Comparison

OpenLens vs Anvil

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Anvil

Features
Read full description

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

OpenLens4 screens
Anvil4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Anvil sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenLens asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
OpenLens versus Anvil: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenLensAnvil
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#191 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartyn Pekala武汉回到未来科技有限公司

In-app purchases

None

OpenLens

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Anvil

One-time1
  • Anvil Pro$4.99

Questions

Is OpenLens free?
OpenLens is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Anvil free?
Anvil is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do OpenLens or Anvil have ads?
Neither OpenLens nor Anvil shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenLens or Anvil?
OpenLens ships an update every 5 days, and Anvil every 6 days. Most recently, OpenLens was updated on October 10, 2026 and Anvil on October 16, 2026.

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