Kex vs SocketClaw
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ 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 โ 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 cafรฉ. Monitor your AI coding agent from the couch. With Kex, your entire server infrastructure fits in your pocket. WHO IS KEX FOR? ยท DevOps engineers who need to respond to incidents anytime, anywhere ยท Developers running AI coding agents like Claude Code, Codex, or Aider on remote servers ยท System administrators managing fleets of Linux servers ยท Cloud engineers working with AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, and more ยท Homelab enthusiasts monitoring Raspberry Pi clusters and self-hosted services ยท Students learning Linux and server administration ยท 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 โ 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 โ 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 F1โF12. Auto-repeat on directional keys. Modifier key toggles. Every key a terminal user needs โ 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 โ 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+1โ9 shortcuts. Switch sessions, open new connections, and navigate โ 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 โ 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 โ but don't want to carry a laptop everywhere. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
SocketClaw
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Meet SocketClaw, the ultimate SSH terminal and SFTP client designed for developers, system administrators, and tech enthusiasts. Whether you are managing remote servers, transferring files securely, or monitoring multiple terminal sessions simultaneously, SocketClaw does the heavy lifting while you stay seamlessly connected. With our intuitive interface and our hardworking mascot digging the secure tunnels for you, managing your server infrastructure has never been easier or safer. Key Features: Advanced SSH Management: Easily set up, save, and manage multiple SSH server profiles with robust encryption. Multi-View Terminals: Run and monitor multiple terminal sessions simultaneously. Switch between active server connections effortlessly without losing your workflow. Secure SFTP File Transfer: Browse, upload, and download files from your remote servers with a fully integrated, user-friendly SFTP client. Local Network Discovery: Seamlessly connect to and manage servers within your local Wi-Fi or LAN environment. Biometric Security: Lock down your sensitive server configurations, IP addresses, and private keys. Your data stays yours. Clean & Intuitive UI: A streamlined, modern experience that makes advanced server management. Take control of your servers today and start your secure connections with SocketClaw!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SocketClaw at none against Kex's 3. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Kex sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. SocketClaw asks for nothing beyond the download.
Kex ships an update every 2 days, SocketClaw daily. The most recent releases landed on August 19, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kex | SocketClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | โ |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | Daily โ better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No โ better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | โ |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Ali Mert TUFEKCI | Serhat Can Bakir |
In-app purchases
Kex
- Weekly Plan$4.997 Days
- Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
- Yearly Plan$29.991 Year
SocketClaw
No in-app purchases









