When Secure Shell (SSH) clients first started appearing for the iOS platform, it was extremely exciting, because IT pros could easily SSH into their computers from anywhere and perform tasks, or log into their spider web servers and update software. Equally the operating arrangement and clients have matured, in that location are ii articulate-cut winners in this infinite: Prompt and a new entrant chosen Cathode. Both clients accept fantabulous features, but they target 2 difference audiences. Let's take a look at both of these pieces of software, and I'll explain which i I remember is worth your hard-earned money.

Prompt

Prompt has been effectually for a few years and is built past the award-winning Os Ten software developers Panic, Inc. This no-nonsense application costs $vii.00 (USD) and lets y'all SSH (or employ unencrypted Telnet) into your systems while you lot're on the go. Information technology works over Wi-Fi and cellular connections to provide like shooting fish in a barrel access anywhere through SSH.

However, the software does trade aesthetics over functionality. You tin can open an SSH connection using either SSH credentials (username or countersign) or SSH keys that are synced over using iTunes. Unfortunately, the keys cannot be pasted directly into the awarding and must be synced over to the device.

To plant an SSH connection inside of Prompt, first download the awarding from the iTunes App Shop, then launch it. You'll be presented with your connection list after first launching the app. Follow these instructions to begin:

  1. Tap the plus sign [+] in the top bar
  2. In this view (Figure A), enter the SSH host and the port (the default is 22 unless you're using a not-standard port number to connect with); then enter your username and password (or tap the key icon to import your SSH keys)
  3. Tap the Connect button

Effigy A

Connecting to a server is easy, but if you're using SSH keys, be sure to sync them over beforehand.

Every bit an added security mensurate, you can leave the password field blank in gild to exist prompted each time you lot connect to the host. Once you lot're connected, yous'll see the Final appear. Y'all tin can brainstorm typing, and press the return key to submit the command. In a higher place the keyboard, role and other handy keys are available. The keys in the white spaces are assignable. To assign a key, merely tap and hold a cardinal, then press a key on the iOS keyboard to assign it to the hot central location (Figure B).

Figure B

Hands assign keys to the white buttons by borer and holding the button, then press a cardinal on the iOS keyboard to take its place.

To disconnect from the server or select another server to connect with simultaneously, simply printing the small-scale cloud button. This will take you lot back to your server list (Figure C). Servers that currently have a connection are listed with an squirt push button beside them. Tapping this eject push button will close the connection with the server, while tapping another server will open a simultaneous connection.

Figure C

Open connections are designated by the eject button that'due south used to shut the connection to the host.

The pros of Prompt: Information technology has a passcode lock for added security, supports Telnet, has VT100 capabilities, and provides agent forwarding.

The cons of Prompt: SSH keys must exist synced and cannot exist pasted into the app.

Cathode

Cathode is a relatively new entrant by the developer Secret Geometry, and it costs $4.99 (USD). This application on iOS is a port of its Os 10 counterpart. On Os X, Cathode is an alternative to the Last. Like its OS X counterpart, it brings a flair for the by with its existent-life 1980s Terminal visualizations. This app doesn't just accept a cool cistron though — it'due south got the features to make any ability user happy.

To establish an SSH connection with Cathode, you lot'll follow these steps later downloading and launching the application for the first time:

  1. Tap the plus sign [+] in the upper right-hand corner of the screen
  2. Tap the Untitled Bookmark that'due south created
  3. Enter the Championship, Server, Port, User, and Countersign (Figure D)
  4. If you're using an SSH key, y'all can tap the none key and paste in your central from the clipboard, or y'all can sync information technology over through iTunes
  5. When your information has been entered, the New Session push button volition light up in a green color; tap it to begin a new session with the host

Figure D

Creating an SSH connexion with Cathode couldn't be easier. Just enter your credentials.

Once a session has been established with the server, you'll see the Final beingness emulated to look like it was from the 1980s, with a realistic CRT style reflection and font. Cathode really is cute to behold. Swipe down from the top of the screen to get admission to the toolbar, which will let yous hide the keyboard for optimum viewing when long commands are running (Figure Eastward).

Figure E

Cathode gives onetime-style Final visual appeal by creating a realistic CRT brandish.

To open a new connection or shut the current connection, swipe dorsum when in the Final view to get to the host detail view. Here, you can tap New Session to beginning a new session, or you can see the current running sessions for the same host. This is a pretty nifty feature of Cathode, because you can commencement multiple sessions for the aforementioned host and meet the time that you've been continued (Figure F). To disconnect from a current session, swipe from right to left on the session that'due south currently connected or tap the Logout button in the navigation bar.

Figure F

Create a New Session or close an existing 1 from the host item view.

The pros of Cathode: It offers multiple concurrent sessions, detects nearby computers using Bonjour, paste keys with the clipboard, and has the power to hibernate the iPhone keyboard.

The cons of Cathode: Text in the UI tin exist a scrap difficult to read when items scroll past rapidly.

The bottom line

Both applications are great — they provide connectivity and features that would make any modern day SSH user happy. But, for the price, I adopt what Cathode has to offering. It not only has the eye candy of using a Terminal from the 80s, only it too provides great features like the ability to plant multiple SSH sessions with the same auto, perform multiple user-specifiable tweaks to the user interface, and add your SSH keys without having to deal with iTunes syncing.

Exercise yous apply 1 of these SSH clients, or is there some other one that you prefer? Permit us know in the comments below.