OpenSSH Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to OpenSSH for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is PuTTY, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to OpenSSH and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to OpenSSH are WindTerm, SecureCRT, Mosh and Eternal Terminal.

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Alternatives
OpenSSH alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. PuTTY icon
     1466 likes

    Free and open-source terminal emulator for connecting to remote systems via SSH, Telnet, and SCP. Portable with no installation required, providing lightweight functionality. Ideal for secure connections with features like command line support and customizable settings. Works offline effortlessly.

    164 PuTTY alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • ReactOS
    • Flathub
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    PuTTY screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
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  2. SecureCRT icon
     35 likes

    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.

    97 SecureCRT alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  3. Mosh icon
     35 likes

    Mosh (mobile shell), the mobile SSH replacement. Remote terminal application that allows roaming, supports intermittent connectivity, and provides intelligent local echo and line editing of user keystrokes.

    10 Mosh alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2012

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • US flagUnited States
    Mosh screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  4. Eternal Terminal is a remote shell that automatically reconnects without interrupting the session.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2018

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Homebrew
    Good alternative?
     
  5. Dropbear is a relatively small SSH 2 server and client. It runs on a variety of POSIX-based platforms. Features: A small memory footprint suitable for memory-constrained environments - Dropbear can compile to a 110kB statically linked binary with uClibc on x86 (only minimal...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Since

    • Since 2012

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
    Good alternative?
     
  6. Shellngn icon
     3 likes

    Shellngn is a cloud based SSH client with SFTP and Telnet support. Manage your servers anywhere you are, with a professional and feature-rich SSH and SFTP Client.

    112 Shellngn alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Since

    • Since 2018

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    Shellngn screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  7. PSSH icon
     2 likes

    PSSH, Parallel SSH Tools, provides parallel versions of OpenSSH and related tools.

    Cost / License

    Since

    • Since 2010

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • OpenSSH
    • Python
    Good alternative?
     
  8. SSH Pilot icon
     4 likes

    Desktop SSH manager featuring a user-friendly graphical interface, integrated terminal, tabbed sessions, port forwarding, secure credential storage, SCP upload, keypair generation, privacy controls, customizable appearance options, and .ssh/config import support.

    67 SSH Pilot alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2025

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Good alternative?
     
  9. CompleteFTP icon
     5 likes

    A Windows and Linux server for SFTP, FTPS, FTP and HTTPS, with unlimited users on every edition, a virtual file system, and Active Directory integration.

    28 CompleteFTP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2010

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 24 OpenSSH alternatives