Kex vs TermiShell
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kex
This app provides a full xterm-256color terminal emulator for iOS, allowing users to connect to servers via SSH, Mosh, and Telnet. It includes SFTP file management, multiple session support, and a specialized keyboard for efficient remote server access and administration.
- Full xterm-256color terminal emulation
- SSH, Mosh, and Telnet protocol support
- Built-in SFTP file manager
- Multiple simultaneous terminal sessions
- Purpose-built terminal keyboard accessory
- Extensive customization options (themes, fonts, cursor)
- Hardware keyboard support with shortcuts
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A desktop-grade SSH terminal emulator built for iOS. Kex is not a simplified command runner — it's a full xterm-256color terminal that runs vim, htop, nano, and everything you expect from a real terminal. Leave your laptop behind. Restart a crashed service from the beach. Check your CI pipeline at the airport. SSH into production from a café. Monitor your AI coding agent from the couch. With Kex, your entire server infrastructure fits in your pocket. WHO IS KEX FOR? · DevOps engineers who need to respond to incidents anytime, anywhere · Developers running AI coding agents like Claude Code, Codex, or Aider on remote servers · System administrators managing fleets of Linux servers · Cloud engineers working with AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, and more · Homelab enthusiasts monitoring Raspberry Pi clusters and self-hosted services · Students learning Linux and server administration · Anyone who has ever thought "I wish I had a terminal right now" REAL TERMINAL EMULATION Full xterm-256color support with CSI, ESC, OSC, and SGR sequences. Alternate screen buffer for full-screen apps like vim, nano, top, and htop. 256-color and TrueColor rendering. SSH, MOSH & TELNET Connect to any server with SSH. Authenticate with password or SSH keys (Ed25519 and RSA). Mosh support keeps your session alive through Wi-Fi switches, cellular handoffs, and unstable hotel networks. Telnet for legacy systems and network equipment. All protocols, one app. BUILT-IN SFTP FILE MANAGER Browse, upload, download, and manage files on your remote servers. Create folders, rename, delete — all from an intuitive file browser. Pull a log file, push a config change, or grab a backup. No need for a separate SFTP app. MULTIPLE SESSIONS Run multiple terminal sessions simultaneously. Switch between them with a tap or with keyboard shortcuts. Each session maintains its own independent state — monitor production on one tab, debug staging on another. Manage all your servers from one place. TERMINAL KEYBOARD DONE RIGHT A purpose-built keyboard accessory bar with ESC, Ctrl, Alt, Tab, arrow keys, and F1–F12. Auto-repeat on directional keys. Modifier key toggles. Every key a terminal user needs — designed for real work, not bolted on as an afterthought. CUSTOMIZE EVERYTHING 10+ built-in terminal themes including Dracula, Nord, Solarized, Monokai, Gruvbox, Tokyo Night, One Dark, GitHub Dark, and more. Choose your monospace font and size. Pick your cursor style — block, underline, or beam with optional blink. Make it yours. iPAD POWER USER Full hardware keyboard support with Cmd+N, Cmd+W, Cmd+T, and Cmd+1–9 shortcuts. Switch sessions, open new connections, and navigate — all without touching the screen. Pair with a keyboard and your iPad becomes a proper workstation. SECURITY FIRST SSH keys and credentials stored in the iOS Keychain — encrypted on your device, never in the cloud. Ed25519 and RSA key support. Host key verification with SHA-256 fingerprints. Organize keys into groups, see which connections use each key. All connections encrypted end-to-end. STAY CONNECTED Configurable keep-alive to prevent session drops. Detailed connection logs for troubleshooting. Save and organize your servers into groups with one-tap access. Host key memory so you connect with confidence every time. Kex is built for people who take their work seriously — but don't want to carry a laptop everywhere. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
TermiShell
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TermiShell is a professional server console for iPhone and iPad, built for developers, operators, and technical teams who need to handle real server work from a mobile device. Connect over SSH, manage files with SFTP, monitor remote metrics, run saved commands, organize snippets, and keep critical server workflows close at hand when you are away from your desk. TermiShell is designed for practical operations, not decorative terminal demos. It brings terminal sessions, server profiles, file tools, monitoring views, snippets, tasks, and secure export into one focused mobile workspace. Key features: • SSH terminal for remote server access • SFTP file browsing and file operations • Server profiles with organized connection settings • Local snippets for frequently used commands • Saved tasks for repeatable server workflows • Remote monitoring for CPU, memory, disk, load, and network metrics • Process and system status views • tmux-friendly workflows for resilient sessions • Encrypted backup and migration support • Local-first storage for server profiles and settings • Multi-language interface for global users TermiShell helps with common mobile server tasks: • Check a server during an incident • Restart a service from your phone • Inspect logs while away from your desk • Upload or edit operational files • Run routine maintenance commands • Verify system load and disk usage • Keep reusable command snippets organized • Move app settings between devices TermiShell Pro unlocks higher limits and deeper operational features for users who manage more servers, more sessions, and more repeatable workflows. Subscription information: TermiShell Pro Monthly is an auto-renewing subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms of Service: https://termishell.vkoi.net/terms Privacy Policy: https://termishell.vkoi.net/privacy Whether you are maintaining personal servers, managing production infrastructure, supporting a customer environment, or checking systems while traveling, TermiShell gives you a compact but serious server workspace on iOS.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: TermiShell at none against Kex's shown. TermiShell also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Kex sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and TermiShell sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Kex ships an update every 2 days, TermiShell daily. The most recent releases landed on August 19, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kex | TermiShell |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | Daily — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ali Mert TUFEKCI | Shenzhen Weili Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. |
In-app purchases
Kex
- Weekly Plan$4.997 Days
- Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
- Yearly Plan$29.991 Year
TermiShell
- TermiShell Pro Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- TermiShell Pro Lifetime$44.99









