Comparison

AgentShell vs CodeMote

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

CodeMote

Read full description

CodeMote turns your iPhone and iPad into a real connection to your development machine. Pair in seconds, then run your terminals, manage git, and drive AI coding agents - from anywhere. This isn't a stripped-down mobile editor. CodeMote connects to the full workstation you already have set up, so you get your real environment, your real tools, and your real projects in your pocket. Works with your existing VS Code setup. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Live terminals - open real shells on your machine, with sessions that survive backgrounding and reconnect instantly. - Git, built in - status, diff, commit, push, branches and full history, with zero credentials stored on your phone. - AI coding on the go - kick off and steer AI coding agents while you are away from your desk. - Multiple workspaces - jump between projects and keep long-running tasks alive in the background. - Saved commands - one tap to run the commands you use most. - Persistent sessions - start something on your phone, pick it up on your desktop. BUILT FOR DEVELOPERS - Fast, secure pairing - connect your phone to your machine in seconds. - Your code never leaves your computer - CodeMote is a remote control, not a copy. - Terminal-first, keyboard-friendly, and dark by default - designed for the way you actually work. WHY CODEMOTE Other remote-coding apps give you a chat box bolted onto an AI agent. CodeMote gives you the whole workstation - terminal, git, and AI together - so you can do real work, not just send prompts. Ship a fix from the sofa. Restart a build from the train. Review a diff over coffee. Your dev machine is now wherever you are. Download CodeMote and code from anywhere. A subscription is required to use CodeMote. Terms of Service: https://codemote.caste.work/tos Privacy Policy: https://codemote.caste.work/privacy

Screenshots

AgentShell4 screens
CodeMote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CodeMote at none against AgentShell's 2. CodeMote also leads on chart position (#176 vs unranked). AgentShell's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). 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. CodeMote asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
AgentShell versus CodeMote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAgentShellCodeMote
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank—#176 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVijay BudhramSalvatore Castellitti

In-app purchases

2 purchases

AgentShell

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

CodeMote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AgentShell free?
AgentShell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CodeMote free?
CodeMote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do AgentShell or CodeMote have ads?
Neither AgentShell nor CodeMote shows ads.

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