Comparison

MonkeySSH vs XTerm

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

Head to head
About

MonkeySSH

This app provides a mobile SSH workspace for agentic coding, allowing users to connect to servers, manage remote windows, and resume coding sessions. It features a robust terminal, file browsing, port forwarding, and secure SSH key management for modern remote development.

Highlights
  • Mobile terminal with advanced features
  • MonkeyMux and tmux remote window management
  • Agent workflows for coding assistants
  • SFTP workspace for file management
  • SSH key management
  • Port forwarding with in-app browser
  • Local-first security with biometrics
Features
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Run coding agents on your own servers from iPhone or iPad. MonkeySSH puts native agent conversations, a full SSH terminal, MonkeyMux or tmux windows, and SFTP in one remote workspace. Choose the right view for each task: - Chat with supported agents in native windows with streaming replies, tool progress, plans, diffs, permission prompts, images, audio, attachments, slash commands, and session history. Sign in, answer agent forms, view tool output, and choose MCP servers and extra working directories when supported. Model and mode controls depend on the agent. Get notified when an agent finishes or needs permission. - Switch to the full terminal whenever you need direct CLI control, xterm-256color, inline images, gestures, modifier keys, function keys, macros, or IME-friendly typing. Swipe up on toolbar keys for shortcuts and symbols. - Keep agent and shell work running in persistent MonkeyMux windows. Reconnect, switch windows, and share the same session with your desktop. - Launch Claude Code, Copilot CLI, Codex, OpenCode, Antigravity, Cursor Agent, Pi, Hermes, OpenClaw, Grok Build, and Muse Code, find recent project-scoped sessions, and save launch presets per host. - Manage agent CLIs and ACP adapters on a host with Agent Management. Check versions, install or repair supported packages, and update supported installations together. See account usage, remaining allowances, and reset times when available. A dot on the terminal menu flags available updates. - Browse, upload, download, create, and edit remote files over SFTP. - Generate or import Ed25519 and RSA keys, verify host keys, use jump hosts, and cancel slow connection attempts. - Forward remote ports, manage live tunnels, and open forwarded services in the in-app browser. - Save snippets, macros, home-screen shortcuts, and per-host startup settings for repeat work. Your hosts, keys, snippets, and settings stay on your device. PIN and biometric lock are available, and MonkeySSH does not require cloud sync. Optional analytics and crash reports are off by default and exclude commands, terminal output, paths, hostnames, usernames, clipboard contents, and credentials. SSH, terminal, SFTP, one connected native chat, and the choice between native and terminal agent windows are free. MonkeySSH Pro adds parallel native chats with instant switching and session forks, agent launch presets and recent-session discovery, Agent Management and supported-agent usage rings in MonkeyMux, auto-connect automation, encrypted transfers and migration packages, and host-specific themes. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://github.com/depollsoft/MonkeySSH/blob/main/docs/privacy-policy.md

About

XTerm

Features
Read full description

Flow SSH Client: Flow SSH Client helps you connect to and manage remote Linux servers directly from your mobile device. SSH CONNECTIONS: Connect to servers using SSH with support for password and key-based authentication. HOST MANAGEMENT: Create hosts, organize them into groups, and use tags to keep connections easy to manage. TERMINAL ACCESS: Open terminal sessions, run commands, and manage your servers from anywhere. VAULTS: Store connection information, SSH keys, and credentials for quick access. PROXY & HOST CHAINING: Configure proxies and host chaining to connect through intermediate servers when needed. CONNECTION HISTORY: View recent connections and reconnect to previously accessed hosts quickly. Terms of use: https://fuentechsoft.com/about/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://fuentechsoft.com/about/privacy/

Screenshots

MonkeySSH4 screens
XTerm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: XTerm at none against MonkeySSH's 2. MonkeySSH's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. MonkeySSH sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. XTerm asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MonkeySSH ships an update every 2 days, XTerm monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
MonkeySSH versus XTerm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonkeySSHXTerm
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB95 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDepollsoftFuentech Company Limited

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MonkeySSH

Subscriptions2
  • MonkeySSH Pro (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • MonkeySSH Pro (Annual)$49.991 Year
None

XTerm

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MonkeySSH free?
MonkeySSH is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XTerm free?
XTerm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MonkeySSH or XTerm have ads?
XTerm shows ads; MonkeySSH does not.
Which is updated more often, MonkeySSH or XTerm?
MonkeySSH ships an update every 2 days, and XTerm monthly. Most recently, MonkeySSH was updated on October 10, 2026 and XTerm on October 11, 2026.

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