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 Terminal, PowerShell, Termius and WindTerm.

PuTTY alternatives are mainly Terminal Emulators but may also be SSH Clients or Remote Desktop Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of PuTTY.

PuTTY alternatives page was last updated

PuTTY

1390

Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator

PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console and network file transfer application. It supports...

More about PuTTY

OpenSSH
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
SSH Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
iPhone
BSD
Cygwin
Haiku
59 OpenSSH alternatives
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.
- - OpenSSH is the most popular Mac, iPhone & Linux alternative to PuTTY.
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OpenSSH Features
SSH
Support for SFTP
Cross-Platform
Jailbreak required
Bundled with macOS
Add a screenshot

Comments about OpenSSH as a Alternative to PuTTY
Most users think OpenSSH is a great PuTTY alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Brioni1988
Up to date. One of the most trustworthy dev teams on the intenet.
Top positive comment•
10

Harty1978
Totally standardized on all platforms (ok, not Windows, but catching up there).
Top positive comment•
6

JTDimino
Not a terminal emulator like PuTTY is.
Top negative comment•
1

Guest
It is a SSL-Protocol-Implementation not a Terminal Emulator
Negative comment•
0

fej
OpenSSH is an implementation of the SSH protocol. Putty is a GUI application for connecting to other devices via SSH and Telnet.
Negative comment•
0

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5 of 10 comments
Tabby Terminal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
SSH Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
84 Tabby Terminal alternatives
Tabby is an infinitely customizable cross-platform terminal app for local shells, serial, SSH and Telnet connections.
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Tabby Terminal Features
1. Command line interfaceTabby Terminal either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
2. PortableTabby Terminal can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. LightweightTabby Terminal consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Support for scriptingTabby Terminal supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
SSH
Support for SFTP
Multiple Servers
Electron based
Customizable
Serial-port
Comments about Tabby Terminal as a Alternative to PuTTY
Almost everyone thinks Tabby Terminal is a great PuTTY alternative.
takavar
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.
Positive comment•
0
PowerShell
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
Shell
Mac
Windows
Linux
61 PowerShell alternatives
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.
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PowerShell Features
1. Support for scriptingPowerShell supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsPowerShell can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
PowerShell Scripting
Optimized for Windows
Comments about PowerShell as a Alternative to PuTTY
This alternative is disputed. PowerShell is still a legitimate PuTTY alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
PuTTY is for remote terminal access, via SSH, Telnet, serial, etc.. Powershell is a shell for scripting not SSH or Telent access.
Negative comment•
11

Guest
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.
Positive comment•
3

Brioni1988
Local command shell. Putty is first and foremost a remote connection too.
Negative comment•
13

Guest
Not the same kind of product.
Negative comment•
0
Termius
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Terminal Emulator
SSH Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
iPad
41 Termius alternatives
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.
- - Termius is the most popular iPad alternative to PuTTY.
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Termius Features
1. User Session RecordingTermius can record user sessions to gain a real understanding of how users interact with a website.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Support for SFTP
Mosh client
Keychain
Port Forwarding
Unix-like
SSH
Security focused
FTP Server Migration
Server Monitoring
Secure Copy (SCP)
Comments about Termius as a Alternative to PuTTY
Almost everyone thinks Termius is a great PuTTY alternative.
Guest
Can be used on Linux, has a cleaner Interface compared to PuTTY & it's free for students.
Positive comment•
0
WindTerm
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Terminal Emulator
Shell
Mac
Windows
Linux
41 WindTerm alternatives
A professional SSH/Telnet/Serial/Shell/Sftp client for DevOps.
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WindTerm Features
1. PortableWindTerm can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. LightweightWindTerm consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Syntax HighlightingWindTerm supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of WindTerm.
Support for SFTP
SSH
X server
Command palette
Cross-Platform
Outliner
Muon SSH/SFTP client (formerly Snowflake)
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
Linux
18 Muon SSH/SFTP client (formerly Snowflake) alternatives
Graphical SFTP client and terminal emulator with helpful utilities.
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Muon SSH/SFTP client (formerly Snowflake) Features
Linux-based
Support for SFTP
Java based
SSH
Secure Copy (SCP)
Tilix
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
Linux
59 Tilix alternatives
Tilix is a tiling terminal emulator which uses the VTE GTK+ 3 widget with the following features:
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Tilix Features
Split-screen view
Dropdown terminal