The Best PuTTY AlternativesTop Terminal Emulators & SSH Clients like PuTTY

PuTTY is described as 'Free and open-source terminal emulator supporting SSH, Telnet, and SCP. Portable, lightweight, and works offline to connect to remote systems securely' and is a leading terminal emulator in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to PuTTY for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone apps. The best PuTTY alternative is KiTTY, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like PuTTY are OpenSSH, MobaXterm, Tabby and Termux.

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.
More about PuTTY
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
PuTTY alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. KiTTY icon

    KiTTY

     189 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    KiTTY is an opensource terminal emulator, forked from PuTTY , that adds many extra features to the original software.

    99 KiTTY alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    transparency settings
     
    |
    4
    62
    Comments about KiTTY as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Xeogin
    Positive
    2

    It's a more actively developed fork.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    It's pretty much stock Putty, but upgraded to modern standards.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Vlad
    Positive
    3

    Fork of putty. But more recently updated and fresher.

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    PuTTY Icon
    KiTTY icon

    • Almost everyone thinks KiTTY is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • KiTTY is the most popular Windows alternative to PuTTY.

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

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

    OpenSSH

     384 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    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
  4. MobaXterm icon

    MobaXterm

     227 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    MobaXterm is an enhanced terminal app that brings the advanced features of a Unix-like command-line to Windows. It takes the power of Cygwin and wraps it in a sleek, visual interface that's super easy to use, lightweight and portable.

    115 MobaXterm alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    MobaXterm tabbed terminal
     
    |
    3
    50
    Comments about MobaXterm as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Arguably the best remote access program out there. Great compact interface, most features I've ever seen, works amazingly fast out of the box. The 10 session limit is what makes this Freemium, so if that is not a big deal for you, this is the software for you.

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

    It's never let me down and is feature rich.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    tihedomecu
    Negative
    -5

    It's okay, but sessions are constantly disconnected after like a few minutes later. it also has some random cartoons all over the screen so annoying. not recommended.

    PuTTY Icon
    MobaXterm icon

    • Most users think MobaXterm is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • MobaXterm is Freemium and ProprietaryPuTTY is Free and Open Source
    • MobaXterm is CustomizablePuTTY is not according to our users
  5. Tabby icon

    Tabby

     117 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Tabby screenshot 1
     
    |
    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
  6. Termux icon

    Termux

     115 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Experience a powerful Unix terminal on Android without the need for rooting. Customize with packages via Apt, run command-line tools, SSH, and program in C, Python, and more. Enjoy a full Unix environment with bash, zsh, mouse support, and external display compatibility.

    102 Termux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    • zsh
    • GNU Bourne Again SHell
    Termux screenshot 1
    Termux screenshot 2
    Termux screenshot 3
     

    • Termux is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to PuTTY.

    • Termux is Free and Open SourcePuTTY is also Free and Open Source
  7. mRemoteNG icon

    mRemoteNG

     226 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Manage remote connections efficiently with this open-source tool, featuring a tabbed interface supporting RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet, HTTP, and more protocols, without any ads.

    85 mRemoteNG alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Config Connections
     
    |
    2
    19
    Comments about mRemoteNG as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    If multiwindow (think 10+ ssh sessions at a time) is your thing this is the best alternative by far -- as a Linux admin and typically on 25+ servers at a crack this free app managed all servers no sweat.

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

    Free with premium features

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

    • Almost everyone thinks mRemoteNG is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • mRemoteNG is Free and Open SourcePuTTY is also Free and Open Source
  9. Termius icon

    Termius

     36 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    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
  10. PowerShell icon

    PowerShell

     200 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    PowerShell screenshot 1
     
    |
    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.
    Show more comments
    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
  11. ReTerminal icon

    ReTerminal

     19 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    ReTerminal is a sleek, Material 3-inspired terminal emulator designed as a modern alternative to the legacy Jackpal Terminal. Built on Termux's robust TerminalView.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    ReTerminal screenshot 1
    ReTerminal screenshot 2
    ReTerminal screenshot 3
     
  12. Bitvise SSH Client icon

    Bitvise SSH Client

     62 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    SSH client for file transfer, terminal and tunneling.

    62 Bitvise SSH Client alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Bitvise SSH Client screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    18
    Comments about Bitvise SSH Client as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    0

    Easy to use also have sftp

    akanealw
    Positive
    0

    Very handy program. I have my ssh connection connect automatically at login. Does my reverse ssh tunnel and socks proxy and stays minimized in the system tray.

    PuTTY Icon
    Bitvise SSH Client icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Bitvise SSH Client is a great PuTTY alternative.

    • Bitvise SSH Client is Free Personal and ProprietaryPuTTY is Free and Open Source
  13. ZOC icon

    ZOC

     70 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
    |
    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.
    Show more comments
    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
  14. ConnectBot icon

    ConnectBot

     102 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    ConnectBot is a Secure Shell client for the Android platform. Its ultimate goal is to create a secure connection through which you can use a shell on a remote machine and transfer files back and forth to your phone.

    43 ConnectBot alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    ConnectBot screenshot 1
     
12 of 115 PuTTY alternatives