, you scan it, and confirm a short code on both devices. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Live terminal: watch a session update in real time, exactly as it looks on your Mac, including colors, inline images, and full-screen apps like vim, htop, and less. - Type and control: bring up a keyboard with the terminal keys you need (Esc, Control-C, Tab, arrows, function keys) and send input to a session. A composer lets you write longer commands and send them all at once. - Chat with an AI agent: message an assistant that runs on your Mac and can act on your sessions, open windows, run commands, review changes, and report back. Approve sensitive actions right from your phone. - Notifications: get a push when the agent replies or needs your approval, so you can step away and return when it matters. - Voice input: dictate messages with on-device transcription. Your audio never leaves your phone. PRIVACY AND SECURITY Terminal content shared between your Mac and your phone is end-to-end encrypted with the Noise protocol, so only your own devices can read it. There is no account and no advertising, and the app includes no third-party tracking. FREE iTerm2 and iTerm2 Buddy are free.

Screenshots

Neko Dash4 screens
iTerm2 Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Neko Dash at 50% against iTerm2 Buddy's 0%. Neko Dash also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.8) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). iTerm2 Buddy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ratings volume, 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. Neko Dash sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iTerm2 Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Neko Dash holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Neko Dash's written reviews are positive against 0% of iTerm2 Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Neko Dash ships an update every 2 weeks, iTerm2 Buddy every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Neko Dash versus iTerm2 Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNeko DashiTerm2 Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (8 ratings) — better2.8 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTHE BORING LAB LIMITEDGEORGE NACHMAN

Customer experience

Neko Dash

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral10.7%
Negative39.3%

iTerm2 Buddy

All ratings6 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Neko Dash

One-time1
  • Neko Dash Pro$1.99
None

iTerm2 Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Neko Dash free?
Neko Dash is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iTerm2 Buddy free?
iTerm2 Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Neko Dash or iTerm2 Buddy?
Neko Dash is rated higher. Neko Dash averages 4.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while iTerm2 Buddy averages 2.8 from 6 ratings.
Do Neko Dash or iTerm2 Buddy have ads?
Neither Neko Dash nor iTerm2 Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Neko Dash or iTerm2 Buddy?
Neko Dash ships an update every 2 weeks, and iTerm2 Buddy every 3 days. Most recently, Neko Dash was updated on November 9, 2026 and iTerm2 Buddy on November 5, 2026.

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