Best Terminal Emulator Apps & Games

247+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.2 avg rating
20 free apps & games
Updated August 2026

Every iPhone needs a few good terminal emulator apps and games. We benchmark 247+ of them on App Store rating, freshness, and pricing, then surface the standouts so you don't have to scroll the App Store yourself.

Compare top Terminal Emulator Apps & Games (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1iSH ShelliSH ShellFree4.7★ (1.2K)NoNoAug 2026
2Termius - Modern SSH ClientTermius - Modern SSH ClientFree4.7★ (19K)NoYesAug 2026
3TermuxTermuxFree was $9.994.6★ (1.9K)YesYesAug 2026
4Terminal Emulator appTerminal Emulator appFree1.0★ (3)NoNoJul 2026
5a-Shella-ShellFree4.6★ (535)NoNoAug 2026
6Terminal#Terminal#Free4.5★ (153)NoYesAug 2026
7Terminal Emulator PlusTerminal Emulator PlusFree1.0★ (1)YesNoMay 2026
8a-Shell minia-Shell miniFree4.6★ (113)NoNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Terminal Emulator

iSH Shell#1

iSH Shell by Theodore Dubois

Linux in your pocket
Editor's Choice
🛠️ Developer Tools
4.7😊(1.2K ratings)
Free
#16in Developer Tools
iSH Shell screenshot 1

Experience a Linux-like command-line environment directly on your iOS device. This application allows you to perform common Linux operations such as editing, moving, and manipulating files using familiar commands.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Excellent Linux environment
  • 👍 Great for SSH and network utilities
  • 💡 Allows running Linux apps on iOS
  • 🔒 Secure and sandboxed

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔋 Battery intensive
  • ⚠️ Limited functionality compared to full Linux
Termius - Modern SSH Client#2

Termius - Modern SSH Client by Termius Corporation

SFTP, Terminal, Telnet, PuTTY
Strong Contender
🛠️ Developer Tools
4.7😊(19K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#5in Developer Tools
Termius - Modern SSH Client screenshot 1
Termius - Modern SSH Client screenshot 2
Termius - Modern SSH Client screenshot 3
Termius - Modern SSH Client screenshot 4
Termius - Modern SSH Client screenshot 5
Termius - Modern SSH Client screenshot 6

This app provides a modern SSH client and terminal for seamless remote access across devices. It offers a desktop-grade terminal experience with advanced features like multi-tab support, custom themes, and saved commands. Securely manage connections and credentials with cloud sync and hardware key authentication.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Smooth and fast
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure with SSH/SFTP support
  • 💡 Useful features like port forwarding

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly
Termux#3

Termux by FREE AI UTILS COMPANY LIMITED

Terminal, SSH, iSH, FTP, Linux
Worth Considering
🛠️ Developer Tools
4.6😞(1.9K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Termux screenshot 1
Termux screenshot 2
Termux screenshot 3
Termux screenshot 4
Termux screenshot 5
Termux screenshot 6

This app is a powerful terminal emulator for iOS, offering quick and seamless access to remote servers. It allows for easy server management, command execution, and personalization of the terminal interface. Ideal for developers and system administrators working with remote systems.

What We Love

  • 👍 Great app
  • ⏱️ Saves time

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 App crashing
  • 🔔 Annoying notifications
  • 💰 Paid subscription

More Terminal Emulator apps to explore

4
Terminal Emulator app
Terminal Emulator app
Terminal Emulator app
Developer Tool
Free

This application provides a command-line interface for performing various developer tasks. It offers a web-based front-end for quick functions like conversions and calculations, along with full directory navigation capabilities.

PTY connection to shellWeb front-end for quick functionsCommon conversions and math
🛠️ Developer Tools
(3)
free
5
a-Shell
a-Shell
a-Shell
*Local* Unix terminal (& ssh)
Free

Run a full Unix-like terminal environment on your iOS device. Execute a wide range of commands, edit files, and even program using included interpreters and compilers. Supports multitasking and integration with Shortcuts.

Local Unix terminal emulatorSSH clientFile transfer (scp, curl)
🛠️ Developer Tools
(535)
paid
6
Terminal#
Terminal#
Terminal#
SSH client
Free

This app provides a secure and convenient way to manage your servers directly from your mobile device. It offers a powerful terminal interface for efficient server management on the go, with an intuitive design suitable for all users.

Secure SSH connectionConvenient server managementIntuitive user interface
🛠️ Developer Tools
(153)
subscription
7
Terminal Emulator Plus
Terminal Emulator Plus
Terminal Emulator Plus
Terminal Emulator TTY
Free

This utility app provides access to various shell types for simplified terminal-optimized tasks. It features a friendly web front-end for quick functions like conversions and calculations.

Access different shell typesTerminal-optimized tasksPTY connection
🔧 Utilities
(1)
ad-supported
8
a-Shell mini
a-Shell mini
a-Shell mini
*Local* Unix terminal (& ssh)
Free

Run Unix commands locally on your iOS device with a powerful terminal emulator. Supports file transfer, editing, scripting with Python and Lua, and network utilities. Integrates with Shortcuts and supports multiple windows for multitasking.

Local Unix terminal emulatorSSH clientFile transfer (scp, curl)
🛠️ Developer Tools
(113)
paid
9
RetroArch
RetroArch
RetroArch
A frontend for emulators
Free

This application serves as a versatile frontend for emulators and game engines, supporting a vast array of systems through downloadable cores. It offers advanced features like netplay, save states, and customizable controls for an enhanced gaming experience.

Supports numerous gaming systems via libretro coresNetplay for multiplayer gamingSave states and fast forward/rewind
🎮 Games
(1.8K)
free
10
Zelmux
Zelmux
Zelmux
Zellij terminal on the go
Free
🔧 Utilities
(0)
11
xTerminal - SSH Terminal Shell
xTerminal - SSH Terminal Shell
xTerminal - SSH Terminal Shell
SSH Client, Shell Console Term
Free

Manage servers remotely with a fast and secure SSH terminal client. Features include a powerful editor, multi-session management, file transfer, and advanced security options. Ideal for IT professionals and developers needing to control servers from anywhere.

Interactive SSH terminalBuilt-in vi/vim editorMulti-session management
🛠️ Developer Tools
(1.9K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Phosphor Emulator
Phosphor Emulator
Phosphor Emulator
Premium GBC & GBA Emulator
Free

This app provides a premium emulation experience for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games on modern iOS devices. It features advanced controls, instant save states, and unique functionalities like rewinding gameplay and AI play.

Rewind and fast-forward gameplayInstant save and load statesCustomizable touch controls
🎮 Games
(12)
free with in-app purchases
13
ServerCat - SSH Terminal
ServerCat - SSH Terminal
ServerCat - SSH Terminal
Monitor & Shell & Automation
Free

Monitor your Linux servers and Docker containers directly from your mobile device. View detailed resource usage, network traffic, and container stats. Offers an SSH terminal for remote management and automation capabilities.

Server status monitoringCPU, GPU, Memory usageNetwork traffic and speed
🛠️ Developer Tools
(993)
free with in-app purchases
14
Nodeterm
Nodeterm
Nodeterm
SSH & tmux, everywhere
Free
🛠️ Developer Tools
(0)
15
Termify - AI SSH Terminal
Termify - AI SSH Terminal
Termify - AI SSH Terminal
SFTP, CMD, PuTTY, Terminus
Free
🛠️ Developer Tools
(0)
16
Nyushu Emulator
Nyushu Emulator
Nyushu Emulator
Nyushu Emulator Games Toolkit
Free
🔧 Utilities
(0)
17
SmartTE Terminal Emulation
SmartTE Terminal Emulation
SmartTE Terminal Emulation
by StayLinked Corporation
Free

This app provides reliable wireless terminal emulation for business environments, ensuring secure and high-speed connections without dropped sessions. It modernizes green screen applications into intuitive graphical interfaces for enhanced productivity on touchscreen devices.

Wireless terminal emulationModernizes green screen appsSecure data transmission
💼 Business
(5)
free
18
Nova Emulator
Nova Emulator
Nova Emulator
Fast, Smooth & No Pop-up Ads
Free

Play classic console games on your smartphone with this high-performance emulator. Enjoy smooth gameplay, save states, fast forward, and display filters. Supports a wide range of retro consoles and offers cheat code functionality.

High-performance emulation (60fps)Virtual gamepad with radial dialSave and load game states
🔧 Utilities
(1)
free with in-app purchases
19
Wavelink TE
Wavelink TE
Wavelink TE
by IVANTI, INC.
Free

This utility app provides terminal emulation for mobile devices, supporting various emulation types and offering extensive customization for enterprise use. It enhances productivity and accuracy with features like custom keyboards and scanner integration.

Multiple emulation type support (5250, 3270, VT)Customizable keyboards with macrosUse camera as scanner
🔧 Utilities
(4)
free
20
REmu — Retro Emulator
REmu — Retro Emulator
REmu — Retro Emulator
Bring your own classics
Free

This app allows you to import and play your own classic game ROMs on your device. It features a clean library, automatic system detection, and customizable controls, including gamepad support. Enjoy your retro gaming collection with smooth rendering and save states.

Import your own ROMsOrganized game libraryMetal-accelerated rendering
🎬 Entertainment
(1)
free

FAQ about Terminal Emulator

What are the best terminal emulator apps & games for iPhone?
iSH Shell tops our terminal emulator apps & games ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 1.2K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top terminal emulator apps & games we rank are free to download, including iSH Shell and Termius - Modern SSH Client.
iSH Shell has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 247+ terminal emulator apps & games on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
iSH Shell provides a Linux-like command-line environment on your iOS device. It allows you to execute common Linux commands for tasks like editing files with tools such as sed and cat, moving files, and other file management operations.
Key features include a Linux-like shell, the ability to edit files using commands like sed and cat, and general file manipulation capabilities. It essentially brings a pocket Linux experience to your iPhone or iPad.

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