Comparison

Kinsman SSH vs BalauDeck

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

Head to head
About

Kinsman SSH

Connect to your servers securely using password or private key authentication. Offers features like saving multiple connections, importing keys, and a clean terminal interface. Includes remote control capabilities for Mac terminals and a data bridge feature.

Highlights
  • Save multiple SSH connections
  • Password and private key authentication
  • Import keys via Files, AirDrop, QR code
  • Full interactive terminal
  • Secure credential storage
  • Universal Clipboard support
  • Mac terminal remote control
Features
Read full description

Kinsman SSH is a focused, no-nonsense SSH client for iPhone and iPad. Connect to your servers securely with password or private key authentication. Features: - Save multiple SSH host connections - Password and private key authentication - Import keys via Files, AirDrop, QR code scan, or directly from your Mac over local WiFi - Full interactive terminal with command input - Secure credential storage in Keychain - Universal Clipboard support — copy on Mac, paste in app - Copy terminal output with one tap - Clean, dark terminal interface - Works on iPhone and iPad 5 free connection slots included. Purchase more as needed. Remote Control Pair with Kinsman Terminal on your Mac by scanning a QR code, then drive a terminal tab from your phone — switch and search tabs, send one command to several at once, take a screenshot of the Mac's terminal, and reuse recent commands. Data Bridge Use your iPhone's cellular connection from your Mac when the Wi-Fi you are both on has no working internet. Protected by a PIN, with a live traffic log, block and allow rules, and an optional data cap. Runs only while the app is open. VNC Screen Sharing is available as an in-app purchase.

About

BalauDeck

Manage your servers with this all-in-one client. It supports SSH, SFTP, tunnels, and MySQL/MariaDB databases, offering a real interactive shell and file browser. Features include split panes, resilient connections, and cross-device sync for seamless server management.

Highlights
  • SSH terminal with interactive shell
  • SFTP browser with file management
  • SSH tunnel port forwarding
  • MySQL/MariaDB client with SQL editor
  • Split panes and full-screen modes
  • Resilient connections with auto-reconnect
  • Cross-device sync for connections
Features
Read full description

BalauDeck is an all-in-one client for the servers you already run — SSH, SFTP, SSH tunnels, and MySQL/MariaDB — in one fast, native app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. • SSH terminal — a real interactive shell (xterm), password or key auth, host-key verification, and an on-screen key bar for the keys phones don't have. • SFTP browser — upload, download, rename, delete, mkdir, and change permissions (chmod), with an option to browse elevated. • SSH tunnels — forward a local port through a server to reach an internal service. • MySQL/MariaDB client — schema browser, SQL editor with highlighting, a results grid you can edit inline, table designer, and SQL import/export. • Split panes & full screen — arrange several sessions side by side, or maximize one to fill the display. • Resilient connections — keepalive detects drops, with reconnect and optional tmux session persistence so you pick up exactly where you left off. • Cross-device sync — export an encrypted, passphrase-protected bundle of your connections and import it on another device. Nothing is stored on our servers. Your connections and credentials stay on your device (passwords and keys live in the system keychain). BalauDeck has no account, no tracking, and no ads.

Screenshots

Kinsman SSH4 screens
BalauDeck3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BalauDeck at none against Kinsman SSH's 2. BalauDeck also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Kinsman SSH sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. BalauDeck 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 Kinsman SSH against 5.0 for BalauDeck. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kinsman SSH ships an update fortnightly, BalauDeck every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
Kinsman SSH versus BalauDeck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKinsman SSHBalauDeck
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJames KinsmanOKDII SOLUTIONS

Customer experience

Kinsman SSH

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

BalauDeck

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Kinsman SSH

One-time2
  • 5 Connection Slots$1.99
  • 10 Connection Slots$2.99
None

BalauDeck

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kinsman SSH free?
Kinsman SSH is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BalauDeck free?
BalauDeck is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kinsman SSH or BalauDeck?
Kinsman SSH and BalauDeck are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Kinsman SSH or BalauDeck have ads?
Neither Kinsman SSH nor BalauDeck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kinsman SSH or BalauDeck?
Kinsman SSH ships an update fortnightly, and BalauDeck every 5 days. Most recently, Kinsman SSH was updated on October 24, 2026 and BalauDeck on October 25, 2026.

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