Xshell Alternatives for Mac

Xshell is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The best Mac alternative is OpenSSH, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Xshell and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Xshell are Alacritty, Termius, WindTerm and Remote Desktop Manager.

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Xshell alternatives are mainly Terminal Emulators but may also be SSH Clients or Remote Desktop Tools.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Xshell.
Xshell iconXshell
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Xshell is a powerful SSH1, SSH2, SFTP, TELNET, RLOGIN and SERIAL terminal emulator for Windows platforms. It allows users to gain access to Unix/Linux hosts easily and securely on a Windows workstation.

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More about Xshell
Xshell alternatives page was last updated Mar 11, 2025
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  1. OpenSSH icon
    OpenSSH icon

    OpenSSH

     374 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

    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 iconXshell Icon

    OpenSSH VS Xshell

    Is OpenSSH a good alternative to Xshell?
     

    • Most users think OpenSSH is a great Xshell alternative.

    • OpenSSH is the most popular Mac & iPhone alternative to Xshell.

    • OpenSSH is Free and Open SourceXshell is Free Personal and Proprietary
  2. Alacritty icon
    Alacritty icon

    Alacritty

     64 likes
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    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.

    80 Alacritty alternatives
    Alacritty screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Alacritty screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  GPU Support
    2.  No input delay
    3.  Portable
    4.  Command line interface
    5.  Support for scripting
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    Alacritty iconXshell Icon

    Alacritty VS Xshell

    Is Alacritty a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  4. Termius icon
    Termius icon

    Termius

     33 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.

    52 Termius alternatives
    Termius screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    Termius screenshot 1
    Termius screenshot 2
    +9
    Termius screenshot 3

    Top Termius 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 iconXshell Icon

    Termius VS Xshell

    Is Termius a good alternative to Xshell?
     

    • Termius is the most popular iPad alternative to Xshell.

    • Termius is Freemium and ProprietaryXshell is Free Personal and Proprietary
  5. WindTerm icon
    WindTerm icon

    WindTerm

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

    53 WindTerm alternatives
    WindTerm screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    WindTerm screenshot 1
    WindTerm screenshot 2

    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 iconXshell Icon

    WindTerm VS Xshell

    Is WindTerm a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  6. Remote Desktop Manager icon
    Remote Desktop Manager icon

    Remote Desktop Manager

     81 likes
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    Remote Desktop Manager lets you centralize all your remote connections, passwords and credentials into a unique platform that can be securely shared between users. Drive security, speed and productivity through your organization while reducing risks for your IT department.

    56 Remote Desktop Manager alternatives
    Easily Manage All Your Remote Connections

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Fully Customize Entries to Suit Your Needs
    Analyze Passwords and Enforce Policies
    +2
    Work with Multiple Connections at the Same Time

    Remote Desktop Manager Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    2.  Automatic Connection
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Role-based security access
    6.  VNC Support
    7.  SSH
    8.  RDP
    9.  Centralized credentials
    10. Microsoft Active Directory icon  Active Directory integration
    Remote Desktop Manager iconXshell Icon

    Remote Desktop Manager VS Xshell

    Is this a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  7. SecureCRT icon
    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.

    57 SecureCRT alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    SecureCRT Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  SSH
    3.  Auto-login
    SecureCRT iconXshell Icon

    SecureCRT VS Xshell

    Is SecureCRT a good alternative to Xshell?
     

    • SecureCRT is the most popular commercial alternative to Xshell.

    • SecureCRT is Paid and ProprietaryXshell is Free Personal and Proprietary
  9. WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools icon
    WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools icon

    WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools

     4 likes
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    SSH, SFTP and Port Forwarding!.

    50 WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools alternatives
    WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools screenshot 1
    WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools screenshot 2
    +3
    WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools screenshot 3

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Port Forwarding
    WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools iconXshell Icon

    WebSSH - SysAdmin Tools VS Xshell

    Is this a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  10. Royal TSX icon
    Royal TSX icon

    Royal TSX

     40 likes
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    Royal TS provides easy and secure access to your remote systems

    Unlock the power to remotely manage your systems on multiple platforms!

    Royal TS is the perfect tool for server admins, system engineers, developers and IT focused information workers who constantly need to access.

    129 Royal TSX alternatives
    RDP Connections

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Overview tab
    Plugins
    +4
    Terminal Connections

    Royal TSX Features

    1.  SSH
    2.  RDP
    3.  Tabbed interface
    4.  Multiple Account support
    5.  Password Sharing
    6.  Clientless Remote Connection
    7.  Explorer-like
    Royal TSX iconXshell Icon

    Royal TSX VS Xshell

    Is Royal TSX a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  11. Termix icon
    Termix icon

    Termix

     1 like
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    A modern SSH client and terminal offering an unrivaled SSH and SFTP experience that enhances your productivity without compromising your privacy.

    51 Termix alternatives
    Termix screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Termix screenshot 1
    Termix screenshot 2
    +4
    Termix screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  SSH
    6.  Split-screen view
    7.  Support for SFTP
    8.  Built-in code editor
    9.  Serverless
    10.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    11.  Sync with iCloud
    12.  Built-in File Manager
    Termix iconXshell Icon

    Termix VS Xshell

    Is Termix a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  12. Secure ShellFish icon
    Secure ShellFish icon

    Secure ShellFish

     1 like
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    Lightning fast SSH terminal with remote file access. No other app fuses your SSH servers and iOS devices as well as Secure ShellFish. Tap Get and see for yourself.

    56 Secure ShellFish alternatives
    Secure ShellFish screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    Secure ShellFish screenshot 1
    Secure ShellFish screenshot 2
    +9
    Secure ShellFish screenshot 3

    Secure ShellFish Features

    1.  Two-factor Authentication
    2.  Picture in Picture
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Time-based One-time Password
    5.  SSH
    6.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    7.  MultiTouch
    Secure ShellFish iconXshell Icon

    Secure ShellFish VS Xshell

    Is Secure ShellFish a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  13. Chrome Secure Shell icon
    Chrome Secure Shell icon

    Chrome Secure Shell

     26 likes
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    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.

    65 Chrome Secure Shell alternatives
    Chrome Secure Shell screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • Google Chrome

    Chrome Secure Shell Features

    1.  Integrates with Putty configuration
    2.  SSH
    3.  Secure Copy (SCP)
    Chrome Secure Shell screenshot 1
    Chrome Secure Shell iconXshell Icon

    Chrome Secure Shell VS Xshell

    Is Chrome Secure Shell a good alternative to Xshell?
     
  14. FireSSH icon
    FireSSH icon

    FireSSH

     16 likes
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    FireSSH is a free, cross-platform SSH terminal client for Mozilla Firefox. Written entirely in Javascript!

    65 FireSSH alternatives
    FireSSH screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Waterfox
    • Pale Moon
    • Firefox

    FireSSH Features

    1.  Legacy Firefox Addon
    2.  SSH
    3.  Browser-based
    Discontinued

    The extension is not working on Firefox 57 and later. The developer ended support and development of FireSSH. The extension still works on XUL-based Firefox forks like Waterfox icon Waterfox and Pale Moon icon Pale Moon

    FireSSH iconXshell Icon

    FireSSH VS Xshell

    Is FireSSH a good alternative to Xshell?
     
12 of 22 Xshell alternatives