Top 5 Server & Admin Apps for Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry

admin | March 13, 2012 | 0 Comments

Whether you’re an IT professional, a webmaster, or a server administrator, being able to manage your server and admin tasks on the go is essential. Below, we’ll take a look at the top five server and admin apps for your Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry mobile devices.

ANDROID

#1: ConnectBot

As a Secure Shell client for the Android platform, ConnectBot creates a secure connection through which you can use a shell on a remote machine to transfer files back and forth to your phone. ConnectBot allows you to manage multiple SSH sessions, copy and paste between other applications, and create secure tunnels.

What People Are Saying:

According to award-winning Linux.com writer Jack Wallen, this is definitely a must-have app, and he recommends it for any Linux admin using an Android phone. He does point out one drawback, though, in that there is no <Ctrl> key on your Android keyboard, which is a problem if you need to stop a command. Many Android phones do have an alternate <Ctrl> key option though (for example, on the HTC Hero a single push of the trackball is the equivalent to the <Ctrl> key). As far as Android apps go, this is definitely a winner!

Quick Stats:

Rating: 5/5 Stars (24,222 ratings)
By: Kenny Root and Jeffrey Sharkey
Updated: Oct. 8, 2010
Current Version: 1.7.1
Requires Android: 1.5 and up
Size: 707k
Price: Free

#2: AndFTP

AndFTP acts as an FTP, FTPS, SCP, and SFTP client. AndFTP allows you to manage multiple FTP configurations, and also provides upload, download, synchronization, and share features. You can use AndFTP to open, rename, delete, or update permissions (chmod), as well as to run custom commands.

What People Are Saying:

Skim through a few consumer reviews for AndFTP and you’ll quickly discover that the clean and simple user interface of this app makes it a real favorite among users. One feature of note is the large “finger-friendly” buttons AndFTP displays at the top of your screen, which makes browsing and uploading quick and easy. Users also enjoy the ability to easily add and rename folders and quickly change file and folder permissions.

Quick Stats:

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (11,152 ratings)
By: Lysesoft
Updated: Jan. 15, 2012
Current Version: 2.9.8
Requires Android: 1.0 and up
Size: 894k
Price: Free

#3: PocketCloud Remote RDP/VNC

PocketCloud allows you to get remote desktop access to Windows and Mac OS from your Android device. Developed by Wyse Technology, PocketCloud provides business-class remote desktop access that is secure, reliable, and fast whether you’re using a WiFi connection or a 3G/4G network.

What People Are Saying:

Overall, consumers appear to be pleased with this app, although one drawback to take note of is the fact that this app only allows you to navigate a remote machine (you can’t transfer files). However, if you’re just looking for a simple remote access app for your Android phone that’s easy to install and set up, then PocketCloud should definitely make your list.

Quick Stats:

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (15,693 ratings)
By: Wyse
Updated: Feb. 7, 2012
Current Version: 1.2.182
Requires Android: 2.1 and up
Size: 4.4M
Price: Free

#4: QuickSSHd

QuickSSHd allows you to quickly and easily configure and run a Secure Shell/SSH server from your Android-powered smart phone and transfer files easily using your SD card, SCP, or SFTP. Besides standard SSH shared public key authentication, QuickSSHd also allows you to use a password that is stored (encrypted) on your phone.

What People Are Saying:

QuickSSHd has been received well in general, although there are reports that it’s not a great app for ADB shell access, as it doesn’t handle the cursor sequences properly and thus you can’t use the cursor, home, and end keys. We’ve also heard that the app isn’t as intuitive as it could be, causing some users to recommend this app only for those who are more technically-savvy.

Quick Stats:

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (397 ratings)
By: TeslaCoil Software
Updated: Aug. 12, 2010
Current Version: 2.0.3
Requires Android: 1.5 and up
Size: 655k
Price: $1.49

#5: Remote Web Desktop

Remote Web Desktop is an all-in-one web desktop for Android, allowing you to use your phone’s functionality on your computer’s web browser with any WiFi/4G/3G/USB connection. Features include a file explorer, FTP server, APK web installer, terminal emulator, and more.

What People Are Saying:

Remote Web Desktop seems to be getting mixed reviews. On the one hand, users love the fact that it works on a 3G connection as well as Wi-Fi (many similar apps only work on Wi-Fi). Plus, you don’t have to install a separate app on your desktop, which means the app is cross-platform compatible and you can use it on any machine with a browser. On the other hand, there are a few reports that the features don’t all work exactly as advertised. Besides that, you need to have a rooted phone in order to use a lot of the app’s features, so if your Android phone isn’t rooted this app may not be worth it for you.

Quick Stats:

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (3,700 ratings)
By: SmartDog Studio
Updated: Feb. 29, 2012
Current Version: 5.7.9
Requires Android: 1.5 and up
Size: 2.4M
Price: Free

iPHONE

#1: ServerMonitor

ServerMonitor uses SSH protocol to connect to remote machines to aid with your server and workstation monitoring needs. Multi-protocol support includes ping, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, SMTP, DNS, POP3, IMAP, and MySQL.

What People Are Saying:

There aren’t too many reviews out there yet for this app, but overall reception seems to be positive. One feature that users would like to see added next time the app is updated is the ability to view a list of running processes and how much memory they take up.

Quick Stats:

Rating: 4/4 Stars (12 ratings)
By: Kestutis Rutkauskas
Updated: Feb. 20, 2012
Current Version: 1.3
Requires: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad with iOS 4.0 or later
Size: 1.8 MB
Price: $0.99

#2: Network Utility

Network Utility allows you to check your website or server status from anywhere using your iPhone or other Apple device. Features include ping (ICMP Echo), TCP/IP Port Scan, GeoIP Lookup, Whois Query, IP address information, and more.

What People Are Saying:

This is another app that seems to be getting mixed reviews. While some praise it as being very easy to use, others complain that the app causes their iPhone to freeze up, which can be fixed by restarting the device. Users also grumble about the lack of subnet scans. The verdict is still out on this app. The best thing you can do is try it yourself and see how it holds up.

Quick Stats:

Rating: 3.5/4 Stars (371 ratings)
By: Codepacity, LLC
Updated: Mar. 27, 2009
Current Version: 2.1
Requires: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad with iOS 2.2.1 or later
Size: 0.1 MB
Price: Free

#3: iSSH – SSH / VNC Console

iSSH – SSH / VNC Console is a full-featured SSH and Telnet emulator of VT100, VT102, VT220, ANSI, and xterm terminals integrated with a tunneled VNC client, RDP client and an X server. This handy app can also support simultaneous connections with complete terminal compatibility, configurable macro and key options, and an intuitive user interface.

What People Are Saying:

One thing that many users love about this app is that it gives you the ability to customize your screen as far as color, font, and font size. This gives you the clean, crisp display you need when working with a command line interface on a mobile device. Users also praise the numerous configuration options, which allow you to set up this app exactly the way you want it. You can also keep your connections active in the background, which is a huge plus. The one drawback is that you can’t just make a quick one-time connection (you have to store every connection on your iPhone).

Quick Stats:

Rating: 4/4 Stars (71 ratings)
By: Zinger-Soft
Updated: Nov. 09, 2011
Current Version: 5.1.0
Requires: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad with iOS 3.2 or later
Size: 13.7 MB
Price: $9.99

#4: MySQL Mobile Database Client

The MySQL Mobile Database Client provides complete access to your MySQL servers, allowing you to browse, search, and update your MySQL databases from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. This app is compatible with MySQL versions 3, 4, and 5, and allows you to simultaneously manage an unlimited number of databases.

What People Are Saying:

According to many consumers, this is the stand-out MySQL app that the world has been waiting for. Consumers would still like to see a few features added though, such as password protection, the ability to add and delete databases, and visual tools for creating and editing fields and tables. For users well versed in MySQL, though, this appears to be a great app!

Quick Stats:

Rating: 4/4 Stars (18 ratings)
By: Impathic, LLC
Updated: Nov. 15, 2011
Current Version: 5.1
Requires: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad with iOS 4.2 or later
Size: 12.2 MB
Price: $9.99

#5: mFreeNAS 7

mFreeNAS 7 allows you to control your FreeNAS Server on the go. Supported features include Wake-On-LAN, shutdown, reboot, system info, HDDs info, integrated WebGUI, and more.

What People Are Saying:

There aren’t a ton of reviews out there for this app, but the general opinion about mFreeNAS7 seems to be positive. Users are pleased with the clean and simple user interface, although they would like to see a confirm action option when you choose to reboot or shut down.

Quick Stats:

Rating: Not enough ratings to display an average for the current version of this application.
By: Walter Bronzi
Updated: Sep. 28, 2011
Current Version: 1.2
Requires: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad with iOS 4.0 or later
Size: 1.8 MB
Price: $0.99

BLACKBERRY

#1: PaderSyncSSH

PaderSyncSSH allows you to access your SSH servers from your BlackBerry device. Using the integrated VT100 terminal emulator, you can connect multiple terminal windows, execute programs, and manage your remote system.

What People Are Saying:

Users seem to love this app, especially after trying out other (more disappointing) SSH apps, like MidpSSH. One drawback is that many people report that the app doesn’t work on the Playbook 2.0, so stick to using this app on your other BlackBerry devices instead. PaderSyncSSH also won’t let you bookmark SSH hosts, but it will remember the last host you used, which makes up for that a bit.

Quick Stats:

By: Pader-Sync Ltd. & Co
Released: Jan. 17, 2012
Current Version: 1.0.11.2
Requires: Smartphone: 4.2.1 or higher, Tablet: 2.0.0 or higher
Size: 873 KB
Price: $9.99

#2: RDM+: Remote Desktop for Mobiles

RDM+: Remote Desktop for Mobiles allows you to use your BlackBerry smart phone to access your Mac or Windows computer and run applications remotely. This is a popular remote access client because of the app’s unique ability to work through NAT and Firewall.

What People Are Saying:

Users love the fact that RDM+: Remote Desktop for Mobiles is easy to use and comes with a sleek UI, but there are complaints out there that the app can be pretty slow. We’ve also found a few reports that users have had trouble getting it to connect to machines running Windows Vista.

Quick Stats:

By: SHAPE
Released: Nov. 30, 2010
Current Version: 4.3.11
Requires: Smartphone: 4.2.0 or higher
Size: 458 KB
Price: $39.99

#3: BeFTP

BeFTP is an easy-to-use FTP client for BlackBerry devices, giving you the option to download files directly to your mobile device or to a media card. Other features include file browsing, folder creation, file deletion, and more.

What People Are Saying:

BeFTP users will tell you that this app offers excellent customer support, which is a good thing because you might need it. There are lots of reports of this app freezing, especially if you try to transfer large files. Users also complain that the app doesn’t always run properly in the background, and that the interface can be confusing. There is a free trial available though, so it’s still worth checking out.

Quick Stats:

By: BEIKS LLC
Released: Mar. 14, 2011
Current Version: 2.56.0
Requires: Smartphone: 4.2.0 or higher
Size: 66 KB
Price: $6.99

#4: Network Calculator

Network Calculator helps you calculate IPv4: subnet masks, the broadcast IP, and the IP network range. Information can be viewed in binary form allowing you to work it in bits, making this a helpful app for IT students and administrators.

What People Are Saying:

There aren’t many reviews out there for this app, but users seem to appreciate its ease of use and say it pretty much does what it says it will do. We’ll keep you posted if any more reviews surface!

Quick Stats:

By: Kaktus Servicios Integrales
Released: April 26, 2011
Current Version: 2.0.4
Requires: Smartphone: 5.0.0 or higher
Size: 61 KB
Price: $0.99

#5: Wake On LAN

With Wake On LAN, you can turn on a remote computer by sending a specific network message (also called a “magic packet”). Simply input the IP or MAC address and port of the remote computer and click the “Wake Up” button. Wake-On-LAN also allows you to choose your connection method (WiFi, BES, BIS, TCP, WAP, etc.). As with other WoL clients, your remote computer and network components need to support WoL functionality.

What People Are Saying:

The consensus on this one seems to be that Wake On LAN by Ice Cold Apps is great if you’re just looking for a basic WOL program. Some users say the app takes a while to turn on and off, but once it’s up and running it seems to get the job done.

Quick Stats: