Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

UserLAnd VS iSH

Compare UserLAnd VS iSH and see what are their differences

UserLAnd logo UserLAnd

Easiest way to run GNU/Linux Distros on Android - no root required

iSH logo iSH

The Linux shell on iOS.
  • UserLAnd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-19
  • iSH Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-05

UserLAnd features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    UserLAnd allows users to run full Linux distributions on Android devices through a simple installation process without rooting the device, making it accessible to a wider audience.
  • Versatility
    It supports various Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, and Alpine, providing flexibility for users to choose their preferred environment.
  • Open Source
    The app is open source, allowing developers to contribute to its improvement, ensuring transparency and fostering community collaboration.
  • No Root Required
    UserLAnd operates without requiring root access, ensuring device security and maintaining manufacturer warranties.

Possible disadvantages of UserLAnd

  • Performance Limitations
    Running Linux distributions on an Android device may not offer the same performance as native systems due to resource constraints of mobile devices.
  • Limited Hardware Integration
    Due to the abstraction layer provided by Android, UserLAnd may not fully leverage the hardware capabilities of the host device.
  • Complexity in Advanced Use
    While basic setup is simple, advanced configurations can become complex, requiring more technical knowledge from the user.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Initial installation and some operations may require a steady internet connection, which might be a limitation in offline scenarios.

iSH features and specs

  • Compatibility
    iSH allows users to run a Linux shell environment on iOS devices, offering compatibility across platforms and enabling the execution of a variety of Linux-based applications.
  • User-friendly
    The app provides an intuitive interface that makes it easy for both beginners and experienced users to navigate and use Linux tools on their iOS devices.
  • Offline Access
    iSH can be used without an internet connection, allowing users to run scripts and perform tasks without needing to be online.
  • Portability
    By allowing Linux to run on an iOS device, iSH adds significant portability for developers and sysadmins who need shell access on-the-go.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source application, iSH encourages community collaboration and transparency, allowing users to contribute or modify the code.

Possible disadvantages of iSH

  • Performance Limitations
    Due to running within a virtualization layer, performance may not match a native Linux environment. Resource-intensive tasks may not performant smoothly.
  • Limited System Calls
    Some system calls are not supported or behave differently in iSH, which could pose a limitation for certain applications or scripts requiring those features.
  • App Store Limitations
    Being subject to Apple's App Store policies could potentially restrict the features or updates available through iSH compared to a regular Linux environment.
  • No Full Desktop Environment
    iSH provides a shell-only environment, meaning users looking for a full desktop experience will not find it in this application.
  • Battery Usage
    Running a Linux shell with iSH can be resource-intensive on mobile devices, leading to increased battery drain compared to regular app usage.

UserLAnd videos

Debian MATE running on DeX using UserLand | Samsung DeX Videos

iSH videos

In-depth-ish review of the RS3M 2020 (NEW MAIN!?!?)

More videos:

  • Review - Mistborn - A Spoiler Free -ish Review! The Final Empire
  • Review - Black-ish AF: Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to UserLAnd and iSH)
Terminal Tools
41 41%
59% 59
SSH
42 42%
58% 58
Server Management
52 52%
48% 48
Cloud Computing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare UserLAnd and iSH

UserLAnd Reviews

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iSH Reviews

10 Termux Alternatives
ISH is an app that provides a Linux environment on your IOS device with a keyboard addition that helps you take complete control over your navigation system. It is an explorable project that can control it from remote devices by using some of its simple settings of API endpoints. You can quickly move your files around and edit them according to your specific needs and can...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, iSH should be more popular than UserLAnd. It has been mentiond 48 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

UserLAnd mentions (11)

  • Lindroid
    How does it compare to Termux / UserLAnd? See https://termux.dev and https://userland.tech For my purposes Lindroid seems less powerful as it requires root and AOSP patches. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Apple Introduces M4 Chip
    I get frustrated seeing this go into the iPad and knowing that we can't get a shell, and run our own binaries there. Not even as a VM like [UserLAnd](https://userland.tech). I could effectively travel with one device less in my backpack but instead I have to carry two M chips, two displays, batteries, and so on... It's great to see this tech moving forward but it's frustrating to not see it translate into a more... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Do you think that it's real? I don't trust it just even by the fact it costs 2€...
    It's basically a Linux virtual machine on Android, running Linux applications - see https://userland.tech/ and https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=8617260147938950881. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Blog is hosted on my Android phone
    > I only wish Android phones would be more open to put a full Linux distro on them. You can: https://userland.tech/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • chromium driver not working on proot-distro (need snap ?!)
    Awesome, feel free to ask any other questions, I love discussing about anything Linux-relevant. I'll add and mention that UserLAnd might be useful for you. Link: https://userland.tech. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

iSH mentions (48)

  • Show HN: Lume – OS Lightweight CLI/API for macOS/Linux VMs on Apple Silicon
    You can, with ish (https://ish.app). It is a bit slow though and doesn't support the newest releases. (Well and by default it runs Alpine instead of Debian). - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Poll: When will we see full Linux distros as official iPhone apps?
    I'm a happy daily iSH [1] user, it's an amazing technical project, but I really pine for the day when `apt get blah` will be a reality, using an app available from the official App Store. Be it a paid or free app. CLI only, or with graphics. For concreteness, let's say a Debian-based distro in your iPhone upon tapping Get on Apple's App Store, independently of your location. It is pretty sad that, if... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Apple downgrades new M2 iPad Air, 9-core GPU instead of 10-core
    > in software side of Ipad IOS, that is the biggest innovation in years That would be iSH, slow but functional Alpine Linux emulation for iOS. https://ish.app. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says
    > Just imagine how much more versatile the iPad Pro would be if only you could run Linux VMs on it After installing https://ish.app for Alpine Linux emulation on iPad, one immediately comes up with use cases, even though it's excruciatingly slow. Hopefully Apple opens up the imminent M3 iPad Pros to run macOS and Linux VMs. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • How to copy a file between devices?
    Android: install termux, `pkg install openssh`, and preferably run `termux-setup-storage` to give it access to storage folders. iOS: I think https://ish.app/ ? - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing UserLAnd and iSH, you can also consider the following products

Termux - Terminal emulator and Linux environment for Android

Linux Deploy - This application is open source software for quick and easy installation of the operating system...

Blink Shell - Super-fast and highly configurable, professional-grade terminal for iOS.

AnLinux - Run Linux On Android Without Root Access.

Android Terminal Emulator - Android-Terminal-Emulator - A VT-100 terminal emulator for the Android OS

ConnectBot - ConnectBot is a Secure Shell client for the Android platform.