Comparison

Portable Dev vs Shellular

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

Head to head
About

Portable Dev

This app provides a full software development environment on your phone, connecting to your computer for code execution. It integrates AI for coding assistance, GitHub, and testing, allowing you to build and manage projects from anywhere.

Highlights
  • Remote code execution on your computer
  • AI-powered coding assistance
  • GitHub repository management
  • Live localhost servers
  • Automated Playwright testing
  • AI-generated assets
Features
Read full description

Computer, meet Phone. Start Portable.dev on your machine, install on iOS, and get a dedicated drop-in replacement for Claude /remote-control. Free, open-source, batteries included. Works with your Claude Code, and your data never touches our servers. RUNS ON YOUR OWN COMPUTER • Install the free Portable launcher on your Mac, Windows, or Linux machine • Scan a QR code once to pair your phone • Your code, your repos, and your toolchain stay on your machine • Pick up on your phone exactly where you left off at your desk BRING YOUR OWN CLAUDE • Connect your own Claude (Anthropic) account — your subscription or API key • No extra fees and no Portable subscription — the app is free • AI calls go straight from your machine to Claude POWERED BY CLAUDE AI • Multi-turn AI conversations for complex coding tasks • Claude understands your entire codebase and project context • Natural-language commands to write, refactor, and debug code • Voice input for hands-free coding on the go COMPLETE GITHUB INTEGRATION • Browse repositories, branches, issues, and pull requests • Create and review PRs with AI assistance • Monitor CI/CD pipelines and workflow runs • Manage issues and project boards • Connect with your own GitHub account A REAL DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT • Live localhost servers with shareable public tunnel URLs • Install dependencies and run real build commands • Use the full toolchain already on your machine (Docker, package managers, CLIs) • Multi-repository workspace, persistent across sessions AI-POWERED BROWSER TESTING • Automated Playwright testing driven by AI • Step-by-step • Debug visual issues directly from your phone ASSET PIPELINE • AI-generated images and videos • Iterate on media assets with natural language • Drop assets BUILT FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPERS Portable isn't just for quick fixes. It's a complete development environment for engineers shipping production code every day • Works with any framework: React, Next.js, Node.js,Python, and more • Supports monorepos and microservices architectures • Seamless desing • Your work syncs through GitHub and your own machine PERFECT FOR • Quick bug fixes and code reviews on the go • Keeping projects moving during commutes • Exploring an • Pair programming with AI when you're stuck on a problem GETTING STARTED 1. Install the free Portable launcher on your computer 2. Run it and 3. Start building — from anywhere Terms of Use: https://app.portable.dev/tos.html Privacy Policy: https://app.portable.dev/privacy-policy.html

About

Shellular

Connect your phone to your development computer for a full terminal emulator, AI coding agents, and a file manager with Git integration. Access an in-app browser with DevTools and monitor system performance remotely. No SSH setup needed; simply scan a QR code.

Highlights
  • Encrypted remote connection
  • Full terminal emulator
  • AI coding agent integration
  • File manager with Git
  • In-app browser with DevTools
  • Real-time system monitoring
Features
Read full description

Shellular lets you code from your phone, using the computer or VPS you already develop on. Run AI coding agents like Claude Code, Codex, Copilot, OpenCode, and Pi. Use a full terminal, browse and edit files, review Git changes, open localhost, debug websites, and keep an eye on your machine — all from your phone. Getting started takes seconds: open Shellular on your computer, scan a QR code, and you're connected. No SSH setup. Just your development environment, in your pocket. Secure, fast, and built for developers who don't want to be tied to their desk.

Screenshots

Portable Dev4 screens
Shellular4 screens

Verdict

The call

Portable Dev and Shellular both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Shellular's written reviews are positive against 50% of Portable Dev's. Shellular also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). Portable Dev's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.6). On price, rating, update cadence 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. Portable Dev sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $34.99 per month. Shellular 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 Portable Dev against 5.0 for Shellular. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shellular has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Portable Dev's written reviews are positive against 100% of Shellular's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Portable Dev ships an update every 2 days, Shellular every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Portable Dev versus Shellular: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPortable DevShellular
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB23 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperVolter AIFoxbiz Software Private Limited

Customer experience

Portable Dev

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Shellular

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Portable Dev

Subscriptions1
  • Portable Pro Monthly$34.991 Month
None

Shellular

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Portable Dev free?
Portable Dev is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shellular free?
Shellular is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Portable Dev or Shellular?
Portable Dev and Shellular are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 6 ratings respectively.
Do Portable Dev or Shellular have ads?
Neither Portable Dev nor Shellular shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Portable Dev or Shellular?
Portable Dev ships an update every 2 days, and Shellular every 4 days. Most recently, Portable Dev was updated on September 21, 2026 and Shellular on September 23, 2026.

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