SimpleSSH vs Plainly
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SimpleSSH
This app provides a streamlined way to interact with SSH servers from your iPhone and iPad. Execute commands with a single tap, browse files, and view logs with a user-friendly interface. It's designed for quick access to server information when you're on the go.
- Execute commands with one tap
- Manage commands in groups
- View and export colored command results
- Browse and export text files
- Primitive terminal for command testing
- Private key or password authentication
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SimpleSSH is a powerful tool tailored for your needs when working with SSH servers on your iPhone and iPad. When you’re on the go, most often you don’t want to work a lot in the shell. You simply want to execute a command or view a log file to see what’s going on. SimpleSSH makes SSH easy and comfortable by tailoring it for your needs. ⁃ Simple and intuitive User Interface ⁃ Commands Execute commands with a single tap Manage commands with groups View and Export colored command results Get more commands from the Script Library ⁃ Terminal Primitive terminal to test your commands Colored Shell output View and Export Shell Log Tab, Ctrl and Arrow Up/Down, Left and Right keys ⁃ File Viewer Browse files and folders easily View and export text files on the SSH server ⁃ Bright and Dark User Interface ⁃ Authentication via private key or password ⁃ Private key import through iTunes or other apps ⁃ No ads, banners or in app purchases - you get everything for the price you pay! Do you want to see a new feature in SimpleSSH? Contact us within the app, tweet @simpleSSH or send us an email to support@hirmer.me. We’re happy to take SimpleSSH on the next level with you!
Plainly
Experience web browsing without distractions. This app offers a clean, full-screen interface with minimal controls, allowing you to focus solely on content. It includes features like quick tab switching, passcode protection for privacy, and dark mode.
- Full-screen browsing experience
- Intuitive tab switching
- Buttonless interface option
- Passcode protection for privacy
- Dark mode support
- Quick history clearing
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Plainly is a web browser for browsing your favorite web sites full-screen. No address bars, no toolbars, no status bars – just a small button at the bottom of your screen. - Tap the Plainly button at the bottom of the screen to switch tabs and access navigation options - Two button modes: draggable mode lets you move the Plainly button to wherever you want; quick-switching mode lets you switch between tabs by swiping left and right on the Plainly button. - Buttonless full-screen: Tap and hold with two fingers to completely hide the Plainly button. - Passcode protection: Require a passcode for browsing privately. Plainly will also hide what you're looking at in the app switcher. - And more! Quickly clear browsing history; shortcuts support for launching Plainly on a given tab; pop-up support for websites that require them; and dark mode.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: SimpleSSH at every 3 weeks against Plainly's every 9 months. SimpleSSH also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 16.6). Plainly's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 58%) and price ($0.99 vs $1.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
SimpleSSH costs $1.99 and Plainly $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SimpleSSH ships an update every 3 weeks, Plainly every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimpleSSH | Plainly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 3.4 (42 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 57.8% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 42 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Benedikt Hirmer | Justin Cheng |
Customer experience
SimpleSSH
Plainly
Bugs and requests
SimpleSSH
Reported bugs
23 issues- Handshake failed SSH connection
- App constantly crashing
- App crashes when clicking commands
- Command history doesn't work (up arrow)
- App crashes when executing a script
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- App freezes and closes on command execution
- App crashes in terminal mode
- Fails to connect via SSH
- Can't display htop
- Freezes when running vi
- Soft keyboard gets stuck
- Pasting previous history
- Nano editor fails to render
- Cannot type commands
- iOS 10 input issues
- Keyboard unusable after 'top' command
- Screen doesn't scale vertically
- Doesn't work with on-demand VPN
- Ctrl keys messed up with iPad Pro keyboard
- First few lines of output hidden
- File viewer crashes
- Tab stops not implemented
- No ESC key
Requested features
9 requests- Update the app
- Add fingerprint validation
- Improve iPad Pro keyboard support
- Add upload/download capabilities
- Sync scripts/SSH keys using iCloud/Dropbox
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Option to change font color & size
- More color options
- Dark background in terminal mode
- Custom icons on home page to trigger app actions
Plainly
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SimpleSSH
No in-app purchases
Plainly
No in-app purchases









