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Termux earned its reputation as a Linux environment in your pocket, but for the most common job — connecting to a remote server over SSH — it asks a lot. You type ssh commands by hand, manage keys from the shell, and there's no list of saved hosts to tap. And since Termux stopped being updated on Google Play (Android's newer background restrictions broke it there), most people now sideload it from F-Droid, which is more friction than it sounds.
ShellPilot takes the opposite approach: a real SSH client with a UI built for the job. Add each server once — host, port, username, password or private key — and it lives in a list you tap to connect. No retyping connection strings, no remembering which key goes with which box. Staging, production, and your Raspberry Pi sit side by side, one tap away.
Under that UI is a genuine terminal, not a toy. Full PTY emulation means htop, vim, tmux, and nano render correctly with ANSI colors; Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Z, Tab completion, and arrow keys all work; and a scrollback buffer keeps output you'd otherwise lose. It's the terminal you expect, with the friction removed.
You also get the things a pure shell makes painful. A built-in SFTP browser lets you upload, download, and edit remote files by tapping through folders instead of memorizing scp syntax. A server health dashboard shows CPU, memory, disk, and Docker containers at a glance. Fifty-plus ready-made command snippets cover Docker, Nginx, and Pi tasks. And it installs from Google Play with automatic updates — no F-Droid, no sideloading, no APK warnings.
If you live in the command line and want a full Linux userland on-device, Termux is still great at that. But if what you actually do is SSH into servers from your phone, ShellPilot is the faster, friendlier way to do it.
What you get
How to switch from Termux to ShellPilot
- 1
Install ShellPilot
Download ShellPilot free from Google Play — no F-Droid or APK sideloading required.
- 2
Add your servers
Tap New Connection and enter each host, port, and username — they're saved as a tappable list.
- 3
Bring your keys
Import your existing SSH private keys, or use password auth — both are supported.
- 4
Connect in one tap
Tap a saved host to open a full terminal session instantly — no commands to type first.
Who uses ShellPilot
You only use Termux for SSH
Skip the manual ssh commands. Save each server once and connect with a tap, with keys managed in the UI.
You're tired of sideloading from F-Droid
ShellPilot installs from Google Play with automatic updates — no APK warnings, no manual upgrades.
You want files, not just a shell
Browse and transfer remote files in a real SFTP UI instead of typing scp commands by hand.
Frequently asked questions
Why look for a Termux alternative?
Termux is a full command line with no saved-connection UI, and it's no longer updated on Google Play, so most users sideload it from F-Droid. ShellPilot offers a real SSH client with saved hosts, SFTP, and one-tap Play Store install.
Is ShellPilot a real terminal like Termux?
For remote work, yes — it's a full SSH2 client with PTY terminal emulation, so htop, vim, and tmux all work. Termux additionally provides a local Linux userland on-device; ShellPilot focuses on connecting to servers.
Can I import my existing SSH keys?
Yes. Import your private keys and authenticate by key, or use a password — whichever you already use.
Do I need to sideload it?
No. ShellPilot installs directly from Google Play with automatic updates — no F-Droid or APK files needed.
Is it free?
ShellPilot is free to download and use, with ads and an optional one-time Pro upgrade — no subscription.
Ready to try ShellPilot?
Free to download. No subscription required to get started.
Download Free on Google Play