Comparison

Build Remote Agent vs TethrX

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

Head to head
About

Build Remote Agent

Features
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Requires the free gbr-agent desktop agent installed and running on your own Windows PC, Mac or Linux computer. Build Remote Agent is the iPhone and iPad remote for that agent: see and steer the terminal sessions, such as a coding CLI, already running on your computer. NOT A STANDALONE CODING APP This app does not run code, host an AI model or open a terminal on the iPhone itself. Without gbr-agent running on a computer you own, it can only show an offline demo. If you cannot install software on a Windows, macOS or Linux computer, this app is not for you. WHAT YOU NEED 1. A Windows 10/11, macOS 12 or later, or Linux desktop computer that you can install software on. 2. gbr-agent, the free and open-source (MIT) desktop agent from grokbuildremote.com or GitHub (LinespottingOrg/GrokBuildRemote-Agents). 3. A terminal window on that computer running the CLI or coding agent you want to steer. 4. An internet connection on both devices (ordinary outbound HTTPS). 5. This app on an iPhone or iPad with iOS / iPadOS 18 or later. HOW IT WORKS 1. Install gbr-agent on your computer (installers and checksums: grokbuildremote.com). 2. Open the terminal session you want to control on the computer. 3. On the computer, run "gbr-agent pair". A pairing QR code opens in your browser. 4. In this app, tap "Scan QR from computer" and point the camera at that QR code. Or type the short code by hand (valid about 10 minutes). 5. On the computer, run "gbr-agent run" and leave it running (or "gbr-agent service install" to start it at login). 6. Your terminal sessions appear in the app. Pick one, type or dictate a command, and read the output as it streams back. An offline demo shows the interface before you pair. It does not control a computer. WHAT YOU CAN DO - See a live, named list of the terminal sessions on your paired computer - Session titles follow renames and update as windows open and close - Send commands to the selected session by typing or by hold-to-talk voice input - Read the output in a colorized, scrollable transcript - Queue commands while offline; they are sent when you reconnect - Check agent and relay health in Settings - Disconnect to pause live updates, or Unpair / Forget this PC to remove the pairing - Optionally point the app at a relay you host yourself WORKS ON - iPhone (full-screen chat layout) - iPad (split view with session list) - Mac and Apple Vision Pro, where the App Store offers them The computer you control always needs gbr-agent installed and running. HOW THE CONNECTION WORKS Your iPhone and your computer never connect to each other directly and you do not open any ports. Both sides talk over HTTPS to a relay mailbox that is protected by a key created when you pair. You can use the hosted relay or run your own. PLEASE NOTE - One pairing gives this device the ability to type into every terminal session gbr-agent discovers on that computer. Only pair computers you are allowed to control, and Unpair before handing a computer to someone else. - On macOS, typing into terminal windows needs the Accessibility permission for gbr-agent. On Linux, a graphical desktop session is needed. - Headless servers and browser dashboards that do not run in a terminal window are not shown. - You are responsible for the commands you send. Review what a coding agent will do before you approve it. SETUP HELP Install, pairing and troubleshooting guides: https://grokbuildremote.com/ Support: https://grokbuildremote.com/support.html Trouble pairing? Email info@linespotting.com with your computer's OS and the output of "gbr-agent version". Unsure if your setup is supported? Ask us before you buy. PRIVACY Privacy policy and how to request data deletion: https://linespotting.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Build Remote Agent is an independent LineSpotting AB product, not affiliated with the makers of the CLI tools you run.

About

TethrX

Features
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TethrX is a native, private, independent remote for Grok Build, SpaceXAI's terminal coding agent. Your phone is only a control plane: Grok, its tools and your code stay on your own machine. TethrX connects to a small open-source bridge you run on your computer. • Watch Grok work in real time: thoughts, commands, file edits and their output. • Approve or reject every tool call from the app, from a notification on your lock screen, or from your Apple Watch. • Plan mode: Grok drafts a plan, and you review and approve it before it builds. • Choose the model and reasoning effort for each session. • Review what changed: per-file diffs, then commit or discard from your phone. • Queue follow-ups, branch sessions, schedule recurring tasks, dictate messages, and keep a library of reusable prompts. • Live Activities, widgets and a watch complication show what Grok is doing at a glance. • No accounts, no tracking, no third-party servers. Your phone talks only to your bridge, directly or over Tailscale, with certificate-pinned HTTPS. Requires your own Grok Build install (SuperGrok / SuperGrok Heavy / X Premium+) and the TethrX bridge running on your computer (npx tethrx-bridge). Setup takes a couple of minutes: open the bridge's pairing page and scan its QR code. TethrX is an independent client and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by SpaceXAI. "Grok" and "Grok Build" are trademarks of their respective owner.

Screenshots

Build Remote Agent4 screens
TethrX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TethrX at Free against Build Remote Agent's $12.99. TethrX also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). Build Remote Agent's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and device support (6 vs 3). On ads and iOS requirement 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

TethrX is free to download; Build Remote Agent costs $12.99 up front. Build Remote Agent sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.00 per month. TethrX asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build Remote Agent ships an update weekly, TethrX every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Ā· 2 level
Build Remote Agent versus TethrX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild Remote AgentTethrX
Price$12.99Free — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLineSpotting ABNathan Ducatillon

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Build Remote Agent

Subscriptions2
  • GBR Monthly7 Days trial$4.001 Month
  • GBR Yearly7 Days trial$29.001 Year
One-time1
  • GBR Lifetime$99.00
None

TethrX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Build Remote Agent free?
Build Remote Agent costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is TethrX free?
TethrX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Build Remote Agent or TethrX have ads?
Neither Build Remote Agent nor TethrX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Build Remote Agent or TethrX?
Build Remote Agent ships an update weekly, and TethrX every 3 months. Most recently, Build Remote Agent was updated on November 5, 2026 and TethrX on October 31, 2026.

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