Pi SSH vs Askar Astro Controller
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pi SSH
Control your Raspberry Pi remotely with an interactive SSH terminal, file manager, and system monitoring tools. Manage Docker, systemd, and GPIO pins directly from your iPhone or iPad over your local network.
- Interactive SSH terminal
- SFTP file manager
- Live system monitoring
- Docker and systemd control
- GPIO pinout grid
- Network tools
- Command snippets and macros
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Pi SSH is the Raspberry Pi control app with a real interactive SSH terminal — plus SFTP files, live monitoring, GPIO, Docker, and systemd. Connect over direct LAN SSH (no cloud relay) from iPhone or iPad. SSH TERMINAL (NEW IN 2.0) Open a full VT100/xterm SSH terminal to your Raspberry Pi or Linux box. Colors, interactive tools (htop, nano, vim), password or Ed25519 keys, optional jump/bastion host, on-screen shortcuts (Tab, Ctrl+C, arrows), and reconnect when the shell ends. The terminal uses its own session so live metrics keep updating. CONNECT WITH CONFIDENCE Clearer connection help when SSH fails, plus Scan network from the error screen. Bonjour discovery and Wi‑Fi subnet scanning find Pis on your local network. SFTP FILE MANAGER Browse folders, upload and download files, edit text configs, rename, copy, move, and delete — plus upload from the iOS share sheet. DOCKER & SYSTEMD Start, stop, and restart containers and services. View Docker and journal logs with live follow. GPIO CONTROL 40-pin pinout grid with per-pin input/output, PWM, custom labels, and bus-pin safety prompts. SYSTEM MONITORING CPU, memory, temperature, disk, and network — with charts and history. Home Screen widgets show the latest metrics after you capture them in the app. SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION Docker containers & images • systemd units • apt upgradable packages • journal/syslog viewer • edit boot or SSH config files. NETWORK TOOLS Local-network SSH discovery (Bonjour + subnet scan), Wake-on-LAN, TCP port checks, plus ping/traceroute run on the Pi. SNIPPETS & MACROS Save commands and run them with one tap; chain steps into macros. PRIVACY-FIRST Secrets stay in Keychain. Works over LAN/VPN — your credentials never pass through our servers. Supports Raspberry Pi OS and other Debian/Ubuntu-style Linux installs.
Askar Astro Controller
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As the core companion for the Askar WAF, the Askar APP offers a high-precision focusing solution for both visual astronomy and deep-sky imaging. Paired with the Askar APP, the WAF offers accurate, responsive focusing with fine step control and instant stop. Travel and step size are independently adjustable – focus in one tap. The APP offers flexible device management – rename and group your devices with ease. Step parameters and travel reverse are also adjustable, so you can tailor the focusing experience to your own workflow. The APP is currently fully optimized for the WAF. Our development team will continue to release regular updates, gradually introducing support for filter wheels, rotators, and other smart astronomy devices. By continuously expanding device compatibility, the APP aims to deliver integrated, intelligent control over a full range of astronomy accessories, providing users with a more comprehensive and efficient solution for smart astrophotography.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Askar Astro Controller at daily against Pi SSH's every 3 days. Askar Astro Controller also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Pi SSH ships an update every 3 days, Askar Astro Controller daily. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pi SSH | Askar Astro Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 106 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pankaj Gaikar | Jiaxing Ruixing Optical Instrument Co., Ltd. |
In-app purchases
Pi SSH
No in-app purchases
Askar Astro Controller
No in-app purchases









