Comparison

CommandKit vs MTerm

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

Head to head
About

CommandKit

Features
Read full description

CommandKit turns your iPhone and iPad into a full SSH terminal, server dashboard, and AI command assistant — private by design, with no traffic routed through anyone else's cloud. Unlike clients that sync your servers through a vendor cloud, CommandKit connects you straight to your machines. Your keys and credentials never leave your device. — WHY COMMANDKIT — • A real terminal, not a viewer — full VT100/ANSI with htop, vim, nano, tmux, and TUI apps that actually work • Built-in AI assistant — the only SSH client that helps you write, explain, and debug shell commands on the go • Monitoring + terminal in one app — no separate tool, no paywall to open a shell — SSH & CONNECTIVITY — • Tabbed SSH sessions with per-tab history and TUI support • Ed25519 & ECDSA key manager with secure Keychain storage • Safe multiline paste, buffer search (⌘F), clickable URLs • Full external keyboard support on iPad — SERVER MONITORING — • Real-time CPU, memory, disk, network & temperature • Auto-refresh and an at-a-glance overview of every host — SECURITY & PRIVACY — • Face ID / Touch ID for sudo and session unlock • Direct connection to your servers — no proxy, no middleman • Session disconnect notifications — AI ASSISTANT (OPTIONAL) — • Bring your own API key — you control cost and privacy • Supports Gemini, OpenAI, and local LLMs (Ollama, LM Studio) • Works fully offline with the built-in rule-based assistant — PRODUCTIVITY — • Command snippets for your frequent workflows • Custom themes & fonts (Solarized, Dracula, Nord, One Dark) • Fast native copy/paste Perfect for developers, sysadmins, DevOps engineers, and anyone managing Linux servers, a VPS, Raspberry Pi, or a home lab from iPhone or iPad — no laptop needed.

About

MTerm

This app is a professional SSH client and terminal emulator for iOS, designed for AI-driven remote development. It allows developers to run AI tools and manage servers from their mobile devices with persistent sessions and a customizable interface.

Highlights
  • Integrated SSH terminal and remote IDE
  • Persistent SSH sessions
  • Multi-window and multi-pane support
  • Workspace saving and instant restore
  • Plugin system for extending capabilities
  • Snippets and clipboard history
  • Customizable accessory bar
Features
Read full description

Run Claude Code, Codex, and AI agents from your iPad or iPhone — without being tied to a desk. MTerm is a professional SSH client and iOS terminal emulator built specifically for AI-driven remote development. If you need serious developer tools on mobile, MTerm delivers a stable, persistent, and fully featured terminal environment for modern workflows. Designed for developers who manage Linux, Mac, and cloud servers, MTerm combines a powerful SSH terminal, remote IDE, workspace persistence, and AI-focused tooling into one seamless experience. PERFECT FOR DEVELOPERS WHO - Run Claude Code, Codex, or other AI CLI tools remotely - Search for a professional SSH client for iPad or iPhone - Need a reliable iOS terminal emulator - Work in remote development environments - Manage servers via SSH daily - Build AI-driven workflows on the go MTerm is optimized for uninterrupted AI coding and serious remote development. ―――――――――――― AI DEVELOPMENT WORKSPACE - Integrated SSH terminal + remote IDE + prompt manager - Multi-window and multi-pane support for parallel AI workflows - Workspace saving with CMD + S - Restore native pane layouts instantly on reconnect - Built for long-running development sessions PERSISTENT SSH SESSIONS - Keep SSH sessions alive when switching apps - Designed for sustained remote development - Active sessions visible in Notification Center - Monitor running sessions with Live Activities ADVANCED SSH CLIENT - Password, SSH Key, and Keychain authentication - Jump Host (bastion) support - Local and Remote Port Forwarding - Secure, stable connections for Linux, macOS, and cloud servers - Mosh support for resilient connections on unstable mobile networks MTERM PLUGIN SYSTEM - Extend terminal capabilities with MTerm Plugins - Integrate your Mac or remote server environment - Session persistence powered by abduco - Reconnect to long-running terminal sessions safely - Display the current Git branch directly in the terminal footer SNIPPETS & CLIPBOARD HISTORY - Save commands and code as reusable snippets - Quickly paste from clipboard history - Ideal for repetitive development and AI prompt workflows ENHANCED AI PROMPT INPUT - Attach images and files directly in the prompt editor - Optimized for Claude Code and AI CLI usage - Seamless integration with the SSH terminal MULTI-PANE & TAB MANAGEMENT - Native split-view terminal emulator - Connect to multiple servers simultaneously - Organize sessions with tabs - Independent layouts per tab - Vertical tab mode for better session navigation - Unlimited panes (Pro) CUSTOMIZABLE ACCESSORY BAR - Configure shortcut buttons in the software keyboard toolbar - Improve command efficiency without external tools - Designed for fast command input on touch devices BUILT-IN REMOTE EDITOR (Pro) - Edit code, JSON, and Markdown directly on remote servers - Designed for uninterrupted development IMAGE PREVIEW (Pro) - Instantly preview files - Useful for reviewing AI-generated assets FULL CJK & IME SUPPORT - Accurate rendering for Japanese, Chinese, and Korean text - Full IME input compatibility - Stable long-form text input in terminal environments MAGIC KEYBOARD & HARDWARE KEYBOARD SUPPORT - Full keyboard shortcuts - Optimized for professional iPad development - Turn your iPad or iPhone into a serious developer workstation ―――――――――――― MTerm is not just another SSH client. It’s an AI-focused iOS terminal built for real remote development. Advanced features are unlocked with Pro. Privacy Policy: https://mterm.app/en/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

CommandKit4 screens
MTerm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MTerm at Free against CommandKit's $2.99. MTerm also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). CommandKit's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

MTerm is free to download; CommandKit costs $2.99 up front. MTerm sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. CommandKit asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CommandKit ships an update every 3 weeks, MTerm every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CommandKit versus MTerm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCommandKitMTerm
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB23 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperPiotr Ozogkazuki oinuma

In-app purchases

None

CommandKit

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

MTerm

Subscriptions2
  • MTerm サブスクリプション(月額)$1.991 Month
  • MTerm サブスクリプション(年額)$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • MTerm Pro$14.99

Questions

Is CommandKit free?
CommandKit costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MTerm free?
MTerm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CommandKit or MTerm have ads?
Neither CommandKit nor MTerm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CommandKit or MTerm?
CommandKit ships an update every 3 weeks, and MTerm every 3 days. Most recently, CommandKit was updated on October 9, 2026 and MTerm on October 5, 2026.

Other comparisons