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Comparison

Macky vs SSH

SSH is the universal standard for remote terminal access. Macky takes a different approach — using WebRTC for direct, zero-config connections from your iPhone to your Mac. Here's how they compare.

Macky
SSH
Protocol
WebRTC (DTLS-SRTP)
SSH (TCP)
Setup
Install two apps, sign in
Enable Remote Login, configure keys, port forward, set static IP or DDNS
NAT Traversal
Automatic (ICE/STUN/TURN)
Requires port forwarding on router
Firewall
Works through firewalls automatically
Must open port 22 (or custom)
Encryption
E2E encrypted + master password
SSH encryption (host key + auth key)
Key Management
None required
Generate, distribute, rotate SSH keys
Scope
Mac to iPhone only
Universal — any OS to any SSH server
Pricing
Free / $29 lifetime
Free (built into macOS)

The SSH Setup Problem

To SSH into your Mac from your iPhone, you need to:

  1. Enable Remote Login in System Preferences
  2. Generate an SSH key pair on your iPhone
  3. Copy the public key to your Mac's authorized_keys
  4. Configure port forwarding on your router (port 22)
  5. Set up a static IP or dynamic DNS service
  6. Configure your firewall to allow incoming SSH
  7. Install an SSH client on your iPhone

And if your ISP uses Carrier-Grade NAT, or you're on a corporate network, or your IP changes — it breaks. You're back to troubleshooting.

With Macky, you install the Mac app, install the iPhone app, sign in, and connect. WebRTC handles NAT traversal, firewall traversal, and encryption automatically. No ports to open, no keys to manage, no DNS to configure.

When SSH Is the Right Choice

SSH is universal. It works on every OS, connects to any server, and is the backbone of infrastructure management. If you need to connect to Linux servers, cloud VMs, network equipment, or any non-Mac device — SSH is the standard.

Macky is for one specific, common scenario: you have a Mac, you have an iPhone, and you want terminal access between them with zero friction.

Try Macky

Skip the SSH setup. Connect in seconds.

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