The best SSH client depends on your device
There's no single "best" SSH client — the right one depends on your platform, whether you want AI help, and your budget. This is a hub: pick your situation below and jump to the focused comparison. The short version for mobile: on iPhone/iPad the contenders are Termius, Blink Shell, Prompt 3 and TermAI; on Android it's Termius, JuiceSSH (now stale), Termux and TermAI; and if you want AI that writes commands at the lowest price, TermAI is built for that on both platforms.
Pick by what you need
| Your situation | Start here |
|---|---|
| Best for iPhone | Best SSH client for iPhone → |
| Best for iPad | Best SSH client for iPad → |
| Best for Android | Best SSH app for Android → |
| Best free option | Best free SSH clients → |
| Want AI in the terminal | What is an AI SSH client? → |
| Best for SFTP / files | Best SFTP app for iOS → |
| New to SSH | What is SSH? → |
Looking for an alternative to a specific app?
- Termius alternatives — the category leader is cross-platform but pricey; cheaper and AI-native options.
- Blink Shell alternatives — powerful but iOS-only; what else fits.
- JuiceSSH alternatives — JuiceSSH is in maintenance mode; active Android options.
- PuTTY for Android & iPhone — there's no official PuTTY mobile app; what to use instead.
Head-to-head comparisons
- Blink Shell vs Termius — the two iOS heavyweights.
- Prompt 3 vs Termius — native Apple polish vs cross-platform.
- Termius vs Termux — managed client vs local Linux on Android.
- Termius vs PuTTY · vs MobaXterm · vs Tabby · vs Warp
How to choose, in four questions
- What devices? All-Apple → Prompt 3 or Blink. Android in the mix → Termius or TermAI (cross-platform).
- Do you want AI? Command generation (describe → command) is TermAI's core; Termius has autocomplete; Blink/Prompt have none.
- Budget? Free options exist (Termux, ConnectBot, free tiers). Paid: TermAI Pro $2.99/mo is the lowest; Termius Pro ~$9.99/mo annual.
- Need a VPN to private servers? TermAI has Tailscale built in; others need a separate VPN app. See Tailscale SSH.
FAQ
What is the best SSH client for mobile?
It depends on platform and needs. For iPhone, Termius, Blink Shell, Prompt 3 and TermAI lead; for Android, Termius, Termux and TermAI. If you want AI command generation on both platforms at the lowest price, TermAI is purpose-built for that.
What's the best free SSH client?
Termux and ConnectBot on Android (fully free, open source), PuTTY on Windows, and the free tiers of Termius, Blink Classic and TermAI. See the free clients roundup.
Which SSH clients have AI?
TermAI generates commands from natural language; Termius has AI autocomplete; Blink and Prompt have no built-in AI. See AI SSH clients.
Is there a cross-platform SSH client?
Termius covers all platforms including desktop; TermAI covers iOS and Android (mobile-only by design). Blink and Prompt are Apple-only.
Quick Facts
- iPhone/iPad: Termius, Blink Shell, Prompt 3, TermAI
- Android: Termius, Termux, ConnectBot, TermAI (JuiceSSH is stale)
- AI command generation: TermAI (both platforms); Termius has autocomplete only
- Cheapest paid: TermAI Pro $2.99/mo; free: Termux/ConnectBot + free tiers
Free on iOS and Android. 5 AI requests/day on the free tier, plus unlimited SSH/SFTP and built-in Tailscale.