Comparison

AgentShell vs OpenLens

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

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

AgentShell4 screens
OpenLens4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenLens at none against AgentShell's 2. OpenLens also leads on ratings volume (5 vs 1). AgentShell's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 78%). 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. AgentShell sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. OpenLens asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AgentShell holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenLens has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of AgentShell's written reviews are positive against 78% of OpenLens's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
AgentShell versus OpenLens: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAgentShellOpenLens
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.6 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better
Update frequency—Every 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVijay BudhramMartyn Pekala

Customer experience

AgentShell

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

OpenLens

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral22.2%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

AgentShell

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

OpenLens

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AgentShell free?
AgentShell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenLens free?
OpenLens is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AgentShell or OpenLens?
AgentShell is rated higher. AgentShell averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while OpenLens averages 4.6 from 5 ratings.
Do AgentShell or OpenLens have ads?
Neither AgentShell nor OpenLens shows ads.

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