Alternatives to iSH
A Linux shell for iPhone and iPad that runs Alpine Linux in a usermode x86 emulator. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
iSH
A Linux shell for iPhone and iPad that runs Alpine Linux in a usermode x86 emulator.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as iSH.
a-Shell
A local Unix-style terminal for iPhone and iPad with multiple windows and common command-line tools.
a-Shell runs Unix tools and Python natively on iPhone and iPad with Shortcuts integration, avoiding x86 emulation but without an Alpine Linux package system.
Blink Shell
An SSH and Mosh terminal for iPhone and iPad with local Unix tools and SFTP support.
Blink Shell centres on SSH and Mosh to remote servers with local Unix tools and SFTP, and requires an annual subscription after the trial.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Termux
An Android terminal emulator and Linux environment that installs packages with APT, without root.
Prompt
Panic's native terminal and SSH client for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro, with Mosh support.
Secure ShellFish
An SSH terminal and SFTP file access app for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
OpenSSH
The standard SSH client and server suite for encrypted remote login, file copying and tunnelling.
Mosh
A remote shell that replaces interactive SSH and survives roaming, sleep and dropped connections.
