PuTTY Alternatives for Mac

PuTTY is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The best Mac alternative is OpenSSH, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to PuTTY and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to PuTTY are Tabby, Termius, PowerShell and ZOC.

filter to find the best alternatives

PuTTY alternatives are mainly Terminal Emulators, but if you're looking for SSH Clients or Shells you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Android and Google Chrome. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to PuTTY.
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Alternatives list

  1. OpenSSH icon

    OpenSSH

     384 likes
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    OpenSSH is a free version of the SSH connectivity tools that technical users rely on. OpenSSH encrypts all traffic (including passwords) to effectively eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks.

    60 OpenSSH alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
    • Haiku
     
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    10
    75
    Comments about OpenSSH as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Top Positive Comment
    Brioni1988
    10

    Up to date. One of the most trustworthy dev teams on the intenet.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    17

    There is no gui for connection management.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ntrain5555
    Negative
    0

    It's not terminal emulator, it's a utility to ssh'd to other mechine.

    Show more comments
    3 of 10 comments
    PuTTY Icon
    OpenSSH icon

    • Most users think OpenSSH is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • OpenSSH is the most popular Mac, iPhone & Linux alternative to PuTTY.

    • OpenSSH is Free and Open SourcePuTTY is also Free and Open Source
  2. Tabby icon

    Tabby

     117 likes
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    Tabby is an infinitely customizable cross-platform terminal app for local shells, serial, SSH and Telnet connections.

    106 Tabby alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Tabby screenshot 1
     
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    1
    9
    Comments about Tabby as an Alternative to PuTTY
    takavar
    Positive
    0

    I think Tabby is overall easier and more smoother to work with. Specially since you get tabs, themes etc. If you just want to ssh into this than that I don't know why you wouldn't switch to tabby.

    PuTTY Icon
    Tabby icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Tabby is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • Tabby is Free and Open SourcePuTTY is also Free and Open Source
    • Tabby is CustomizablePuTTY is not according to our users
  4. Termius icon

    Termius

     36 likes
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    Termius is more than a mere SSH client – it’s a complete command-line solution that’s redefining remote access for sysadmins and network engineers. Securely access Linux or IoT devices and quickly fix issues from the comfort of your couch via laptop or phone.

    57 Termius alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    Termius screenshot 1
     
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    1
    25
    Comments about Termius as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Can be used on Linux, has a cleaner Interface compared to PuTTY & it's free for students.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    PuTTY Icon
    Termius icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Termius is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • Termius is the most popular iPad alternative to PuTTY.

    • Termius is Freemium and ProprietaryPuTTY is Free and Open Source
    • Termius is Security-focusedPuTTY is not according to our users
  5. PowerShell icon

    PowerShell

     200 likes
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    PowerShell (including Windows PowerShell and PowerShell Core) is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on the .NET Framework.

    68 PowerShell alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    PowerShell screenshot 1
     
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    5
    6
    Comments about PowerShell as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    3

    Since recently Microsoft has integrates OpenSSH in Windows 10 natively, so PowerShell (and Windows terminal) may now connect to SSH hosts from the command line, as you would do from LINUX or OS/X. PuTTY however has many more functions.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    11

    PuTTY is for remote terminal access, via SSH, Telnet, serial, etc.. Powershell is a shell for scripting not SSH or Telent access.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It's not a remote terminal access tool, it's a scripting language

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 5 comments
    PuTTY Icon
    PowerShell icon

    • This alternative is disputed. PowerShell is a legitimate PuTTY alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • PowerShell is Free and Open SourcePuTTY is also Free and Open Source
  6. ZOC icon

    ZOC

     70 likes
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    ZOC is a powerful and well-established terminal emulator and telnet client, well known for its outstanding user interface with tabbed multi session support.

    72 ZOC alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ZOC screenshot 1
     
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    8
    29
    Comments about ZOC as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Top Positive Comment
    hansolo1988
    3

    Just let me say one thing: Try managing 200 hosts for 10+ clients in the host directory of Putty and ZOC.

    Foworax J. Smith
    Positive
    0

    Much nicer user interface.

    grercl
    Positive
    0

    tabs, ease of use, very easy to customize

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 8 comments
    PuTTY Icon
    ZOC icon

    • Almost everyone thinks ZOC is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • ZOC is the most popular commercial alternative to PuTTY.

    • ZOC is Paid and ProprietaryPuTTY is Free and Open Source
  9. SecureCRT icon

    SecureCRT

     34 likes
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    SecureCRT combines rock-solid terminal emulation with the strong encryption, data integrity, and authentication options of the Secure Shell protocol. SecureCRT provides secure remote access, file transfer, and data tunneling for everyone in your organization.

    60 SecureCRT alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    6
    Comments about SecureCRT as an Alternative to PuTTY
    artcrime
    Positive
    0

    Simply the best telnet/ssh client on the market. Excellent support too!

    PuTTY Icon
    SecureCRT icon

    • Most users think SecureCRT is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • SecureCRT is Paid and ProprietaryPuTTY is Free and Open Source
  10. Termora icon

    Termora

     8 likes
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    Termora is developed using Kotlin/JVM and partially implements the XTerm protocol (with ongoing improvements). Its ultimate vision is to achieve full platform support (including Android, iOS, and iPadOS) through Kotlin Multiplatform.

    58 Termora alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Homebrew
    Termora screenshot 1
     
  11. Terminal icon

    Terminal

     85 likes
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    Terminal (also referred to as Terminal.app) is a terminal emulator included in Apple's Mac OS X operating system. It originated in Mac OS X's predecessors, NEXTSTEP and OPENSTEP, and allows the user to interact with the computer through a command line interface.

    100 Terminal alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Terminal screenshot 1
     
  12. Royal TSX icon

    Royal TSX

     41 likes
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    Royal TS provides easy and secure access to your remote systems

    Unlock the power to remotely manage your systems on multiple platforms!

    Royal TS is the perfect tool for server admins, system engineers, developers and IT focused information workers who constantly need to access.

    132 Royal TSX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    RDP Connections
     
  13. Chrome Secure Shell icon

    Chrome Secure Shell

     26 likes
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    Secure Shell is an xterm-compatible terminal emulator and stand-alone ssh client for Chrome. It uses Native-Client to connect directly to ssh servers without the need for external proxies.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • Google Chrome
    Chrome Secure Shell screenshot 1
     
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    1
    7
    Comments about Chrome Secure Shell as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    written by google developers when they took down the ssh command from crosh

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    PuTTY Icon
    Chrome Secure Shell icon

    • Some users think Chrome Secure Shell is a great PuTTY alternative, some don't.

    • Chrome Secure Shell is Free and ProprietaryPuTTY is Free and Open Source
  14. PortX icon

    PortX

     3 likes
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    PortX is a lightweight cross-platform (Windows/Mac/Linux) SSH Client, as well as local shell/terminal emulator. Beautiful tabbed UI for managing multiple sessions. Google Drive syncing session files across devices and OSes is a very handy tool.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    PortX screenshot 1
     
12 of 39 PuTTY alternatives