Shellby vs SSH Client
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- AI-powered command generation
- Mosh-compatible sessions
- SFTP file transfer
- Port forwarding and tunnels
- Server monitoring (CPU, memory)
- On-screen key bar
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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/
SSH Client
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SSH Client – Remote Terminal & SFTP is the professional SSH client for iPhone and iPad, giving you secure remote access to Linux servers, cloud instances, VPS hosting, Raspberry Pi, and network devices from anywhere. Manage servers with a fast, responsive terminal, transfer files securely with SFTP and SCP, edit remote files, and organize all your connections in one powerful app. Whether you're a system administrator, DevOps engineer, developer, or IT professional, SSH Client provides the tools you need to stay productive on the go. Features • Secure SSH terminal with SSH v2 support • Password and public key authentication • ED25519, RSA, and ECDSA key support • Face ID and Touch ID protection • Multiple terminal sessions and tabs • Custom keyboard with ESC, CTRL, ALT, TAB, and function keys • ANSI, UTF-8, and 256-color terminal support • Light and dark terminal themes • Adjustable fonts, cursor, and appearance Powerful File Management • Built-in SFTP file browser • Secure SCP file transfers • Upload and download files • Copy, move, rename, and delete • Create folders and manage permissions • Resume interrupted transfers • Background file transfers • File search and organization Remote File Editor Edit server files directly without switching apps. Supports: • Shell scripts • JSON • YAML • XML • HTML • CSS • JavaScript • Python • SQL • Markdown • Dockerfiles • Configuration files Features include syntax highlighting, line numbers, search and replace, auto-save, undo and redo. Advanced Administration • SSH key manager • Port forwarding • Dynamic SOCKS proxy • Connection favorites • Host groups and folders • Session history • Saved command snippets • Login scripts and automation • Server dashboard • Live CPU, memory, disk, and network monitoring • Process management • Log viewer DevOps Ready Manage modern infrastructure with tools designed for developers and operations teams. • Docker container management • Kubernetes cluster access • Git command support • Database SSH tunnels • Multiple simultaneous connections Productivity • Quick reconnect • Command history • Favorites • Search across servers and commands • Widgets for favorite servers • Siri Shortcuts support • iCloud sync for settings and connections (optional) • Full iPad multitasking support • External keyboard support Security First Your credentials remain protected using Apple's security technologies. • Secure Keychain storage • Secure Enclave support • Face ID and Touch ID authentication • Encrypted SSH connections • Host key verification • Local data protection SSH Client is built for reliability, speed, and security, making it the perfect companion for remote server management, cloud administration, secure file transfers, and professional SSH workflows. Download SSH Client today and securely manage your servers wherever you are. We currently offer the following auto-renewing subscription option: - $34.99 per year - $7.99 per month By subscribing you get unlimited access to effects and remove advertisement. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Terms of Use: https://tos.atlantismobileapps.com Privacy Policy: https://privacy.atlantismobileapps.com
Screenshots
Verdict
Shellby and SSH Client are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
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. Shellby sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and SSH Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Shellby | SSH Client |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 荟 马 | Nguyen Nam Giang |
In-app purchases
Shellby
- Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
- Pro Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Pro Lifetime$29.99
SSH Client
- SSH Client Pro Monthly$7.991 Month
- SSH Client Pro Yearly$34.991 Year
- SSH Client Pro Lifetime$49.99









