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.
Regex Match Lab
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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: βN New test Β· βO Saved tests Β· βS Save Β· βR 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/
Pier Shell
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No separate account required Pier works with your existing iCloud account to keep supported data synchronized across your Apple devices. Thereβs 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.
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Verdict
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
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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Regex Match Lab | Pier Shell |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free β better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac β better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 β better | 26.5 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Paran | Muhamad Nur Asyraaf |
In-app purchases
Regex Match Lab
No in-app purchases
Pier Shell
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Regex Match Lab free?
Is Pier Shell free?
Do Regex Match Lab or Pier Shell have ads?
Which is updated more often, Regex Match Lab or Pier Shell?
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