Comparison

SimpleHPC aiTerm vs Shellby

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

Head to head
About

SimpleHPC aiTerm

Connect to your Linux servers from your iOS device. This SSH client allows developers and system administrators to run shell commands, manage remote environments, and utilize terminal-based AI coding tools.

Highlights
  • SSH password and private key login
  • Remote Linux shell access
  • Run scripts and command-line tools
  • AI coding workflows over SSH
  • SFTP support
Features
Read full description

aiTerm is an SSH terminal client for iOS, designed for developers, system administrators, and AI coding workflows. Connect to your Linux servers from iPhone or iPad, run shell commands, manage remote environments, and use terminal-based AI coding tools such as Claude Code or other command-line assistants installed on your server. Key features: - SSH password and private key login - Remote Linux shell access - Run scripts and command-line tools - Suitable for AI coding workflows over SSH - Designed for developers and server administrators - sftp support

About

Shellby

A native SSH client for Apple devices that offers SFTP, tunnels, and server monitoring. It features an AI assistant to translate plain language tasks into commands and Mosh-compatible transport for resilient sessions.

Highlights
  • AI-powered command generation
  • Mosh-compatible sessions
  • SFTP file transfer
  • Port forwarding and tunnels
  • Server monitoring (CPU, memory)
  • On-screen key bar
Features
Read full description

Shellby is a modern, native SSH client for iPhone, iPad, and Mac — one app, one experience across all your Apple devices. It does more than connect: a built-in AI agent turns plain-language ops tasks into commands you approve one by one, Mosh-compatible transport keeps sessions alive across network changes, and on Mac your AI coding tools reach your servers read-only, fully audited. Built for developers, sysadmins, and anyone who manages remote servers. No account, no tracking. AI ASSISTANT & AGENT (BRING YOUR OWN KEY) • Describe an ops task in plain language — the agent plans and runs it step by step • Every command passes an approval gate; destructive ones need explicit confirmation — nothing runs behind your back • Customizable allow/deny lists; approve & allowlist in one tap • Standard chat-completion APIs, so you pick the service — DeepSeek, Kimi, GLM, Qwen, or a local Ollama model • Off by default; bring your own key and endpoint — no AI service is built in EXTERNAL AGENTS — MCP (macOS) • Let claude-code, codex, and other MCP clients use hosts you already configured — no passwords, keys, or jump-host setup handed over • Read-only: list hosts, run read-only commands, read files, fetch metrics; mutating commands are refused with a reason • Loopback only, token-checked per request, token in the Keychain, every call audited • Runs only while Shellby is open — no background daemon MOSH-COMPATIBLE CONNECTIONS • Switch Wi-Fi to cellular, roam, ride through a tunnel — the session survives and resumes instantly • Typing stays responsive even on slow, high-latency links • Connection test detects a missing mosh-server and gives install steps for your distro TERMINAL • Fast, standards-compliant terminal (xterm-256color) • Password and SSH key authentication (Ed25519 / RSA / OpenSSH) • On-screen key bar: Esc, Tab, Ctrl combos, arrows, symbols • Full hardware-keyboard mapping on iPad and Mac • Terminal themes and font size • Scrollback buffer up to 50,000 lines SNIPPETS & COMMAND TOOLBAR • Save commands you use daily; run, insert, or copy them from a toolbar above the terminal • Shell syntax highlighting and line numbers; review before running DESKTOP-CLASS ON MAC & iPAD • Three-column layout: hosts, sessions, and content each in place • Multiple windows and session tabs, with live terminal previews • Split view, and command broadcast — type once, send to many sessions • Native menu bar, shortcuts, and window toolbar on Mac FILES (SFTP) • Browse, upload, download, rename, move, delete, create folders • One transfer queue both ways — progress, resume, choice of destination • Drag & drop on Mac; notification when background transfers finish • Integrates with the Files app PORT FORWARDING & TUNNELS • Local (-L), remote (-R), and dynamic SOCKS5 (-D) forwarding • Jump hosts / ProxyJump (-J) with multi-hop chains • Standalone tunnels that stay up and auto-reconnect, with live bandwidth • For reaching services inside your own server network (databases, internal dashboards) — not for bypassing network restrictions SERVER MONITOR • Live CPU, memory, swap, disk, load, and top processes SYNC — YOUR DATA, YOUR STORAGE • Optional iCloud sync of hosts, groups, and rules (CloudKit); passwords and keys only via the end-to-end-encrypted iCloud Keychain • Or bring your own storage: hosts, keys, snippets, AI settings & chats via any WebDAV or S3-compatible service you control • Pair a new device by scanning a QR code SECURITY & PRIVACY • Credentials stored only in the device Keychain — never in plaintext • Host fingerprint verification (TOFU), with a strong warning if one ever changes • Face ID / Touch ID app lock • No account, no tracking, no data collection You bring your own SSH servers; Shellby connects only to machines you own or are authorized to access. Languages: English, 简体中文, 繁體中文. Privacy Policy: https://shellby.app.mahui.me/privacy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SimpleHPC aiTerm3 screens
Shellby4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpleHPC aiTerm at none against Shellby's 3. SimpleHPC aiTerm also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 11 days). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

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

Both are free to download. Shellby sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. SimpleHPC aiTerm asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleHPC aiTerm ships an update every 3 days, Shellby every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 5 level
SimpleHPC aiTerm versus Shellby: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleHPC aiTermShellby
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer孟龙 陈荟 马

Customer experience

SimpleHPC aiTerm

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Shellby

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SimpleHPC aiTerm

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Shellby

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is SimpleHPC aiTerm free?
SimpleHPC aiTerm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shellby free?
Shellby is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SimpleHPC aiTerm or Shellby have ads?
Neither SimpleHPC aiTerm nor Shellby shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleHPC aiTerm or Shellby?
SimpleHPC aiTerm ships an update every 3 days, and Shellby every 11 days. Most recently, SimpleHPC aiTerm was updated on September 20, 2026 and Shellby on September 14, 2026.

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