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 Muon SSH/SFTP client.

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Alternatives list

  1. PuTTY icon

    PuTTY

     1450 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.

    115 PuTTY alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • ReactOS
    • Flathub
    PuTTY screenshot 1
     
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    1
    19
    Comments about PuTTY as an Alternative to OpenSSH
    Harty1978
    Positive
    0

    A good way to do it on Windows until OpenSSH for Windows catches up

    OpenSSH Icon
    PuTTY icon

    • Most users think PuTTY is a great OpenSSH alternative.

    • PuTTY is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to OpenSSH.

    • PuTTY is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to OpenSSH.

    • PuTTY is Free and Open SourceOpenSSH is also Free and Open Source
    • PuTTY is LightweightOpenSSH is not according to our users
  2. WindTerm icon

    WindTerm

     21 likes

    A professional SSH/Telnet/Serial/Shell/Sftp client for DevOps.

    63 WindTerm alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    WindTerm screenshot 1
     

    • WindTerm is the most popular Mac alternative to OpenSSH.

    • WindTerm is Free and Open SourceOpenSSH is also Free and Open Source
    • WindTerm is LightweightOpenSSH is not according to our users
  4. SecureCRT icon

    SecureCRT

     34 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.

    60 SecureCRT alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     

    • SecureCRT is the most popular commercial alternative to OpenSSH.

    • SecureCRT is Paid and ProprietaryOpenSSH is Free and Open Source
  5. Mosh icon

    Mosh

     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.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    Mosh screenshot 1
     
  6. Muon SSH/SFTP client icon

    Muon SSH/SFTP client

     16 likes

    Graphical SFTP client and terminal emulator with helpful utilities.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    SFTP client
     
  7. Dropbear SSH Server and Client icon

    Dropbear SSH Server and Client

     9 likes

    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
     
  9. Eternal Terminal icon

    Eternal Terminal

     2 likes

    Eternal Terminal is a remote shell that automatically reconnects without interrupting the session.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Homebrew
     
  10. Warpgate Bastion icon

    Warpgate Bastion

     2 likes

    Warpgate is a smart SSH, HTTPS, MySQL and PostgreSQL bastion host for Linux that doesn't need special client apps.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Warpgate Bastion screenshot 1
     
  11. Shellngn icon

    Shellngn

     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.

    96 Shellngn alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Shellngn screenshot 1
     

    • Shellngn is the most popular Web-based alternative to OpenSSH.

    • Shellngn is Freemium and ProprietaryOpenSSH is Free and Open Source
  12. PSSH icon

    PSSH

     2 likes

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

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • OpenSSH
    • Python
     
  14. Engity's Bifröst icon

    Engity's Bifröst

     1 like

    Highly customizable SSH server with several ways to authorize a user and options where and how to execute a user's session.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Kubernetes
    • Docker
    • Self-Hosted
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Engity's Bifröst as an Alternative to OpenSSH
    blaubaer
    Positive
    0

    Because in contrast to OpenSSH it does support OpenID Connect natively and also remote environments like Docker and Kubernetes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    OpenSSH Icon
    Engity's Bifröst icon

    • Engity's Bifröst is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to OpenSSH.

    • Engity's Bifröst is Free and Open SourceOpenSSH is also Free and Open Source
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