Comparison

CommandKit vs OpenLens

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

OpenLens

This application allows you to remotely control and monitor AI coding sessions from your iPhone. Continue your work seamlessly from your mobile device, manage sessions, and receive real-time updates.

Highlights
  • Remote AI coding session control
  • Real-time chat with streaming responses
  • Session management (create, delete)
  • Switch AI providers and models
  • Live progress on Lock Screen/Dynamic Island
  • Bonjour/mDNS server discovery
  • Save multiple server connections
Features
Read full description

OpenLens is a fast, focused iPhone client for OpenCode. Run OpenCode on your computer, then continue the same AI coding session from your phone. Use OpenLens to monitor progress, reply quickly, and stay in control when you are away from your desk. What you can do with OpenLens: - Connect instantly to nearby OpenCode servers with Bonjour/mDNS discovery - Save multiple server connections and reconnect automatically - Chat in real time with streaming responses - View and manage sessions, including creating and deleting sessions - Switch AI providers and models directly from the app - Review agent activity steps while work is in progress - Respond to permission prompts and interactive questions from the server - See live progress on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island with Live Activities Built for real workflows: - One session across terminal, web, and iPhone - Reliable reconnect behavior when network conditions change - Optional password-protected server access

Screenshots

CommandKit4 screens
OpenLens4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: OpenLens at Free against CommandKit's $2.99. OpenLens also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). CommandKit's advantage is iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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

OpenLens is free to download; CommandKit costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CommandKit ships an update every 3 weeks, OpenLens every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CommandKit versus OpenLens: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCommandKitOpenLens
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating—4.7 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—81.8% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPiotr OzogMartyn Pekala

In-app purchases

None

CommandKit

No in-app purchases

None

OpenLens

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CommandKit free?
CommandKit costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is OpenLens free?
OpenLens is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CommandKit or OpenLens have ads?
Neither CommandKit nor OpenLens shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CommandKit or OpenLens?
CommandKit ships an update every 3 weeks, and OpenLens every 5 days. Most recently, CommandKit was updated on October 31, 2026 and OpenLens on October 31, 2026.

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