Secure ShellFish
What Secure ShellFish is
Secure ShellFish is an SSH and SFTP client with a native terminal for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It connects servers to the iOS Files app and Mac Finder, allowing file browsing, in-place editing, and permission changes. The terminal offers native rendering, file-aware drag-and-drop, OSC 52 clipboard synchronization, and inline link detection. Authentication supports passwords, public keys, and two-factor authentication, along with ED25519, ECDSA, and RSA keys, YubiKeys, Secure Enclave keys, and short-lived SSH certificates. Server settings sync through iCloud Keychain, while snippets sync through iCloud. Shortcuts can upload, download, list directories, run commands, back up data, or start a terminal. The app can launch Linux virtual machines on DigitalOcean or Hetzner Cloud. Pro features include offline folders, video streaming from Files, and tmux session controls.
Who it suits
Secure ShellFish suits Apple-device users who manage SSH or SFTP servers and want terminal, file, synchronization, and Shortcuts access. Pro features target users needing offline folders, media streaming, or tmux controls.
What it does well
- Native SSH and SFTP terminal
- Supports multiple key types and two-factor authentication
- Connects servers with Files and Finder
- iCloud syncs configurations and snippets
- Shortcuts automate uploads, commands, and backups
What to know first
- Some Pro features require an unlock
- Available only on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free to try; some Pro features require an unlock | Free |
| Pro Unlock | One purchase unlocks every pro feature across iPhone, iPad and Mac for life · Lifetime access to Pro features across iPhone, iPad and Mac | On request |
| Monthly | Pay monthly if you prefer · Pro features; price not stated on the page | On request |
As shellfishapp.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Secure ShellFish brings server terminals and file access into Apple devices with broad authentication and automation support. The free version is available, but several capabilities require an unspecified Pro purchase or subscription.
Facts from Secure ShellFish's own pages
- Authentication
- It supports password, public-key and two-factor authentication, and can use ED25519, ECDSA or RSA keys, YubiKeys, Secure Enclave keys and short-lived SSH certificates. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Automation
- Shortcuts actions include upload, download, listing directories, running commands, backup and starting a terminal. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Cloud integrations
- The app can launch Linux virtual machines on DigitalOcean droplets or Hetzner Cloud and destroy them when no longer needed. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Files access
- It connects SSH and SFTP servers to the iOS Files app and Mac Finder, where users can browse, edit files in place and change permissions. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Media playback
- Pro users can stream videos from the Files app without downloading them first. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Offline files
- Pro Unlock enables offline folders with foreground and background syncing, resumable partial downloads and failure notifications. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Secure ShellFish is an SSH and SFTP client with a native terminal for iPhone, iPad and Mac. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker invites questions and feature suggestions by email and says Anders will do his best to assist. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Sync
- Server configurations sync between devices through iCloud Keychain, and snippets sync through iCloud. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Terminal
- The terminal supports native rendering, file-aware drag-and-drop, OSC 52 clipboard sync and inline link detection. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Terminal multiplexing
- It supports tmux session thumbnails, attaching and detaching clients, sharing sessions by universal link and Handoff between Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Widgets
- Home Screen, Lock Screen, StandBy and Apple Watch widgets can display server data provided through a shell command, with Live Activities for ongoing tasks. · shellfishapp.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where Secure ShellFish stands on Freedom251
- SSH Clients#16 of 33