Comparison

AES Crypt vs ShellPilot

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

Head to head
About

AES Crypt

Securely decrypt and encrypt files on your iPhone or iPad using the industry-standard AES encryption. Access encrypted files from cloud storage and email, and protect your sensitive documents and photos with robust, cross-platform security.

Highlights
  • Decrypt AESCrypt.com encrypted files
  • Encrypt files directly on device
  • Open files from cloud storage
  • Securely share encrypted files
  • Preview common file types
  • Touch ID/Face ID protection
Features
Read full description

AESCrypt for iOS lets you decrypt and preview files encrypted with AESCrypt.com on your iPhone or iPad. Open encrypted files from Dropbox, Drive, Email, and other apps with ease. An in-app upgrade enables encryption directly from your device — protect documents, photos, and more, then share securely to your favorite cloud service. AESCrypt uses the industry-standard Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to provide strong, cross-platform file security across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. Whether you’re backing up sensitive files to the cloud or storing private documents locally, AESCrypt gives you simple, powerful protection. Free Features (Decryption) • Adds AESCrypt as an “Open In…” option for .aes files, allowing you to decrypt files stored in Dropbox, Drive, Email, and other apps • Saves decrypted files in the app for preview or export to other apps • Supports quick actions: rename or swipe to delete • Performs DoD 5220.22-M secure wipe before deleting files • Previews most major file types (PDF, JPG, MOV, PNG, TXT, and more) • Displays decryption date and file size for each file In-App Upgrade Features (Encryption) • Encrypt files directly on your iOS device and store them securely within the app • Take a photo with the camera and immediately encrypt it for safe storage • Adds AESCrypt as an “Open In…” option for all file types, enabling encryption from other apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote, etc.) • Export encrypted files and photos to your installed cloud apps (Dropbox, Drive, iCloud, etc.) • Touch ID / Face ID support to keep in-app files protected Notes • This app decrypts files encrypted with AESCrypt.com or by this app only • Encryption in this app requires the in-app upgrade • Supports the standard AES Crypt file format across desktop and mobile. Files encrypted outside the AES Crypt ecosystem are not supported • For support or feature requests, visit the Discussion Forum at AESCrypt.com LEGAL The duration and price of each subscription are displayed in the AES Crypt app under Settings → “AES Crypt (Paid Full Version)” at the time of purchase. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account upon confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your Apple ID account settings after purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://aescrypt.datafromthings.com/privacy.html

About

ShellPilot

Features
Read full description

Connect to any server from your iPhone or iPad, and keep the commands you run often ready to reuse. ShellPilot is a full SSH terminal built for developers, sysadmins, and anyone who manages a server, a VPS, or a Raspberry Pi on the go. SAVED SNIPPETS Keep the commands you run often — restarts, log checks, deploy steps — and run them in a tap on any saved server, instead of retyping them every time you connect. FULL TERMINAL A real terminal emulator with xterm-compatible rendering, not a cut-down text box. Works with tmux, vim, and anything else you run over SSH. SSH KEYS Generate or import Ed25519 and RSA keys. Keys stay on your device — nothing is uploaded anywhere. SFTP FILE BROWSER Browse remote files next to your local storage over SFTP. Upload, download, rename and delete without leaving the app. MULTIPLE SERVERS Save connections for every server you manage. Switch between a VPS, a Raspberry Pi, or a Docker host in a tap. RECENT SESSIONS Jump back into a server you connected to recently, without hunting through a list. WORKS WELL FOR • Developers deploying and checking on servers • Sysadmins managing a VPS or home server • Raspberry Pi and homelab owners • Anyone who needs a real terminal without a laptop ABOUT THIS APP Your connections, keys and snippets stay on your device. No account, no cloud sync of credentials. PURCHASES • ShellPilot Pro — one-time purchase • Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase • One-time purchase — no subscription and no renewals Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://cosmovex.web.app/apps/shellpilot/privacy-policy

Screenshots

AES Crypt4 screens
ShellPilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

AES Crypt and ShellPilot are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AES Crypt sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year and ShellPilot sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AES Crypt ships an update every 9 months, ShellPilot every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
AES Crypt versus ShellPilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAES CryptShellPilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (28 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews42.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings28 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 6 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Time InnovationsSahana A S

In-app purchases

2 purchases

AES Crypt

Subscriptions1
  • 1-Year Ability to Encrypt Files$0.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Ability to Encrypt Files$5.99
1 purchases

ShellPilot

One-time1
  • ShellPilot Pro$4.99

Questions

Is AES Crypt free?
AES Crypt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShellPilot free?
ShellPilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AES Crypt or ShellPilot have ads?
Neither AES Crypt nor ShellPilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AES Crypt or ShellPilot?
AES Crypt ships an update every 9 months, and ShellPilot every 6 months. Most recently, AES Crypt was updated on September 28, 2026 and ShellPilot on October 4, 2026.

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