Kex vs Moshell
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/
Moshell
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Moshell is a modern SSH terminal client designed for developers, engineers, and power users. Connect to remote servers securely with a fast, clean, and intuitive mobile terminal experience. Manage hosts easily, access your servers on the go, and work comfortably from anywhere. Features: • Secure SSH connections • Clean and minimal terminal UI • Host management • Private key authentication • Dark mode optimized • Designed for speed and simplicity Moshell focuses on providing a lightweight and distraction-free SSH experience for mobile devices.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Moshell at none against Kex's 3. Moshell also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Kex's advantage is device support. On price 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. Moshell asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Kex | Moshell |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | — |
| Ads | Yes | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | — |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ali Mert TUFEKCI | Youngseung Ji |
In-app purchases
Kex
- Weekly Plan$4.997 Days
- Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
- Yearly Plan$29.991 Year
Moshell
No in-app purchases





