Comparison

AirShell vs Pier Shell

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

Head to head
About

AirShell

Features
Read full description

AirShell is a mobile SSH terminal for developers who live in the command line. Connect to your Mac, Linux server, VPS or dev box from iPhone and keep working in the same CLI-first environment you already use on desktop. AirShell is designed for AI coding tools, tmux workflows, remote shells and repeatable terminal actions. Key features: - Live SSH terminal built for focused mobile work - Saved connection profiles with Keychain-backed secrets - OpenSSH ED25519 and RSA private key support - Trusted host-key verification on device - Press-and-hold speech input for terminal commands and prompts - Custom command shortcuts for deploys, logs, tests and tmux actions - Quick entries for Codex, Claude Code, Gemini CLI and CodeBuddy - CLI completion notifications when supported tools return to the shell prompt - tmux window and directory workflows for long-running sessions - iCloud sync for server profiles and custom commands AirShell does not replace your paid CLI tools. It extends them. Use the subscriptions, servers and command-line workflows you already have, even when you are away from the computer. Ideal for: - Checking long-running AI coding agents - Sending quick follow-up prompts by voice - Restarting services or tailing logs from anywhere - Keeping SSH and tmux workflows available from your pocket - Making desktop-grade CLI tools useful beyond the desk Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Pier Shell

Features
Read full description

No separate account required Pier works with your existing iCloud account to keep supported data synchronized across your Apple devices. There’s no Pier registration, username, or password to manage. Pier is a native SSH and SFTP client built for developers who want a simple, fast way to access their servers from iPhone and Mac. Add your hosts once and keep them synced privately through iCloud. Connect to production, staging, personal servers, Raspberry Pis, and more without rebuilding your setup on every device. Pier is designed to feel at home on Apple platforms, with a clean native interface, fast terminal performance, and secure key handling.

Screenshots

AirShell4 screens
Pier Shell4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pier Shell at none against AirShell's 3. Pier Shell also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 6 weeks). AirShell's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.5). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. AirShell sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Pier Shell asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AirShell ships an update every 6 weeks, Pier Shell every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
AirShell versus Pier Shell: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAirShellPier Shell
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 8 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS17.0 β€” better26.5
Further details β€” not scored
Size5 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAny Learner LLCMuhamad Nur Asyraaf

In-app purchases

3 purchases

AirShell

Subscriptions2
  • AirShell Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
  • AirShell Pro Yearly$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • AirShell Pro Lifetime$99.99
None

Pier Shell

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AirShell free?
AirShell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pier Shell free?
Pier Shell is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do AirShell or Pier Shell have ads?
Neither AirShell nor Pier Shell shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AirShell or Pier Shell?
AirShell ships an update every 6 weeks, and Pier Shell every 8 days. Most recently, AirShell was updated on October 11, 2026 and Pier Shell on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons