Xshell Alternatives for Linux

Xshell is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. 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 25 alternatives to Xshell and 19 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Xshell are OpenSSH, Terminator, Alacritty and WindTerm.

Xshell 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 Xshell.

Xshell alternatives page was last updated

Xshell

Free Personal • Proprietary
Terminal Emulator

Xshell is a powerful SSH1, SSH2, SFTP, TELNET, RLOGIN and SERIAL terminal emulator for Windows platforms. It allows users...

More about Xshell

PuTTY
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
SSH Client
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
ReactOS
105 PuTTY alternatives
PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console and network file transfer application. It supports several network protocols, including SCP, SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and raw socket connection. It can also connect to a serial port.
- - PuTTY is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to Xshell.
- - PuTTY is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Xshell.
Suggest and vote on features
PuTTY Features
1. LightweightPuTTY consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
SSH
Built-in SSH client
Telnet client
Host management
Graphical User Interface
Serial terminal
Support for SFTP
Logging
Session Management
Xterm emulation
Comments about PuTTY as a Alternative to Xshell
This alternative is disputed. PuTTY is still a legitimate Xshell alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
No post-login script per profile/session
Negative comment•
2
OpenSSH
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
SSH Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
iPhone
BSD
Cygwin
Haiku
58 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 alternative to Xshell.
Suggest and vote on features
OpenSSH Features
SSH
Support for SFTP
Cross-Platform
Jailbreak required
Bundled with macOS
Add a screenshot

Opinions about OpenSSH as a Alternative to Xshell
Most users think OpenSSH is a great Xshell alternative.
Terminator
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
Linux
BSD
77 Terminator alternatives
Terminator enables the user to run and manage multiple terminal emulators side-by-side in the same window. The main focus is arranging terminals in a grid. (Tabs is the most common default method, which Terminator also supports.
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Terminator Features
1. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Terminator.
2. Support for Multiple MonitorsTerminator supports the use of multiple displays.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsTerminator can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Split-screen view
Split windows
Multiple Terminal
Configurable
Function Key Shortcuts
Tiling Layouts
Alacritty
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
70 Alacritty alternatives
Alacritty is a blazing fast, GPU accelerated terminal emulator. It’s written in Rust and uses OpenGL for rendering to be the fastest terminal emulator available. Alacritty is available on GitHub in source form.
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Alacritty Features
1. LightweightAlacritty consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableAlacritty can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Command line interfaceAlacritty either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
GPU Support
Optimal performance
No input delay
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
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.
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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)
Chrome Secure Shell
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Terminal Emulator
SSH Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
Google Chrome
60 Chrome Secure Shell alternatives
Secure Shell is an xterm-compatible terminal emulator and stand-alone ssh client for Chrome. It uses Native-Client to connect directly to ssh servers without the need for external proxies.
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Chrome Secure Shell Features
Integrates with Putty configuration
SSH
Secure Copy (SCP)
SecureCRT
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Terminal Emulator
Mac
Windows
Linux
50 SecureCRT alternatives
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.
- - SecureCRT is the most popular commercial alternative to Xshell.
Suggest and vote on features
SecureCRT Features
1. Support for scriptingSecureCRT supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
SSH
Auto-login
Add a screenshot
PAC Manager
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
SSH Client
Remote Desktop Tool
Linux
46 PAC Manager alternatives
PAC is a Perl/GTK Gnome replacement for SecureCRT/Putty/etc... It provides a GUI to configure SSH/Telnet connections: users, passwords, EXPECT regular expressions, macros, etc.
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PAC Manager Features
Tabbed interface
VNC Support
RDP
Support for Multiple protocols
Group connections
Gtk
SSH
Discontinued
The project seems to be no longer developed. Last version, 4.5.5.7, released in November 2015, can be still downloaded from the official website.

Comments about PAC Manager as a Alternative to Xshell
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Even though it's discontinued, it still offers a huge load of features and is highly customizable.
Positive comment•
0
Asbru Connection Manager
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Terminal Emulator
Linux
13 Asbru Connection Manager alternatives
Ásbrú Connection Manager is a user interface that helps organizing remote terminal sessions and automating repetitive tasks.
Suggest and vote on features
Asbru Connection Manager Features
SSH
Tabbed interface
Debian package
Remote shell
Ssh tunnel
KRDC
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Remote Desktop Tool
Linux
28 KRDC alternatives
KRDC is the KDE Remote Desktop Client. KRDC was overhauled as part of the Google Summer of Code (SoC) 2007 by Urs Wolfer and other developers to be included in the KDE 4.0. An overhaul was needed as KRDC development had slowed to a stop as it had no active maintainer for several...
Suggest and vote on features
KRDC Features
RDP
VNC Support
rdesktop
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Remote Desktop Tool
Linux
BSD
46 rdesktop alternatives
rdesktop is an open source client for Windows Terminal Services, capable of natively speaking Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) in order to present the users Windows desktop. Supported servers include Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows...
rdesktop has no features, suggest some!
Discontinued
In November of 2019, Pierre Ossman of Cendio AB announced that his company will no longer be maintaining this project. They are currently seeking maintainers.