Comparison

Regex Match Lab 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

Regex Match Lab

Features
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Is your regular expression matching the right text? See the result, test the exceptions and keep your work for the next change. Regex Match Lab is an offline workbench for ICU regular expressions. Check emails, logs, dates and your own text before reusing a pattern. Included features β€’ Run match Β· Highlighted source Β· Match map β€’ Captures Β· Range β€’ Replacement preview An empty template deletes matched text. β€’ Test cases: Should match / Should not match β€’ Saved tests: Pattern Β· Options Β· Test cases β€’ Back up saved tests / Restore from JSON Each test is added as a new copy. Your saved tests stay unchanged. β€’ Copy matches / Copy replacement Β· Share results β€’ Ignore case Β· ^ and $ match each line Β· . matches new lines Privacy Processing and saved tests stay on your device. No app account or server requests. Exported files and shared results go only where you choose to send them. Supported devices iPhone Β· iPad Β· Mac (Mac Catalyst) Mac: ⌘N New test Β· ⌘O Saved tests Β· ⌘S Save Β· ⌘R Run match Getting started 1. Load example β†’ Pattern + Sample 2. Options β†’ Run match 3. Test cases β†’ Save β†’ Copy matches / Copy replacement / Share results Notes Uses ICU/NSRegularExpression syntax, which differs from PCRE and JavaScript. Input limits and cooperative run limits apply; simplify the pattern if a limit is reached. JSON backups are manual files, not automatic sync. Support: https://paran.app/ Privacy policy: https://paran.app/privacy-policy/

About

Pier Shell

Features
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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

Regex Match Lab4 screens
Pier Shell4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pier Shell at Free against Regex Match Lab's $1.99. Regex Match Lab's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.5). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

Pier Shell is free to download; Regex Match Lab costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Regex Match Lab versus Pier Shell: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRegex Match LabPier Shell
Price$1.99Free β€” better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS17.0 β€” better26.5
Further details β€” not scored
Size3 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperParanMuhamad Nur Asyraaf

In-app purchases

None

Regex Match Lab

No in-app purchases

None

Pier Shell

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Regex Match Lab free?
Regex Match Lab costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pier Shell free?
Pier Shell is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Regex Match Lab or Pier Shell have ads?
Neither Regex Match Lab nor Pier Shell shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Regex Match Lab or Pier Shell?
Regex Match Lab ships an update every 2 weeks, and Pier Shell every 2 weeks. Most recently, Regex Match Lab was updated on November 6, 2026 and Pier Shell on October 25, 2026.

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