Comparison

TermCOW vs Shelify SSH Remote Connect

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

Head to head
About

TermCOW

This app provides a stable SSH terminal experience for mobile devices, allowing users to connect to remote machines with features like pan and zoom for a desktop-class interface. It supports standard SSH protocols, SFTP, and secure credential storage.

Highlights
  • SSH with password and key authentication
  • SFTP file transfer
  • Encrypted credential vault
  • Pan and zoom for stable terminal view
  • Customizable multi-state shortcuts
  • Port forwarding
  • Jump host/bastion support
Features
Read full description

TermCOW is an SSH terminal for developers, sysadmins, and anyone who wants to do their work anywhere. I originally built it so I could connect to my machine at home running AI coding agents in tmux from my phone. On a phone, it’s usually either tiny unreadable text to fit the whole terminal, or confusing text reflow, flashing, and wrapping when you zoom in. TermCOW uses pan and zoom instead of text reflow, so the terminal stays stable while you work. But if you like text reflow, TermCOW supports that too. All standard SSH features are free, including password/key auth, SFTP, and encrypted credential storage. Features • SSH with password and key auth • SFTP file transfer • Encrypted credential vault • Pan and zoom for a stable desktop-class terminal • Customizable multi-state shortcuts • Port forwarding • Jump host / bastion support • Back up settings to the TermCOW service • Premium jump host service for private IP access Clean, functional, minimal UI that stays out of your way while you do real work with a desktop-class terminal from your phone. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Shelify SSH Remote Connect

Features
Read full description

Your servers, one tap away. Shelify is a fast, no-nonsense SSH client for your phone. Connect to a server, run what you need, and get on with your day — no account, no cloud sync, no setup ritual. SSH IN SECONDS Save a host once and reconnect with a single tap. Password and private key authentication, custom ports, and standard SSH options — all in a form that takes under a minute to fill in. A REAL TERMINAL Full-screen terminal with proper key handling, an extra key row for Ctrl, Tab, Esc and arrows, and pinch-to-zoom text sizing. Colors, cursor and control sequences behave the way you expect them to. SNIPPETS AND SAVED COMMANDS Store the commands you type over and over — deployments, log tails, service restarts — and run them in one tap instead of retyping them on a phone keyboard. MULTIPLE SESSIONS Keep several servers open at the same time and switch between them without dropping a connection. KEYS STAY ON YOUR DEVICE Private keys, passwords and host details are stored in the device keychain. Nothing is uploaded, nothing is synced to a server we control. WORKS WHEN YOU NEED IT Import an existing key, generate a new one, or paste one in. Connection details are yours to export and back up whenever you want. NO ACCOUNT REQUIRED No sign-up, no email, no profile. Install the app and connect. Shelify is built for people who administer servers and want a terminal in their pocket that doesn't get in the way. Shelify is free to use. Some features are available with Premium. — Premium is an auto-renewable subscription. It renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. Shelify SSH Remote Connect is a terminal client. It does not provide server administration advice, and you are responsible for the commands you run on your own systems. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://shelify.com/privacy/ App Terms: https://shelify.com/terms/

Screenshots

TermCOW4 screens
Shelify SSH Remote Connect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TermCOW at fortnightly against Shelify SSH Remote Connect's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. TermCOW sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Shelify SSH Remote Connect sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TermCOW ships an update fortnightly, Shelify SSH Remote Connect monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
TermCOW versus Shelify SSH Remote Connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTermCOWShelify SSH Remote Connect
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.116.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size149 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFynetiq LLCSELECTA LAB LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TermCOW

One-time1
  • TermCOW Pro Upgrade$9.99
2 purchases

Shelify SSH Remote Connect

Subscriptions2
  • Saved Hosts & Sessions - Month$1.991 Month
  • Snippets & Commands - Yearly$8.991 Year

Questions

Is TermCOW free?
TermCOW is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shelify SSH Remote Connect free?
Shelify SSH Remote Connect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TermCOW or Shelify SSH Remote Connect have ads?
Neither TermCOW nor Shelify SSH Remote Connect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TermCOW or Shelify SSH Remote Connect?
TermCOW ships an update fortnightly, and Shelify SSH Remote Connect monthly. Most recently, TermCOW was updated on October 1, 2026 and Shelify SSH Remote Connect on October 5, 2026.

Other comparisons