Comparison

SSHaker vs knock(1)

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

Head to head
About

SSHaker

Features
Read full description

SSHaker is a powerful, modern SSH and SFTP client designed for developers, system administrators, and power users who need a secure and efficient way to manage their remote servers. Built with security as a priority, SSHaker stores all your profiles and keys locally on your device, protected by platform-grade encryption (Keychain/Keystore) and biometric authentication. Key Features: • Full Terminal Emulator — Xterm-compatible terminal with support for all standard escape sequences. • Secure Storage — Credentials and private keys are never stored in plain text. • Biometric Lock — Protect your sessions and keys with Face ID or Fingerprint. • Script Management — Automate common tasks with a powerful script runner. Execute scripts across multiple hosts simultaneously. • SFTP Integration — Browse, upload, and download files with ease. • Jump Hosts — Connect to servers behind firewalls via SSH tunneling. • Customizable Themes — Multiple terminal themes and font sizes to suit your preference. • SSH Key Management — Generate, import, and manage Ed25519 and RSA keys. Auto-create and install keys on your servers. • Local Privacy — No account required. Your data never leaves your device except via your own encrypted backups. SSHaker Pro unlocks unlimited profiles, unlimited SSH keys, jump host support, multi-host script execution, custom terminal themes, and more.

About

knock(1)

This utility app allows you to remotely open firewall ports on your server using a saved sequence of connection attempts from your iPhone. It supports TCP or UDP for each port and provides live feedback on the connection status.

Highlights
  • Save and reuse multiple host configurations
  • Per-port TCP or UDP selection
  • Configurable inter-packet delay
  • Live per-port result display
  • Native SwiftUI interface
  • No tracking or analytics
Features
Read full description

Knock is a minimal, native port-knocking client for iOS. Open ports in your firewall - SSH, VPN, admin panels - by sending a saved sequence from your iPhone. Save named configurations with a host, a list of ports, a delay, and a timeout. Each port can be independently TCP or UDP. Run the sequence with a single tap and watch each knock's result stream in live. FEATURES • Save and reuse multiple host configurations • Per-port TCP or UDP selection • Configurable inter-packet delay and socket timeout • Live per-port result display • Clean SwiftUI interface, native look and feel • No tracking, no analytics, no accounts HOW IT WORKS Port knocking is a technique for opening firewall ports on demand: your server watches for a specific sequence of connection attempts (for example, TCP/7000, UDP/8000, TCP/9000), and only opens a protected service like SSH after seeing the right pattern. knock(1) lets you send those sequences from your phone, allowing you to connect to your servers on the go. COMPATIBLE knock(1)'s behavior matches the reference jvinet/knock client - if your server runs knockd, knock(1) works out of the box. PRIVACY knock(1) connects only to the hosts you configure. It does not send telemetry, does not use analytics SDKs, and does not require an account. Your saved configurations stay on your device.

Screenshots

SSHaker4 screens
knock(1)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: SSHaker at 3 against knock(1)'s 1. SSHaker also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SSHaker ships an update monthly, knock(1) every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
SSHaker versus knock(1): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSSHakerknock(1)
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB3 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperRichard LymanJeffrey Cousens

In-app purchases

None

SSHaker

No in-app purchases

None

knock(1)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SSHaker free?
SSHaker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is knock(1) free?
knock(1) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SSHaker or knock(1) have ads?
Neither SSHaker nor knock(1) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SSHaker or knock(1)?
SSHaker ships an update monthly, and knock(1) every 2 months. Most recently, SSHaker was updated on September 30, 2026 and knock(1) on September 26, 2026.

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