Comparison

Hermit SSH vs Orka

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

Head to head
About

Hermit SSH

A focused SSH client for developers interacting with AI coding assistants on remote machines. Connect to your dev server, manage tmux sessions, and use configurable soft keys and voice input for efficient command execution.

Highlights
  • SSH connections with ed25519 private key authentication
  • Automatic tmux session attach
  • Configurable soft key ribbon bar
  • Voice input with iOS dictation
  • xterm.js terminal rendering
  • iCloud Drive sync
  • Private keys stored securely in iOS Keychain
Features
Read full description

Hermit is a focused SSH client built for developers who work with AI coding assistants on remote machines. Connect to your dev server, attach to tmux sessions, and interact using configurable soft keys and voice input. Unlike general-purpose terminal apps, Hermit is designed around a specific workflow: you have an AI CLI tool running in a tmux session on a remote machine, and you want to monitor and interact with it from your phone. Five soft keys — 1, 2, Enter, Escape, and a microphone — give you everything you need to approve tool calls, reject changes, send commands, and dictate instructions. KEY FEATURES * SSH connections with ed25519 private key authentication * Automatic tmux session attach on connect * Configurable soft key ribbon bar optimized for AI coding workflows * Voice input with iOS dictation — speak your instructions, proofread, and send * xterm.js terminal rendering with proper color and escape code support * Automatic iCloud Drive sync — your hosts and sessions available on all devices * Dark mode interface designed for terminal use * Private keys stored securely in the iOS Keychain BUILT FOR AI CODING WORKFLOWS The default soft keys map directly to common AI CLI approval patterns: 1 — Accept (approve tool calls and edits) 2 — Reject Enter — Confirm multi-line input Escape — Cancel or interrupt Mic — Open voice input for longer instructions OPEN SOURCE Hermit is open source so you can review exactly what runs on your device and how your SSH credentials are handled. No analytics, no tracking, no data collection.

About

Orka

Features
Read full description

Orka is a native iPhone and iPad client for monitoring and managing self-hosted Coolify installations. Check the health of your infrastructure at a glance, follow deployments, and act when a resource needs attention. Orka connects directly to the trusted HTTPS server you configure, with no relay service or Orka account. MONITOR - See installation, server, and resource health in one overview - Browse projects, environments, applications, databases, and services - Review active and recent deployments, status, details, and logs - Switch between multiple Coolify installations MANAGE - Deploy, rebuild, start, stop, and restart supported resources - Create and configure projects, applications, databases, services, and infrastructure - Manage environment variables, storage, scheduled tasks, tags, and backups - Move supported resources between projects and environments - Use permission-aware controls that explain when a token needs more access PRIVATE BY ARCHITECTURE - API tokens are stored in the device Keychain - Coolify API traffic travels directly between your device and your server - No analytics, advertising, tracking SDKs, or persisted API response cache - Sensitive and destructive operations use confirmations and device authentication where appropriate EXPLORE FOR FREE - Use the populated local demo without an account, API token, network connection, or subscription - Demo requests and changes stay on the device and reset when Orka is relaunched SUBSCRIPTION Connecting and managing your own Coolify installations requires Orka Annual. New subscribers receive a 7-day free trial, then pay €9.99 per year; pricing may vary by region. Payment is charged to your Apple Account, and the subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://orka.didac.dev/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ REQUIREMENTS Orka requires iOS 17 or later, a trusted HTTPS Coolify installation, and a Coolify API token. Available features depend on the permissions granted to that token. Coolify v4 is supported; older versions are best effort. Orka is an independent client built for the official Coolify API. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Coolify or CoolLabs.

Screenshots

Hermit SSH4 screens
Orka4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hermit SSH at none against Orka's 1. Orka's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Orka sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $8.99 per year. Hermit SSH asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hermit SSH ships an update monthly, Orka every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hermit SSH versus Orka: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHermit SSHOrka
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDave StantonDidac Sabates Duran

In-app purchases

None

Hermit SSH

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Orka

Subscriptions1
  • Orka Annual7 Days trial$8.991 Year

Questions

Is Hermit SSH free?
Hermit SSH is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Orka free?
Orka is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hermit SSH or Orka have ads?
Neither Hermit SSH nor Orka shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hermit SSH or Orka?
Hermit SSH ships an update monthly, and Orka every 2 weeks. Most recently, Hermit SSH was updated on October 16, 2026 and Orka on October 14, 2026.

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