Blink Shell

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2016
Developer: Blink Shell (open-source project)
Pricing: Freemium
Open source: Yes
Platforms: iOS

Indexes

Terminal Emulators

Overview

Blink Shell is a professional-grade terminal emulator for iOS that enables users to connect to remote servers via SSH and Mosh protocols. Designed for developers and system administrators, it provides a desktop-like command-line experience on Apple mobile devices with support for stable connections, local Unix utilities, and full SSH configuration options. The application stands out by offering Mosh support for mobile-optimized connections and integrating with iOS features like Files.app and Siri Shortcuts.

Key Features

SSH and Mosh Support - Connects to remote hosts using SSH and Mosh protocols for stable, mobile-optimized connections.
Local Unix Utilities - Includes command-line tools such as ssh, mosh, tar, gzip, dig, ping, and file management commands.
PKI and SSH Agent - Supports Ed25519, ECDSA, and RSA keys with SSH tunneling, proxy commands, and agent forwarding.
SFTP and Files.app Integration - Access remote files via SFTP and integrate with iOS Files.app for seamless file management.
Multi-Shell Management - Create and switch between multiple terminal sessions using gestures or keyboard shortcuts.
Customizable Interface - Adjust font size, themes, keyboard shortcuts, and terminal appearance to user preferences.
Device Synchronization - Sync configuration and settings across multiple iOS devices.
External Keyboard Support - Full support for external keyboards and keyboard shortcuts for desktop-like workflow.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Blink Shell Classic	Free	Basic terminal functionality with limited features
Build Basic	$7.99/month or $9.99 one-time	50 credits per month for Build features
Blink+	$19.99 one-time or subscription	Full professional features and updates
Blink+Build	$19.99	Combined Blink+ and Build features

Platforms & Requirements

Blink Shell runs exclusively on iOS, requiring iOS 17.6 or later. It is optimized for iPhone and iPad with support for external keyboards and AirPlay multi-screen functionality. The app leverages iOS system features including Files.app integration and Siri Shortcuts, with no versions available for macOS, Android, or other platforms.

Integrations & Ecosystem

SSH key management
Siri Shortcuts
Files.app integration
SFTP file access
Mosh protocol
SSH tunneling and proxy commands
SSH agent forwarding
External keyboard support

Alternatives

App	Difference
Prompt 3	More polished iOS SSH client but lacks Mosh support and some advanced configuration options.
a-Shell	Open-source iOS terminal that emulates Alpine Linux and includes direct filesystem access, though less focused on remote SSH connections.
Termius	Cross-platform SSH client with cloud sync and team features, available on iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android.
iSH	iOS app providing a Linux shell environment locally rather than remote SSH connections to external servers.

Reputation

Blink Shell is widely regarded as the leading professional terminal emulator for iOS, praised for its Mosh support, stable connections, and desktop-grade functionality. Developers appreciate its local Unix utilities, SSH configuration options, and integration with iOS features. Some users note it is less polished than competing clients like Prompt, and its iOS-only availability limits its use for cross-platform workflows. The active open-source development and regular updates contribute to its strong reputation in the mobile development community.

Sources (9)