PuTTY Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to PuTTY for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux 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 Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to PuTTY are Tabby, Termius, PowerShell and WindTerm.

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. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to PuTTY.
PuTTY iconPuTTY
  1433
  • ...

Free and open-source terminal emulator supporting SSH, Telnet, and SCP. Portable, lightweight, and works offline to connect to remote systems securely.

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PuTTY alternatives page was last updated May 16, 2025
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  1. OpenSSH icon

    OpenSSH

     377 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.

    61 OpenSSH alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
    • Haiku

    OpenSSH Features

    1.  SSH
    2.  Support for SFTP
    3.  Cross-Platform
    4.  Jailbreak required
    5.  Bundled with macOS

    OpenSSH VS PuTTY

     
    Comments about OpenSSH as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Top Positive Comment
    Brioni1988
    Feb 27, 2017
    10

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

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Oct 25, 2017
    17

    There is no gui for connection management.

    Most Recent Comment
    ntrain5555
    Negative Mar 2, 2025
    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

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

    102 Tabby alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • UA flagUkraine

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Tabby screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  SSH
    2.  Command line interface
    3.  Support for SFTP
    4.  Multiple Servers
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Electron based
    7.  Portable
    8.  Serial-port
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Tabbed interface

    Tabby VS PuTTY

     
    Comments about Tabby as an Alternative to PuTTY
    takavar
    Positive Jun 22, 2023
    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

     34 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.

    54 Termius alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NZ flagNew Zealand

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    Termius screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  Support for SFTP
    2.  Mosh client
    3.  Keychain
    4.  Port Forwarding
    5.  Unix-like
    6.  SSH
    7.  User Session Recording
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  FTP Server Migration
    10.  Server Monitoring
    11.  Secure Copy (SCP)

    Termius VS PuTTY

     
    Comments about Termius as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Guest
    Positive Apr 2, 2021
    0

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

    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
  5. PowerShell icon

    PowerShell

     196 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.

    66 PowerShell alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    PowerShell screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  PowerShell Scripting
    3.  Optimized for Windows
    4.  Command line interface
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Autocompletion

    PowerShell VS PuTTY

     
    Comments about PowerShell as an Alternative to PuTTY
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Nov 3, 2019
    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.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Dec 10, 2018
    11

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

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Dec 10, 2024
    0

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

    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
    • PowerShell is LightweightPuTTY is not according to our users
  6. WindTerm icon

    WindTerm

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

    58 WindTerm alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CN flagChina

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    WindTerm screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for SFTP
    2.  SSH
    3.  Portable
    4.  X server
    5.  Syntax Highlighting
    6.  Command palette
    7.  Cross-Platform
    8.  Outliner

    WindTerm VS PuTTY

     
  7. 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.

    59 SecureCRT alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    SecureCRT Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  SSH
    3.  Auto-login

    SecureCRT VS PuTTY

     
    Comments about SecureCRT as an Alternative to PuTTY
    artcrime
    Positive Dec 14, 2015
    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
  9. Termora icon

    Termora

     7 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.

    53 Termora alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Homebrew
    Termora screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Portable
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Syntax Highlighting
    8.  SSH
    9.  Gist support
    10.  Port Forwarding
    11.  Support for SFTP
    12.  WebDAV Sync

    Termora VS PuTTY

     
7 of 36 PuTTY alternatives