Comparison

MTerm vs shellin

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

Head to head
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/

About

shellin

Access and control your Mac terminal from your iPhone or iPad. Monitor AI coding agents, run commands, and stay connected to your workflow remotely via an encrypted peer-to-peer connection.

Highlights
  • View Mac terminal live on iPhone/iPad
  • Monitor AI coding agents remotely
  • Real-time interaction with keyboard input
  • Connect without SSH setup
  • End-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer session
Features
Read full description

shellin lets you view and interact with your Mac terminal from iPhone or iPad. Run the shellin CLI on your Mac, open the iOS app, and your terminal appears live over an encrypted peer-to-peer connection. Whether you are running Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, or a long command in Terminal, shellin helps you stay connected when you step away from your desk. Check progress, approve actions, and send commands right from your phone or tablet. An active shellin subscription is required to connect to your Mac from the iOS app. Why shellin  • View your Mac terminal live from iPhone or iPad  • Monitor AI coding agents while you are away  • Interact in real time with keyboard input and terminal output  • Connect without SSH setup, port forwarding, or firewall changes  • End-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer session  How it works  1. Install the shellin app on iPhone or iPad  2. Choose and activate a shellin subscription in the app  3. Install the shellin CLI on your Mac  4. Sign in with a one-time key  5. Run shellin in the terminal you want to access  6. Open the app and connect to your live session  shellin is built for people who want lightweight remote access to an existing Mac terminal session, especially when monitoring AI-assisted workflows on the go. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy Policy: https://shellin.dev/privacy

Screenshots

MTerm4 screens
shellin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: MTerm at free with in-app purchases against shellin's subscription. MTerm also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. MTerm sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and shellin sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MTerm ships an update every 3 days, shellin every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
MTerm versus shellin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMTermshellin
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB14 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerkazuki oinumaJoonhyung Cho

Customer experience

MTerm

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

shellin

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

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
2 purchases

shellin

Subscriptions2
  • Shellin Lite7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Shellin Pro$8.991 Month

Questions

Is MTerm free?
MTerm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is shellin free?
shellin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MTerm or shellin?
MTerm and shellin are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do MTerm or shellin have ads?
Neither MTerm nor shellin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MTerm or shellin?
MTerm ships an update every 3 days, and shellin every 10 days. Most recently, MTerm was updated on October 5, 2026 and shellin on October 8, 2026.

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