Comparison

TermCOW vs TermLink

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

TermLink

Features
Read full description

TermLink brings your Mac tmux sessions to iPhone with a real, interactive ANSI terminal—not a screenshot or text dump. Run the free TermLink Agent on your Mac, scan the pairing QR code with this app, and attach to your tmux session from home Wi‑Fi, office networks, or cellular. Your window layout, colors, cursor, and scroll regions stay intact. Vim, htop, lazygit, ncdu, Python REPL, and every other tool in tmux works exactly as it does at your desk. WHY TERMLINK • Real terminal streaming — raw ANSI/VT100 bytes, full ncurses support • Zero network setup — no public IP, port forwarding, VPN, or SSH keys • QR pairing in seconds — one-time token; trusted devices reconnect instantly • End-to-end encrypted — secure P2P connections via Iroh • Attach any tmux session — default or termlink -t mysession on your Mac • Saved Agents — reconnect to paired Macs with one tap BUILT FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN TMUX • Monitor ML training logs and GPU status without opening your laptop • Manage a headless Mac mini or homelab from your phone • Check deploy logs during on-call or incident response • Keep your dev environment on the Mac; use iPhone as a portable terminal • Step away from your desk without losing your session HOW IT WORKS 1. Install the TermLink Mac Agent (free CLI at termlink.vip) 2. Run termlink — it attaches to tmux and displays a pairing QR code 3. Open TermLink on iPhone, tap Scan Pairing QR, and scan the code 4. Your iPhone is added to the Mac's trusted device list 5. Reconnect anytime from Saved Agents — no rescan needed REQUIREMENTS • TermLink Mac Agent (macOS 13+, tmux installed) • iPhone or iPad running iOS 17.5 or later • Camera access for QR pairing (first-time setup only) TermLink Pro is an auto-renewable monthly subscription (vip.termlink.pro.monthly). Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://termlink.vip/privacy.html

Screenshots

TermCOW4 screens
TermLink4 screens

Verdict

The call

TermCOW and TermLink are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 TermLink sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
TermCOW versus TermLink: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTermCOWTermLink
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.1 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size149 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFynetiq LLC治 宋

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TermCOW

One-time1
  • TermCOW Pro Upgrade$9.99
1 purchases

TermLink

Subscriptions1
  • TermLink Pro1 Month trial$4.991 Month

Questions

Is TermCOW free?
TermCOW is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TermLink free?
TermLink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TermCOW or TermLink have ads?
Neither TermCOW nor TermLink shows ads.

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