Comparison

AgentShell vs HQSSH

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

Head to head
About

AgentShell

This app provides developers with an SSH client to manage AI coding tools on remote servers. It offers push notifications for agent input, multiple session management, and secure key storage. Stay connected and in control of your development environment from your mobile device.

Highlights
  • AI agent support with push notifications
  • Lock screen and Dynamic Island session status
  • Up to 10 simultaneous sessions
  • 256-color terminal with extra keyboard row
  • Secure key storage in iOS Keychain
  • Unlimited saved connection profiles
Features
Read full description

AgentShell is an SSH client for developers who run AI coding tools like Claude Code and Gemini CLI on remote servers. The problem it solves You're running Claude on a dev server. It needs a yes/no answer. Your phone is in your pocket. Without notifications, you'd have no idea it's waiting. AgentShell watches your terminal for input prompts and notifies you. Works whether the app is open, backgrounded, or your phone is locked. AI agent support • Auto-launch Claude, Gemini, Cursor, Codex, or your own tools on connect • Detects when agents need confirmation or input • Push notifications show the actual question being asked • Banners when you're in another session • Per-connection working directories Lock Screen and Dynamic Island • Session status visible without unlocking • See "Working", "Waiting for input", or "Ready" at a glance • Tap to jump straight into the session Multiple sessions • Up to 10 sessions at once • Grid view with terminal previews • Sessions stay alive when you switch apps • Auto-reconnect on dropped connections • GNU Screen support Terminal • 256 colors, multiple themes • Extra keyboard row: Ctrl, Esc, Tab, arrows • Voice input • Copy/paste Security • Keys in iOS Keychain with hardware encryption • Face ID / Touch ID to access keys • Ed25519, RSA, ECDSA generation • Keys stay on device • Secure password storage Connections • Unlimited saved profiles • Quick connect to recent servers • AWS EC2 metadata support • Custom startup commands • Background connection keeper No web views Native iOS. SwiftUI. Pure Swift SSH. Launches fast, stays responsive. --- Subscription Information AgentShell Pro (Yearly) is available as an auto-renewable subscription at $9.99/year. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. AgentShell Pro (Lifetime) is available as a one-time purchase at $24.99. Privacy Policy: https://agentshell.dev/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ---

About

HQSSH

This app provides a robust SSH terminal and SFTP file manager for remote server management. It integrates AI CLI tools and offers persistent sessions that sync across devices. Securely manage SSH keys and automate tasks with this developer-focused tool.

Highlights
  • Full SSH terminal with 256-color xterm emulation
  • SFTP file manager for browsing and transferring files
  • AI CLI tool integration (Claude Code, Codex, Aider)
  • Persistent sessions that survive disconnects
  • Secure SSH key management (ED25519, RSA, ECDSA)
  • Command snippets and task automation
  • Multi-system dashboard for managing servers
Features
Read full description

HQSSH - SSH Terminal and File Manager HQSSH is an SSH terminal, SFTP file manager, and AI CLI tool launcher built for developers and DevOps engineers who manage remote servers from their phone. Full terminal. Full file browser. AI tool integration. Persistent sessions that survive disconnects and follow you across devices. SSH Terminal 256-color xterm emulation with a keyboard toolbar designed for mobile. ESC, TAB, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+D, Ctrl+Z, and arrow keys are always one tap away. Portrait and landscape support. This is a real terminal — not a stripped-down shell. SFTP File Manager Browse, upload, download, rename, and delete files on your remote systems. Create directories, change permissions with a chmod dialog, preview text files, and share downloads. Transfer progress tracking with cancel support. AI CLI Tools Launch Claude Code, Codex, or Aider directly from your phone. HQSSH discovers git repositories on your remote systems, detects which AI tools are installed, and lets you launch them in the right project directory with one tap. Manage AI-assisted development sessions on the go. Persistent Sessions Start a session on your phone. Pick it up later on another device. Sessions survive disconnects and device switches with full scrollback history. Multi-client attach lets you share sessions across devices simultaneously. SSH Key Management Generate ED25519, RSA, or ECDSA keys directly in the app. Import existing private keys. Keys are stored securely in the iOS Keychain. Password and private key authentication supported. Command Snippets Save frequently used commands as snippets — global or per-system. Organize by category, set auto-execute, and run with one tap. Includes built-in snippets for common operations. Task Automation Define reusable tasks at the system or project level. Run deployments, health checks, or any shell command with one tap. Review execution history and output logs. Multi-System Dashboard Manage all your servers from a single screen. Active sessions, quick-launch tasks, and recent run history at a glance. Import systems in bulk from your ~/.ssh/config file. Jump host support for bastion connections. Secure by Default SSH credentials encrypted with the iOS Keychain. Host key verification with fingerprint tracking. No data sent to third-party services. Supports any SSH-accessible system running Linux or macOS.

Screenshots

AgentShell4 screens
HQSSH4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AgentShell at Free against HQSSH's $5.99. HQSSH's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On rating, 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

AgentShell is free to download; HQSSH costs $5.99 up front. AgentShell sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. HQSSH asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for AgentShell against 5.0 for HQSSH. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
AgentShell versus HQSSH: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAgentShellHQSSH
PriceFree — better$5.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequency—Monthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVijay BudhramGelotto

Customer experience

AgentShell

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

HQSSH

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

AgentShell

Subscriptions1
  • AgentShell Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • AgentShell Life$24.99
None

HQSSH

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AgentShell free?
AgentShell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HQSSH free?
HQSSH costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AgentShell or HQSSH?
AgentShell and HQSSH are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do AgentShell or HQSSH have ads?
Neither AgentShell nor HQSSH shows ads.

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