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Secure ShellFish
What it 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, where users can browse files, edit them in place, and change permissions. Terminal features include native rendering, file-aware drag-and-drop, OSC 52 clipboard synchronization, and inline link detection. Authentication options include passwords, public keys, and two-factor authentication, with ED25519, ECDSA, or RSA keys, YubiKeys, Secure Enclave keys, and short-lived SSH certificates. Server configurations sync through iCloud Keychain, while snippets sync through iCloud. Shortcuts actions can upload or download files, list directories, run commands, back up data, or start a terminal. The app can launch Linux virtual machines on DigitalOcean droplets or Hetzner Cloud and destroy them when no longer needed. Pro features include offline folders with syncing, video streaming from Files without first downloading, and tmux session controls. The Free plan costs nothing; some Pro features require an unlock. Pro Unlock is listed without a price and provides lifetime access across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
For and against
For
- Connects servers to Files and Finder
- Supports password, public-key, and two-factor authentication
- Includes Shortcuts actions for file and terminal tasks
- Free plan is available
Against
- Some Pro features require an unlock
The verdict
Secure ShellFish combines remote file access with a native terminal and several authentication methods. The free plan is available, but users who need Pro features should note that the listed unlock options do not state prices.
Who it suits
Secure ShellFish suits people managing SSH or SFTP servers from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Its Files and Finder access, authentication options, and Shortcuts actions may help users who work with remote files or commands.
Plans and prices
Free
Free to try; some Pro features require an unlock
Read 7 Oct 2026 · shellfishapp.com
Monthly
Pro features; price not stated on the page
Read 7 Oct 2026 · shellfishapp.com
Pro Unlock
Lifetime access to Pro features across iPhone, iPad and Mac
Read 7 Oct 2026 · shellfishapp.com
On the record
- 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 · read 7 Oct 2026
- Automation
- Shortcuts actions include upload, download, listing directories, running commands, backup and starting a terminal.shellfishapp.com · read 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 · read 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 · read 7 Oct 2026
- Media playback
- Pro users can stream videos from the Files app without downloading them first.shellfishapp.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Offline files
- Pro Unlock enables offline folders with foreground and background syncing, resumable partial downloads and failure notifications.shellfishapp.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Secure ShellFish is an SSH and SFTP client with a native terminal for iPhone, iPad and Mac.shellfishapp.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker invites questions and feature suggestions by email and says Anders will do his best to assist.shellfishapp.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Sync
- Server configurations sync between devices through iCloud Keychain, and snippets sync through iCloud.shellfishapp.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Terminal
- The terminal supports native rendering, file-aware drag-and-drop, OSC 52 clipboard sync and inline link detection.shellfishapp.com · read 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 · read 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 · read 7 Oct 2026
