Comparison

Andwriter vs PocketShell

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

Head to head
About

Andwriter

A fast, clean text editor designed for code and notes. It offers keyboard-driven features, supports multiple tabs, and allows for quick file access and editing. An optional AI assistant integration is also available.

Highlights
  • Keyboard-driven interface
  • Supports common text and source files
  • Persistent multi-tab sessions
  • Familiar shortcuts for file operations
  • Markdown and HTML preview
  • Optional AI assistant integration
Features
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Andwriter is a fast, clean text editor built for writing code, editing plain text, and keeping scratch notes close at hand. Designed for keyboard-driven work: - Open and edit common text and source files - Keep multiple tabs in a persistent session - Use familiar shortcuts for new files, open, save, find, command palette, and quick open - Navigate with line numbers, search, replace, and multi-cursor editing - Preview Markdown and HTML documents - Switch between editor themes and focused writer settings - Connect an optional AI assistant to OpenAI-compatible, Anthropic, or local Ollama-style backends Andwriter keeps the first version simple: open files, write, search, save, and return to your session quickly. It is built for developers, writers, and anyone who wants a quiet editor that feels close to a desktop code editor while staying native on Apple platforms.

About

PocketShell

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Manage your servers and projects from your iPhone or iPad. No SSH keys to copy, no ports to forward, no VPN to configure. PocketShell replaces traditional SSH workflows with a secure, mobile-first workspace. Install the lightweight host agent, scan a QR code, and connect to your own machines through encrypted peer-to-peer connections whenever the network allows. Open real terminals, browse files, monitor system stats, transfer files, and now work inside ProjectSpace: a code editor-style mobile workspace for your projects. ProjectSpace brings files, terminal sessions, Git changes, agent chats, and local web previews together so you can inspect, fix, and ship from your phone. Built for developers, on-call engineers, homelab users, and self-hosters who need safe access to machines they own from anywhere. PROJECTSPACE - Browse project folders on your host - Open and edit code with syntax highlighting - Search files and project contents - View Git status and diffs - Stage changes, switch branches, and commit - Open terminals scoped to the project - Preview local dev servers in the built-in Dev Browser HOW IT WORKS 1. Install the PocketShell agent on your host with one command 2. Scan the QR code to pair your phone 3. Open terminals, files, projects, Git, stats, and web previews from your phone FREE FOR UP TO 2 HOSTS - Real terminal sessions with a mobile-friendly keyboard - ProjectSpace for mobile project workflows - Built-in Dev Browser for local web previews - Live monitoring: CPU, memory, disk, network, processes - Browse, preview, upload, and download files - Resume sessions across devices - Direct peer-to-peer connections when your network allows POCKETSHELL PRO - Up to 10 hosts - More ProjectSpace capacity - Direct host-to-host file transfers - Higher file transfer limits - 30 days of historical stats - Multi-device support - Priority alerts and notifications WHY NOT SSH? Traditional SSH apps require you to copy private keys to your phone, expose ports through your router, or set up VPNs to reach machines behind NAT. PocketShell uses encrypted peer-to-peer connections through a lightweight host agent. Pair once, access securely, and avoid key management on mobile. SECURITY PocketShell uses device-bound host pairing, trusted-device approval, biometric unlock, Ed25519 cryptography, and session auditing. Terminal contents are never stored on our servers. Terminal I/O, files, stats, and project data flow directly between your phone and your host whenever the network allows. PocketShell is for accessing machines you own or are authorized to operate. Privacy Policy: https://pocketshell.app/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Andwriter4 screens
PocketShell4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Andwriter at none against PocketShell's 3. On price, update cadence, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PocketShell sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Andwriter asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Andwriter versus PocketShell: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAndwriterPocketShell
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB88 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrey SapunovYash Agarwal

In-app purchases

None

Andwriter

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

PocketShell

Subscriptions2
  • PocketShell Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • PocketShell Pro Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • PocketShell Pro Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Andwriter free?
Andwriter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PocketShell free?
PocketShell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Andwriter or PocketShell have ads?
Neither Andwriter nor PocketShell shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Andwriter or PocketShell?
Andwriter ships an update every 3 weeks, and PocketShell every 3 weeks. Most recently, Andwriter was updated on October 6, 2026 and PocketShell on October 1, 2026.

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