Termius is the most well-known cross-platform SSH client, but its Pro plan costs $10/month billed annually. If you're looking for another option for iPhone, iPad, or Android, there are free and more affordable alternatives: Blink Shell, Prompt 3, ConnectBot, and termi1. Here is how they compare across platforms, published pricing, and Mosh support.
What to look for in a mobile SSH client
- Keys: generates and imports ed25519 keys without forcing you to use passwords.
- Keyboard: easily accessible Ctrl, Esc, Tab, and arrow keys.
- Mosh or reconnection: keeps sessions alive through network drops and handoffs.
- Sync: whether sync is supported and which tier includes it.
- Pricing: what is genuinely free versus behind a paywall.
Comparison (pricing verified October 18, 2026)
| Client | Platforms | Published pricing | Mosh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termius | iOS, Android, desktop | Free Starter; Pro $10/mo (billed annually); Team $20 and Business $30 per user/mo | Yes |
| Blink Shell | iOS, iPadOS | 2-week free trial; then $19.99/year | Yes |
| Prompt 3 | iOS, iPadOS, Mac, visionOS | Free download with in-app purchase (one purchase unlocks all 4 platforms) | Yes |
| ConnectBot | Android | Free and open-source (v1.11.1, October 13, 2026) | Yes |
| termi1 | iPhone, iPad (iOS/iPadOS 15 or later) and Android; free termi1 Companion for Mac (macOS 14 or later) | Full terminal free with no account required; optional AI+: €2.99/mo or €19.99/yr; Companion free | Yes |
Sources: termius.com/pricing, blink.sh, panic.com/prompt, ConnectBot GitHub releases, and termi1.com.
Where termi1 fits in
termi1 is an SSH, Mosh, and SFTP terminal for iPhone, iPad, and Android. On the App Store, it is a universal app: a single download covers both iPhone and iPad (requires iOS or iPadOS 15 or later). The terminal is completely free with no account required. Signing in with Apple or Google gives you three AI commands per day. The AI pastes the command into the prompt, but it never presses Enter for you. On connections marked as production, Production Guard ensures nothing is ever sent automatically.
If you connect to your own Mac, termi1 Companion (free, macOS 14 or later, available at termi1.com) sets everything up right from the menu bar: it verifies Remote Login, Mosh, and tmux, and pairs your mobile device using a six-digit code.
AI+ removes the daily limit on AI commands and costs €2.99/month or €19.99/year. Through October 31, 2026, the first 100 spots get it for free, complete with a founder badge and a lifetime discount (source: termi1.com, verified October 18, 2026).
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Termius on iPhone?
Yes. termi1 is free and does not require an account to use the full terminal. Prompt 3 is a free download that unlocks features through an in-app purchase. Termius also offers a free Starter plan, though it excludes cloud syncing.
Which mobile SSH clients support Mosh?
All five listed in the table: Termius, Blink Shell, Prompt 3, ConnectBot, and termi1. Prompt 3 also supports Eternal Terminal. Before picking one, make sure your server has mosh-server installed and UDP ports 60000–61000 open.
Does termi1 work on iPad?
Yes. termi1 is a universal app on the App Store: the same free download works on iPhone and iPad running iPadOS 15 or later. On wider screens, it displays a pinned sidebar with your saved connections.
Do I need an account to use termi1?
No. The terminal, voice dictation, and SSH, Mosh, and SFTP connections all work without an account. An account is only required to sync connections and snippets across devices and to use AI commands.
How much does termi1 AI+ cost?
€2.99 per month or €19.99 per year. Without AI+, the full terminal remains completely free, including three daily AI commands if you sign in with Apple or Google. Through October 31, 2026, the first 100 spots receive AI+ for free.