Comparison

MTerm vs Shepherd

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

Shepherd

This app provides a fast and secure SSH client for accessing servers directly from your mobile device. It offers features like saved connections, custom command shortcuts, and extensive theming options for a personalized experience.

Highlights
  • Fast SSH client
  • Save server connections
  • Custom command shortcuts
  • Extensive terminal themes
  • Face ID protected keys
  • Multiple simultaneous sessions
Features
Read full description

Mochi is the place to control your AI coding agents from your iPhone. The agents run in herdr on your server. Mochi shows what each one is doing and takes you to it when it needs you. CONTROL YOUR AGENTS WITH HERDR • Live Activity on the lock screen: which agents are working and which are waiting for you • A notification when an agent is blocked or done, even when Mochi is closed • Tap it to open that agent's pane and answer from the chat input • Swipe to switch herdr tabs A REAL TERMINAL UNDERNEATH Mochi is a fast, beautiful SSH client built on the Ghostty terminal engine — a real terminal emulator in your pocket, not a toy. SSH INTO ANY SERVER Save your connections and jump into any of them in a tap. Password and key auth, custom ports, works great over Tailscale. FIRE COMMANDS IN ONE TAP Build your own shortcut groups: tmux prefixes, Ctrl combos, slash commands, whole snippets with Enter. The keyboard toolbar puts esc, tab, ctrl and ⌘ right above the keys — no more fighting the mobile keyboard. MAKE IT YOURS 500+ built-in terminal themes with search and light/dark filters. Real monospace fonts (JetBrains Mono and more), adjustable size, pinch to zoom in session. LOCK KEYS BEHIND FACE ID Private keys live in the iOS Keychain. Flip one switch and every use of a key requires Face ID. BUILT FOR ENGINEERS • Ghostty-powered terminal emulation — fast, correct, modern • Multiple simultaneous sessions • Native iOS design that feels at home on iOS 26 • No accounts, no tracking — your servers are your business

Screenshots

MTerm4 screens
Shepherd4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shepherd at none against MTerm's 3. Shepherd also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). MTerm's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 days). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Shepherd 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 MTerm against 5.0 for Shepherd. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MTerm ships an update every 3 days, Shepherd every 6 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MTerm versus Shepherd: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMTermShepherd
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB61 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerkazuki oinumaEgor Kolesnikov

Customer experience

MTerm

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

Shepherd

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
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
None

Shepherd

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MTerm free?
MTerm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shepherd free?
Shepherd is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MTerm or Shepherd?
MTerm and Shepherd are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do MTerm or Shepherd have ads?
Neither MTerm nor Shepherd shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MTerm or Shepherd?
MTerm ships an update every 3 days, and Shepherd every 6 days. Most recently, MTerm was updated on November 5, 2026 and Shepherd on November 5, 2026.

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