Comparison

URLens vs iTerm2 Buddy

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

Head to head
About

URLens

Features
Read full description

URLens instantly detects URLs in the real world using your camera. Point your iPhone at any text — business cards, magazines, screens, posters — and tap to open any URL it finds. All detected URLs are saved to your history for later. Features: • Real-time URL detection through your camera • Tap any detected URL to open it instantly • Automatic scan history — never lose a URL again • Clean, minimal interface • Works offline — no internet needed for detection

About

iTerm2 Buddy

This app allows you to remotely monitor and interact with your iTerm2 terminal sessions on macOS from your iPhone or iPad. It offers live terminal viewing, input control, and AI assistance for executing commands and managing your sessions securely.

Highlights
  • Live terminal session viewing
  • Remote command input and control
  • AI agent for session management
  • Push notifications for agent replies
  • Voice input with on-device transcription
  • End-to-end encrypted communication
Features
Read full description

iTerm2 Buddy connects your iPhone or iPad to iTerm2, the popular terminal for macOS. Once paired with your Mac, it lets you keep an eye on your terminal and act on it from the couch or on the go. REQUIRES A MAC iTerm2 Buddy is a companion app. It works only after pairing with iTerm2 and the free companion plugin on your Mac. Pairing takes a few seconds: your Mac shows a QR code, you scan it, and confirm a short code on both devices. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Live terminal: watch a session update in real time, exactly as it looks on your Mac, including colors, inline images, and full-screen apps like vim, htop, and less. - Type and control: bring up a keyboard with the terminal keys you need (Esc, Control-C, Tab, arrows, function keys) and send input to a session. A composer lets you write longer commands and send them all at once. - Chat with an AI agent: message an assistant that runs on your Mac and can act on your sessions, open windows, run commands, review changes, and report back. Approve sensitive actions right from your phone. - Notifications: get a push when the agent replies or needs your approval, so you can step away and return when it matters. - Voice input: dictate messages with on-device transcription. Your audio never leaves your phone. PRIVACY AND SECURITY Terminal content shared between your Mac and your phone is end-to-end encrypted with the Noise protocol, so only your own devices can read it. There is no account and no advertising, and the app includes no third-party tracking. FREE iTerm2 and iTerm2 Buddy are free.

Screenshots

URLens4 screens
iTerm2 Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iTerm2 Buddy at none against URLens's 1. URLens'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. URLens sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iTerm2 Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
URLens versus iTerm2 Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterURLensiTerm2 Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB10 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerjesus Rubio SainzGEORGE NACHMAN

In-app purchases

1 purchases

URLens

One-time1
  • URLens Pro$3.99
None

iTerm2 Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is URLens free?
URLens is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iTerm2 Buddy free?
iTerm2 Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do URLens or iTerm2 Buddy have ads?
Neither URLens nor iTerm2 Buddy shows ads.

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