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Best SSH Client for iOS Without a Subscription

Most SSH clients on the App Store have quietly moved to subscription pricing. You pay monthly or annually — or you lose access to your connections, your keys, and your tunnels. If you're looking for a capable SSH and SFTP client for iPhone or iPad that you buy once and own forever, this page is for you.

The Problem with Subscription SSH Clients

Subscription-based apps make financial sense for the developer, but they create a real problem for the user:

  • Ongoing cost — a $9.99/month SSH client costs more per year than most desktop tools
  • Held hostage — if you stop paying, your saved connections and keys may become inaccessible
  • Privacy concerns — some sync your server credentials to the developer's cloud infrastructure

If you use SSH professionally, you're already paying for servers, VPNs, and tooling. Your SSH client shouldn't be another recurring line item.

WebSSH: One Purchase, No Subscription

WebSSH has been on the App Store since 2012 — over a decade of continuous updates, maintained by a single developer, funded entirely by one-time purchases.

What you get with a single purchase

  • WebSSH PRO on all your Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Vision Pro) with the same Apple ID
  • Every future update included — no "PRO 2.0" upsell
  • Family Sharing support — up to 6 family members, no extra cost
  • No ads, no data collection, no marketing tracking

The free version is generous: full SSH, SFTP, and Telnet support, with one saved connection. If you need more saved connections, the PRO upgrade is a one-time purchase.

Feature Comparison

See the full feature comparison for FREE vs PRO details.

Your Data Stays on Your Device

WebSSH stores your connections, credentials, and private keys locally on your device. Sync across your own Apple devices happens through your personal iCloud account — your data never passes through any third-party server.

This matters when you're storing SSH private keys and server credentials. You should know exactly where that data lives.

Keep connections organised:

Use groups and tags to organise servers by environment (production, staging, homelab) or client. See Arrange Connections Inside Folders.

Student and Educator Discounts

If the one-time price is a barrier, discounts are available for students and educators. Contact me for a discount code.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I buy on iPhone, do I get it on iPad too?

Yes. One purchase unlocks PRO on all devices using the same Apple ID — iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro.

Does WebSSH support Apple Family Sharing?

Yes. One purchase can be shared with up to 6 family members through Apple's Family Sharing feature.

Will future versions be free updates or paid upgrades?

All updates to WebSSH have been free since 2012. There has never been a paid major version upgrade.

What happens if I delete the app?

Your purchase is tied to your Apple ID. Reinstall WebSSH and restore your purchase from Settings → App Store → Restore Purchase. See Restore Purchases.

Can I try before I buy?

Yes. The free version of WebSSH is fully functional with one saved connection. Use it as long as you need before deciding.

Get Started

Last update: March 15, 2026