electerm

electerm is a free, open-source client for terminal sessions, remote desktops and graphical file work across many protocols. It suits administrators, developers and other users who move between varied remote systems and want one cross-platform workspace. Its strongest case is protocol breadth paired with terminal and SFTP tools; the included AI service is less predictable because free-tier usage can be limited.

Overview

electerm combines a terminal emulator with a graphical SFTP manager and clients for SSH, SFTP, FTP, Telnet, serial, RDP, VNC and Spice. HTTP and HTTPS are also supported. That makes it a practical choice for mixed infrastructure, especially when one person must handle both command-line work and file transfers. Users who only need a single protocol may find the larger toolkit unnecessary.

The project is free and open-source under the MIT License, maintained by ZHAO Xudong. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web, so it can cover desktop, mobile and browser workflows without a paid edition.

Key features

Connections and access

Public-key and password authentication cover common SSH setups, while SSH tunnels and global or session proxies help with more involved network paths. Support for RDP, VNC and Spice extends the app beyond shell access into graphical remote sessions. This range is valuable for operators managing different kinds of hosts, but adds little to a narrowly focused SSH workflow.

Terminal and file workflow

The SFTP manager can edit remote files directly and move files by drag and drop. Multiple terminal tabs and split panes make concurrent sessions easier to compare, while quick input can send the same text to one terminal or to all terminals. A global visibility hotkey provides a fast way to bring the application to the foreground.

AI and integrations

The assistant can generate commands, explain them and produce scripts through OpenAI Chat Completions, OpenAI Responses and Anthropic Messages formats. The free AI service uses free-tier accounts and may impose usage limits, so it is not a dependable reason to choose electerm for heavy AI use. Supplying your own API key gives users a way to use their own provider access.

Bookmarks, themes and quick commands can sync through GitHub or Gitee secret gists, WebDAV, custom servers or electerm cloud. An MCP widget connects AI assistants and external tools, and deep links such as ssh:// and telnet:// can open connection workflows. Release 5.5.66 fixed unsafe remote-file path resolution and unsafe command execution through deep links and quick-connect options, which is relevant to anyone relying on those automation paths.

Pricing

electerm costs free on the Electerm plan. It is a free, open-source client with a free AI service that may have usage limits. There is no free trial because the product itself is free, and no paid tier, seat charge or renewal term is given. The practical trade-off is that users get the complete client without a subscription, while AI capacity may depend on free-tier availability unless they configure their own API key.

Platforms

Desktop support covers Windows, macOS and Linux. Mobile apps are available for Android and iOS, and electerm also runs on the web. That breadth suits people who need the same connection tool across computers, phones and browser sessions.

Who it's for

Choose electerm if you administer varied environments, need terminal and SFTP work together, or want RDP, VNC, Spice, serial and traditional file-transfer protocols in one free client. Its tabs, panes, broadcast input and synchronization options also fit users with repeatable multi-host workflows.

Look elsewhere if your priority is a tightly focused single-protocol tool, a guaranteed AI allowance, or a commercial support arrangement beyond the project's documentation, issue reporting, GitHub Discussions, video guides and WeChat community.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad protocol coverage: SSH, SFTP, FTP, Telnet, serial, RDP, VNC, Spice, HTTP and HTTPS address mixed remote environments.
• Unified terminal and files: Direct remote editing and drag-and-drop SFTP transfers keep common tasks in one application.
• Useful multi-session controls: Tabs, split panes and input to one or all terminals support parallel administration.
• Free and open source: The MIT license permits use without a subscription across supported platforms.
• Flexible synchronization: Several sync back ends can carry bookmarks, themes and quick commands.

Cons

• AI limits: The included service relies on free-tier accounts and may restrict usage.
• Potentially excessive scope: Users with a simple SSH need may not benefit from the many additional clients and integrations.
• Website analytics: The website uses essential and Google Analytics cookies and may collect IP, browser, operating-system, page, referral and device information.

Alternatives

BURSU Connection Manager is another free option on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, the web and Windows; choose it if optional BURSUcloud sync and team sharing matter more than electerm's terminal-and-SFTP combination.

Conduit offers a free tier with unlimited connections, an MCP server capped at 50 tool calls per day, an agent using your subscription and one-day cloud backup, plus a $10 Pro plan; pick it when those agent and backup terms fit your workflow.

Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager has a free individual edition, including commercial use, for people who do not need to share connections or credentials.

Nexterm is a free, MIT-licensed open-source alternative available across desktop, mobile, web, API and self-hosted environments.

MremoteGO is a free, MIT-licensed open-source client for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Remote Commander is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux, macOS and Windows, including commercial use.

Royal TS provides a free Lite plan limited to 10 connections, 10 credentials and one document, with a 49.00 EUR one-time Single User License; choose it when those defined connection limits and licensing model suit you.

uniTerm is a free Apache 2.0 option for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows.

For a broader directory of choices, see Remote Connection Manager Software.

Verdict

electerm is a strong fit for technically minded users who need many remote protocols, terminal multitasking and SFTP file handling without a subscription. Choose it for that unusually broad, open-source toolkit and cross-platform reach. Look elsewhere if dependable, uncapped AI service or a narrower, simpler connection client is more important than breadth.