The best SFTP app for iOS in 2026

The short answer

SFTP is secure file transfer over SSH — the right way to move files to and from a server from your iPhone or iPad. The best choice depends on how you work: Secure ShellFish is the pick if you want your servers to appear inside the iOS Files app; TermAI is best if you want SFTP and a full SSH terminal (with an AI assistant) in one app; Termius fits if you already use it across devices. Here's an honest comparison.

iOS SFTP apps at a glance

Secure ShellFish — best Files-app integration

Secure ShellFish's signature trick is mounting your servers into the iOS Files app, so SFTP folders sit right next to iCloud Drive. You can open, edit, and move files with any app that uses the Files picker. If "I just want my server's files to show up in Files" is your goal, this is the cleanest answer.

Best for: drag-and-drop file work through the Files app.
Trade-off: its terminal is secondary; some features are paid.

TermAI — best SFTP + terminal in one

TermAI gives you an SFTP file browser and a full SSH terminal in the same app — so you can transfer a config file and then immediately run commands on the same server without switching tools. You can also edit text files in place — open a .conf, .yaml, .sh, or .env right in the app, change a line, and save it back to the server — and bookmark the folders you keep returning to. It also has an AI assistant (describe a task, get a command to review and run) and built-in Tailscale, with the same app on Android. If your file transfers are part of actually administering the box, having both in one place is the win.

Best for: people who transfer files and run commands on the same servers.
Trade-off: SFTP is an in-app browser rather than Files-app integration.

Termius — if you already use it

Termius includes SFTP in its Pro tier and syncs your hosts across phone and desktop. If you're already in the Termius ecosystem, its SFTP is a natural extension; if you're choosing fresh just for file transfer, the file-focused options above are more direct. See Termius alternatives.

FTPManager and Documents

FTPManager is a long-standing multi-protocol client (SFTP, FTP, FTPS) focused purely on file transfer — handy if you also deal with old FTP servers. Documents by Readdle is a free file manager that can connect to SFTP servers; it's not a developer tool but works for occasional transfers. Neither gives you a terminal.

How to pick

• Servers in the Files app → Secure ShellFish
• SFTP + a real terminal (and AI) → TermAI
• Already on Termius → Termius Pro SFTP
• Also need plain FTP/FTPS → FTPManager

FAQ

What is SFTP, and is it the same as FTP?
No. SFTP is file transfer over the encrypted SSH protocol (port 22). Plain FTP is unencrypted and should be avoided. If your server has SSH, it has SFTP.

Is there a free SFTP app for iPhone?
Yes — Secure ShellFish and Termius have free tiers, TermAI has a free tier, and Documents by Readdle is free. Paid unlocks add power-user features.

Can I edit files over SFTP on iOS?
Yes. With Secure ShellFish you edit through the Files app; with TermAI or Termius you edit in-app or open in your editor of choice.

Quick Facts

• Topic: best SFTP app for iOS in 2026
• Best Files-app integration: Secure ShellFish
• Best SFTP + terminal in one: TermAI (with AI assistant, Android too)
• SFTP: secure file transfer over SSH (port 22) — not the same as plain FTP