OpenLens vs Anvil
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
OpenLens
This application allows you to remotely control and monitor AI coding sessions from your iPhone. Continue your work seamlessly from your mobile device, manage sessions, and receive real-time updates.
- Remote AI coding session control
- Real-time chat with streaming responses
- Session management (create, delete)
- Switch AI providers and models
- Live progress on Lock Screen/Dynamic Island
- Bonjour/mDNS server discovery
- Save multiple server connections
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OpenLens is a fast, focused iPhone client for OpenCode. Run OpenCode on your computer, then continue the same AI coding session from your phone. Use OpenLens to monitor progress, reply quickly, and stay in control when you are away from your desk. What you can do with OpenLens: - Connect instantly to nearby OpenCode servers with Bonjour/mDNS discovery - Save multiple server connections and reconnect automatically - Chat in real time with streaming responses - View and manage sessions, including creating and deleting sessions - Switch AI providers and models directly from the app - Review agent activity steps while work is in progress - Respond to permission prompts and interactive questions from the server - See live progress on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island with Live Activities Built for real workflows: - One session across terminal, web, and iPhone - Reliable reconnect behavior when network conditions change - Optional password-protected server access
Anvil
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Anvil is a pocket-sized toolbox of 17 everyday developer utilities. Every tool processes its input on your device. No account, no ads, no tracking, and no app backend. FORMAT & DECODE • JSON Formatter — beautify, minify, validate • Base64 — encode / decode text • URL — percent-encode / decode • JWT Decoder — inspect header & payload (local only) GENERATE • UUID — batch v4 identifiers • Hash — MD5 / SHA-1 / SHA-256 / SHA-512 • Random String — passwords & tokens • QR Code — share or save CONVERT • Number Base — bin / oct / dec / hex • Unix Time — epoch ↔ human date • Cron — explain expressions • Unicode — text ↔ \u escapes TEXT • Regex Tester — live matches & groups • Text Diff — compare two snippets • Case Converter — camel / snake / kebab … • Text Analyzer — characters, words, lines • List Comparer — intersection, union & diff SMART PASTE Copy something, open Anvil, and it points you to the right tool with your content already filled in. PRIVACY FIRST Tool inputs are processed on-device and are never uploaded. Anvil has no account, ads, analytics, or app backend. Optional Pro purchase and restore use Apple StoreKit. ANVIL PRO — one-time unlock, no subscription • Share Extension — run tools on text shared from any app • Shortcuts & Siri • Clipboard History • Optional Smart Paste auto-open (off by default) One-time purchase, no subscription.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenLens at none against Anvil's 1. OpenLens also leads on chart position (#191 vs unranked). Anvil's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Anvil sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenLens asks for nothing beyond the download.
OpenLens ships an update every 5 days, Anvil every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | OpenLens | Anvil |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #191 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Martyn Pekala | 武汉回到未来科技有限公司 |
In-app purchases
OpenLens
No in-app purchases
Anvil
- Anvil Pro$4.99









