Termphin vs Secure ShellFish

Secure ShellFish puts your servers into the Files app on iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a terminal that keeps sessions through tmux. Termphin is a free SSH client whose shell keeps running on the server through its own agent.

TermphinFree
Secure ShellFishFree, Pro from $2.99/mo
Connection
Session survives a dropped connection
Agent on the server keeps the shell, on by default
Built-in tmux support
SSH
Yes
Yes
Jump hosts
Included, chains too
Not listed
Port forwarding
Local and remote
Not listed
Files
File access
Browser with code editor and image preview
Servers in the Files app and Finder, cached offline
Upload
From the device, into the folder you are in
Upload through Files on Pro
Keys and security
Hardware-backed keys
No
Secure Enclave, security keys, certificates
Key storage
Encrypted on the device, key held by the system keystore
iCloud Keychain
Working in the terminal
Snippets
With run history
Synced over iCloud
Key toolbar
Editable key toolbar and action dock
Bar above the keyboard, gestures for arrows
Automation
No
Shortcuts, widgets, Live Activity
Price and platforms
Price
Free, nothing to buy
Pro $2.99/mo, $14.99/yr or $29.99 once
Ads
None
In the terminal on the free version
Server limit
None
Unlimited on Pro
Sync
Soon
Hosts and keys over iCloud
Included Partly, or on a paid plan Not available Soon In progress

Last reviewed , against the sources listed at the end of this page.

Which one is for you

Pick Termphin if you want

  • Free without limits

    No ads in the terminal and no cap on servers. Termphin has no paid tier.

  • Persistence without tmux

    Termphin's open-source agent keeps the shell alive without tmux on the server. You reattach to the same session with its scrollback.

  • Tunnels and jump hosts

    Local and remote port forwarding and jump hosts, neither of which ShellFish lists.

Pick Secure ShellFish if you want

  • Your servers as folders

    Server directories show up in the Files app and Finder, so any editor can open a remote file. Drag files into the terminal to upload them.

  • Apple integration

    Shortcuts automation, widgets, Live Activity, Handoff between devices and iCloud sync for hosts, keys and snippets.

  • Hardware-backed keys

    Keys in the Secure Enclave, security keys and short-lived SSH certificates.

Moving from Secure ShellFish

  1. Keep ShellFish for now

    Nothing has to go. Try Termphin on the hosts you use most.

  2. Bring your key

    Import a private key file into Termphin, or generate a new Ed25519 key. Keys kept in the Secure Enclave cannot be exported.

  3. Add your hosts

    Each host is a profile with address, user and key.

Try Termphin

A free SSH client whose sessions survive a dropped connection.

Get Termphin

Sources

Every Secure ShellFish fact on this page comes from these, checked on . Plans change - if something here is out of date, tell us at [email protected].