SecureCRT vs Holiday Messenger
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SecureCRT
This app provides secure remote access and terminal emulation for business applications on mobile devices. It offers advanced session management, allowing users to organize connections and import settings from desktop versions. Supports various emulation types and customizable session configurations.
- SSH/Telnet remote access
- Terminal emulation
- Advanced session management
- Session organization with folders
- Import desktop sessions
- Multiple simultaneous sessions
- Customizable session settings
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SecureCRT is a go-anywhere SSH/Telnet app with rock-solid remote access and terminal emulation on your iPhone and iPad. SecureCRT has advanced session management that lets you create folders to organize sessions and import sessions from your desktop version of SecureCRT. SecureCRT makes it easy to: - Access business applications securely on UNIX, Linux, or VMS from your iPhone or iPad with rich emulation support. - Configure, manage, and customize sessions to keep on top of your workload. - Depend on the open standard Secure Shell (SSH2) protocol. Key Features: - Choose from emulations like VT100/102/220, ANSI, SCO ANSI, Wyse 50/60, Xterm, and Linux console - Customize session settings for firewalls, logon data, authentication, agent, emulation, ANSI, font, and more - Import sessions from your desktop version of SecureCRT - Run multiple sessions at a time - Connect to the same host multiple times - Organize sessions into folders - Troubleshoot connections with trace options
Holiday Messenger
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Send personalized holiday greetings to everyone you care about - without group texts! HolidayMessenger lets you write your message once, choose your recipients, and send individual personal texts to each person. Each message is sent separately (not a group chat), so replies stay private!! Create templates for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, personalize with names automatically, and send manually (free) or automate with Pro features. All your data stays on your device - privacy first, always. --- DETAILED FEATURES Message Templates • Create and save custom message templates for any occasion • Pre-loaded templates included for holidays, birthdays, and special events • Personalize with {FullName} and {FirstName} placeholders • Organize by category: Holidays, Birthdays, General, Seasonal • Edit, favorite, and manage your templates Smart Contact Selection • Native iOS contact picker with built-in search • Multiple phone number support • Create custom recipient groups and edit them anytime • Combine saved groups with ad-hoc picks • Access existing groups from your Contacts app Two Ways to Send FREE VERSION: • Compose your message and select recipients • Send manually through Apple's Messages app • Each message requires a quick tap to send • Perfect for smaller lists or one-off messages • Free messages end with a short "-Sent using HolidayMessenger" signature (removed in Pro) PRO VERSION ($1.99 one-time purchase): • Automated sending via Apple Shortcuts • Send to all recipients with one tap - no per-message interaction needed • Secure token-based system ensures your data stays private Message History • See all your sent messages in one place • View personalized messages for each recipient • Track when messages were sent • Delete individual or all history entries ***Privacy First*** • All data stored locally on your device • No cloud storage or third-party servers • Your contacts never leave your device • No tracking or analytics • Full control over your data PERFECT FOR • Holiday greetings (Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving, etc.) • Birthday wishes • Thank you messages • Congratulations and celebrations • Staying in touch with friends and family • Sending personalized messages to groups without group chat chaos HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a template or write a custom message 2. Select your recipients from contacts 3. Review and personalize if needed 4. Send all at once (Pro) or send manually one by one (Free) For Pro users, the HolidayMessengerPro Shortcut handles automated sending through your Messages app, making it effortless to send personalized greetings to everyone on your list. FREE TO START HolidayMessenger is free to download and use. The free version includes: • Unlimited template creation • Contact selection and management • Manual message sending • Message history • All core messaging features Upgrade to Pro for just $1.99 (one-time purchase) to unlock: • Automated sending via Shortcuts • No per-message taps required WHY HOLIDAYMESSENGER? We've all been there - the holidays roll around and you want to send warm wishes to 20, 30, or even 50 people. But sending individual texts takes forever, and nobody wants to be stuck in a group text where everyone's replies ping your phone all day long. HolidayMessenger solves this by letting you write your message once, choose who should receive it, and send it as individual, personal texts to each person. It's like you typed them out one by one, but done in minutes instead of hours. Perfect for busy people who want to stay connected without the hassle. SUPPORT Questions or need help? We're here for you: • Email: support@holidaymessenger.com • Website: holidaymessenger.com • Privacy Policy: Available in app and on our website Download HolidayMessenger today and make sending personalized messages effortless!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Holiday Messenger at Free against SecureCRT's $9.99. Holiday Messenger also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). SecureCRT's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Holiday Messenger is free to download; SecureCRT costs $9.99 up front. Holiday Messenger sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. SecureCRT asks for nothing beyond the download.
SecureCRT ships an update every 4 months, Holiday Messenger every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SecureCRT | Holiday Messenger |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 2.9 (31 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 35.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 31 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | VanDyke Software | Michael Ladd |
In-app purchases
SecureCRT
No in-app purchases
Holiday Messenger
- Holiday Messenger Pro$1.99
- HolidayMessengerPro$3.99
Questions
Is SecureCRT free?
Is Holiday Messenger free?
Do SecureCRT or Holiday Messenger have ads?
Which is updated more often, SecureCRT or Holiday Messenger?
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