Blink Shell Alternatives in 2026: What to Use After the Subscription Switch
If you bought Blink Shell and lost access, here are your best options for iOS terminal apps
TL;DR: Blink's move to subscriptions frustrated many users who paid $20 for a one-time license. For AI coding workflows, Moshi offers mosh support with push notifications. For general SSH, Termius free tier works. For local terminal, a-Shell is free.
The iOS terminal app market had a clear winner for years: Blink Shell. Developers loved its native mosh support, clean interface, and one-time purchase model. Then came the subscription switch—and the community backlash.
If you're one of the users who paid for Blink and now faces a subscription paywall, this guide covers your options.
What Happened with Blink Shell
Blink Shell launched as a one-time purchase around $20. It built a loyal following among developers who appreciated:
- Native mosh protocol support
- SSH config import that just worked
- Zero bloat, true full screen experience
- Excellent vim/neovim workflow support
Then Blink transitioned to a subscription model. Existing users who paid for the "full version" found themselves locked out or forced into a trial.
The App Store reviews tell the story. Blink's rating dropped to 3.09 stars, with recent reviews filled with words like "scam," "fraud," and "bait and switch."
Why Users Are Angry (In Their Own Words)
These are real App Store reviews from users actively seeking alternatives:
The Core Complaint
"I hate that this app is good." (⭐⭐)
"I have been on a months-long quest to find an acceptable terminal app that I can actually own instead of rent. Unfortunately, every other option I tried (Termius was second-best) has dealbreaking flaws of one kind or another... The business model disgusts me. The instant I hear of an acceptable mobile terminal with an ethical business model, I will switch."
Users Who Feel Scammed
"Quite literally a scam" (⭐)
"In no uncertain terms I need the reader of this review to understand this company straight up scammed its users. We paid for a lifetime subscription, and now we can't use the app unless we pay for a trial. DO NOT USE THIS APP. IF THEY DID IT ONCE THEY WILL DO IT AGAIN."
"Fraud - AVOID" (⭐)
"Blink is a fraud committed by a dishonest developer. Paid for one-time license that simply vanished."
"$20 Gone" (⭐)
"I hadn't used this thing in ages but I wanted to sync my iPad... Behold, I get greeted with a subscription screen and now I see an avg rating of 3.1. Didn't take much guesswork that the dev had jumped the shark."
The Pricing Model Problem
"Terrible pricing system" (⭐)
"The point isn't that its cheap you deaf tone dev, the point is that I don't feel like I actually own the software because if it is a bit over a dollar a month, I still am just leasing the software for a basic terminal. Let me buy it so then you can make improvements and then let me buy blink 2 or 3 or 4. Not an SaaS for a flipping terminal."
"Bait and Switch" (⭐)
"I purchased this app for $20 a few years ago and now it's a subscription. They discontinued the old app and released a replacement with the new licensing. Absolutely unacceptable. AT NO POINT SHOULD AN SSH TERMINAL HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION LICENSE"
What Blink Did Right (Why People Loved It)
Before dismissing Blink entirely, it's worth understanding why it had such a devoted following:
Native mosh Support
Blink implemented the mosh protocol natively, providing:
- Instant reconnection after network changes
- Local echo for responsive typing
- Survival across WiFi to cellular transitions
For developers SSHing into servers from phones, this was transformative. Standard SSH connections freeze constantly on mobile networks.
Developer-Focused Design
"Best shell for pros" (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
"Initially, I didn't expect I can just import .ssh/config and it works out of the box. This is the killing feature driving me to switch from Termius. Then I discovered more useful features, like local vim editor and port forwarding. It runs flawlessly with Tailscale."
"Best terminal app out there" (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
"Only app with 0 bloat, and true full screen"
Vim/Neovim Excellence
"Best app for Vim & Tmux over SSH" (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
"I tested 5 terminal emulators, and none of them came close. I was able to fully replicate all of my Karabiner keybindings from my macbook (cmd->control, capslock->escape), which I use for remote Vim and Tmux development."
The app genuinely was best-in-class for serious terminal work. That's what makes the subscription switch so frustrating—there's no disagreement about the product quality, only the business model.
The Alternatives Compared
| App | Price | mosh Support | Best For | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moshi | Free beta | Yes (native) | AI agent workflows | New, beta |
| Termius | Free / $10/mo premium | No | General SSH, teams | No mosh |
| Prompt 3 | $25/year | No | Occasional SSH | No mosh, no Tailscale |
| a-Shell | Free | No | Local terminal | No remote SSH |
Moshi: Built for the AI Agent Era
Moshi takes a different approach—it's built specifically for developers running AI coding agents like Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, and Cursor.
What Makes It Different
Native mosh Protocol
Like Blink, Moshi implements mosh directly. Your connection survives network switches, phone sleep, and spotty cellular.
Push Notifications for Agent Events
This is Moshi's unique feature. When your AI agent needs approval or finishes a task, you get a push notification on your iPhone and Apple Watch. No more polling your terminal.
Add this to your project's CLAUDE.md:
When you complete a task or need input, notify me:
curl -s -X POST https://api.getmoshi.app/api/webhook \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"token": "YOUR_TOKEN", "title": "Status", "message": "Brief summary"}'
On-Device Voice Input
Moshi runs OpenAI's Whisper model locally. When Claude asks "Should I run the migration?", hold the mic button and speak. Zero latency, works offline, handles technical terms.
Mobile-Optimized Keyboard
Dedicated Ctrl, Esc, Tab, and arrow keys. Tmux prefix shortcuts. The keys you actually need for terminal work.
When to Choose Moshi
- You're running AI coding agents (Claude Code, Copilot, Cursor)
- You need push notifications when tasks complete
- You want mosh without Blink's subscription
- Voice input would speed up your workflow
Termius: The Polished SSH Client
Termius is probably what Blink users tried next. It's polished, cross-platform, and has a functional free tier.
Strengths
- Free tier that works: Basic SSH is free
- Cross-platform sync: Same config on iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux
- Team features: Shared hosts and credentials
- Modern interface: Clean, intuitive design
- SFTP built-in: Browse and transfer files
The mosh Problem
Termius doesn't support mosh. For desk-based SSH work, this is fine. For mobile, it's a significant limitation.
One Blink user summed it up:
"I have been on a months-long quest to find an acceptable terminal app... Termius was second-best but has dealbreaking flaws"
What are those flaws? On mobile networks:
- Connections freeze when switching WiFi to cellular
- Sessions die when your phone sleeps
- Reconnection is slow and loses scrollback
When to Choose Termius
- You're usually on stable WiFi
- You need team credential sharing
- Cross-platform sync is essential
- You can tolerate reconnection friction
Prompt 3: The Legacy Option
Prompt 3 from Panic is a long-standing iOS SSH client with Panic's trademark design polish.
Strengths
- Reliable SSH: Battle-tested implementation
- Clips: Save and run command snippets
- Clean design: Panic's trademark attention to detail
- Trusted developer: Panic has been around for decades
Limitations
- SSH only: Same network issues as Termius
- No Tailscale integration: Manual VPN configuration
- Annual subscription: $25/year after one-time purchase history
- No voice input: Relies on iOS dictation
Interestingly, some angry Blink users recommend Prompt:
"Theft by developer" (⭐)
"Go pay for Prompt 3 instead, at least I can still use Prompt 2."
When to Choose Prompt
- You want a trusted, established developer
- Occasional SSH access on stable networks
- Clean iOS-native design matters to you
a-Shell: Free Local Terminal
a-Shell is a completely different tool—it's a local terminal running on your iPhone/iPad, not an SSH client.
What It Does
- Runs a local Unix environment on iOS
- Includes Python, Lua, JavaScript, C
- File system access to iCloud and local files
- Free and open source
What It Doesn't Do
- No SSH connections
- No remote server access
- No mosh support
Some Blink users mention it as an alternative:
"Scummy bait and switch" (⭐)
"If you are thinking about this, avoid and install a-shell mini"
That's somewhat misleading—a-Shell doesn't replace Blink for remote development. But if you just need a local terminal for scripting on-device, it works.
When to Choose a-Shell
- You want local terminal, not remote SSH
- You're learning Python/scripting on iPad
- Free is a hard requirement
If You're a Vim/Neovim User
Vim users have specific terminal requirements:
- Proper Escape key: Not a toolbar button, a real key
- Alt/Meta support: For vim keybindings
- No input lag: Local echo matters
- Session persistence: tmux integration
Recommendations
Best for Vim remote work: Moshi or Blink (if you'll pay the subscription)
Both have native mosh with local echo, proper modifier keys, and tmux integration.
Acceptable: Termius
Works but expect reconnection issues when mobile. The free tier doesn't support key remapping.
Not recommended: Prompt 3, a-Shell
Prompt's SSH-only means connection issues. a-Shell doesn't do remote connections.
If You Use AI Coding Agents
This is where the alternatives diverge most sharply.
AI coding agents like Claude Code run long tasks autonomously. They need input periodically—permission to run commands, architectural decisions, clarification on requirements.
The problem: How do you know when Claude needs you?
With Blink, Termius, or Prompt—you don't, unless you're watching the terminal. No push notifications.
With Moshi: Configure a webhook, get notified on your phone and watch when tasks complete or need input. Tap to open directly into your session.
For AI agent workflows specifically, Moshi is the only iOS terminal designed for this use case. See our complete guide to running Claude Code from iPhone for the full setup.
Our Take
Blink's technical execution was excellent. The subscription decision wasn't.
For developers who feel burned:
- For AI agent workflows: Moshi — free beta, native mosh, push notifications
- For general SSH: Termius free tier — polished, cross-platform, no mosh
- For local terminal: a-Shell — free, open source, no remote
The iOS terminal market needed competition. Blink's misstep created an opening for alternatives that better respect their users.
Getting Started
Whichever terminal you choose, the server setup is similar:
Install mosh on Your Server (for Moshi)
# macOS
brew install mosh
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install mosh
# Allow through firewall (UDP 60000-61000)
sudo ufw allow 60000:61000/udp
Set Up tmux for Session Persistence
# Install tmux
brew install tmux # or apt install tmux
# Create a persistent session
tmux new -s dev
# Detach: Ctrl+A, d (or Ctrl+B, d)
# Reattach: tmux attach -t dev
Network Access with Tailscale
For reliable access from anywhere:
# Install Tailscale
brew install tailscale # or download from tailscale.com
# Enable SSH
sudo tailscale up --ssh
# On iPhone: Install Tailscale app, join your tailnet
FAQ
Is Blink Shell still worth it?
If you're willing to pay the subscription and value mosh support, the app itself is still good. The controversy is about the business model, not the technology.
Can I get a refund for Blink?
Some users report success requesting refunds through Apple within the refund window. For older purchases, it's unlikely.
Does Termius support mosh?
No. Termius is SSH-only. For mobile connections, this means more disconnections.
Is Moshi open source like Blink was?
No, but it has a free tier during beta with no arbitrary restrictions.
What about using iPad instead of iPhone?
All recommendations apply to iPad. The larger screen makes extended sessions more comfortable. Moshi, Termius, and Prompt all support iPad.
Conclusion
Blink Shell's subscription switch disappointed many developers who paid for a one-time license. The good news: alternatives exist.
For serious remote development with AI coding agents, Moshi offers what Blink did—native mosh—plus what it never had: push notifications and voice input.
For casual SSH access, Termius free tier is sufficient.
For local terminal work, a-Shell is free and capable.
The terminal app you choose matters less than having a workflow that works. Pick one, set up mosh and tmux, and get back to building.
Related Articles
- Fix SSH Connection Errors — troubleshoot Permission Denied, Connection Refused, and Mosh issues
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- Mastering Moshi's Terminal Keyboard — shortcuts, modifiers, and voice input
- Best iOS Terminal App for AI Coding Agents in 2026
- How to Use Claude Code on iPhone: The Best Remote Coding Setup
- Using Your Mac as a Remote Endless Working Agent