RootDeck vs CLI Files
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side ā with what reviewers say about each.
RootDeck
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RootDeck is a fast, secure SSH and SFTP client for iPhone and iPad: a terminal, file manager, server dashboard and AI agent for the servers you already own. Connect to your servers directly ā no RootDeck account and no cloud in between. Built for developers, sysadmins and DevOps who need their infrastructure on the go. AI AGENT ON YOUR SERVER ⢠Chat with Codex, Claude Code, Grok or GitHub Copilot running on your own server, or with your own API agent for any OpenAI-compatible provider. ⢠Install the agent and sign in without leaving the app. Choose the model and how hard it thinks. ⢠Decide what the agent may do: read only, the working folder, Auto with a reviewer model, or full access ā and approve requests as they come. ⢠Add MCP connectors from the catalog, attach files and photos, and dictate ā speech is recognized on the device. ⢠Follow background tasks and your account's usage limits, and sign out to switch accounts. SERVER AND TERMINAL ⢠SSH terminal with ten color themes, Day and Night mode, cursor styles and a key bar with function keys. ⢠Inline command suggestions ā RootDeck never runs them on its own. ⢠Server dashboard: CPU, memory, disks, network, services and processes. ⢠Live logs with pause, filtering and links. FILES ⢠SFTP file browser: upload, download, copy, move, rename and delete. ⢠Built-in text editor, file details and permissions. CONNECTIONS ⢠Password and SSH key authentication, jump hosts. ⢠Host key verification against man-in-the-middle attacks. ⢠Find SSH servers on your local network. ⢠Optional: keep your session alive when you switch apps, with a connection card on the Lock Screen. ⢠Linux, macOS and Windows OpenSSH servers. PRIVACY Credentials stay in Apple Keychain. SSH traffic goes straight between your device and your servers; the AI agent talks to its provider from your server, and API keys stay there. RootDeck collects no analytics, and none of our servers sit in the path. Available in English, Russian and Simplified Chinese.
CLI Files
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CLI Files puts remote file management and a full SSH terminal in one focused workspace. Connect to your servers over SSH/SFTP, browse folders, upload and download files, preview common file types, and jump straight into a terminal when you need to get work done. It is designed for developers, operators, and AI-agent workflows. FEATURES ⢠SSH and SFTP connections with password or private-key authentication ⢠Browse, search, sort, upload, download, rename, and delete remote files ⢠Save favorite folders and open each directly in the file browser or terminal ⢠One retained terminal tab per server; switch sessions without disconnecting ⢠Reorderable command-key bar and custom text shortcuts ⢠Record custom Ctrl, Alt, Shift, special keys, and multi-step key sequences using the phone keyboard ⢠Terminal font-size control, app language selection, and multiple interface themes ⢠Secure credential storage in the iOS Keychain ⢠Offline Demo Mode for exploring the terminal, files, and Markdown preview before connecting a server CLI Files is free to download and includes banner advertising. An optional one-time Remove Ads purchase removes advertising; previous Remove Ads purchases remain valid and can be restored. Paid users may voluntarily enable banners in Settings and turn them off at any time without losing their purchase. Server profiles are stored on your device. Passwords, private keys, and trusted host keys are protected by the iOS Keychain.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RootDeck at none against CLI Files's 1. RootDeck also leads on ads (none vs shown). CLI Files's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly). On price, device support 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
Both are free to download. CLI Files sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RootDeck asks for nothing beyond the download.
RootDeck ships an update monthly, CLI Files every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RootDeck | CLI Files |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | ā |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 11 days ā better |
| Ads | No ā better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No ā better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac ā better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details ā not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Evgenii Lav | OpenBigger |
In-app purchases
RootDeck
No in-app purchases
CLI Files
- Remove Ads$0.99





