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Tera Term

by Tera Term

Free plan Windows

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Tera Term's own site

What Tera Term is

Tera Term is a free terminal emulator and communications program for Windows. It connects to serial ports and TCP/IP hosts, including through Telnet, SSH1 and SSH2. Its terminal emulation includes VT100, selected VT200 and VT300 features, and TEK4010. Listed file-transfer protocols include Kermit, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, B-PLUS and Quick-VAN. A macro language supports automated operation, and the manual describes Unicode 17.0 character types and widths alongside encodings such as UTF-8. The TTSSH plugin supports SSH1 and SSH2 with several authentication methods, including password, public key and Pageant agent. For SSH connections, Tera Term checks host keys and warns when a server key differs from one recorded in ssh_known_hosts; it does not validate DNSSEC for SSHFP records. The project says the program sends no information to other networked systems unless a user or operator requests it. The Windows installer includes TeraTerm Menu, a launcher whose settings may contain usernames and passwords. Tera Term is free under a BSD license, with commercial use permitted.

Who it suits

Tera Term suits Windows users who need terminal connections over serial ports or TCP/IP, file transfers, or macro-based automation. It also offers SSH connections through the TTSSH plugin.

What it does well

  • Free software with commercial use permitted
  • Supports serial and TCP/IP connections
  • Includes a macro language for automation
  • Supports multiple file-transfer protocols

What to know first

  • Available for Windows only
  • Does not validate DNSSEC for SSHFP records
  • TeraTerm Menu settings may contain credentials

Limits

The software is listed for Windows architectures and versions in the manual, including Windows 7 through 11 and specified Windows Server releases, with x86, x64, and ARM64 support. The manual warns that TeraTerm Menu registry or INI settings can hold usernames and passwords.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Tera TermFree software · commercial use permitted · BSD licenseFree

As teratermproject.github.io lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the Tera Term Project website
  2. Download the Windows installation package
  3. Install Tera Term and the included TeraTerm Menu launcher
  4. Choose a serial-port or TCP/IP connection
  5. Configure Telnet or SSH1/SSH2 when connecting over TCP/IP
  6. Use the macro language or a listed transfer protocol as needed

Verdict

Tera Term brings serial, Telnet and SSH connections together with terminal emulation, file transfer and macros. Users should note its Windows platform and take care with TeraTerm Menu settings that may store credentials.

Questions

How much does Tera Term cost?

Tera Term is free software at no cost. Commercial use is permitted under its BSD license.

Which operating systems are supported?

The manual lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, with x86, x64, and ARM64 support as specified.

Can it connect with SSH?

Yes. Tera Term supports SSH1 and SSH2 through the TTSSH plugin, with password, public-key, Pageant-agent, and other authentication methods.

What transfer protocols are available?

Listed protocols are Kermit, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, B-PLUS, and Quick-VAN.

How are bugs or feature requests handled?

The project directs users to GitHub issues for bug reports and requests for changes or features.

Facts from Tera Term's own pages

Automation
Tera Term supports automated operation through its macro language. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Bundled utility
TeraTerm Menu is a launcher for starting Tera Term and is included in the Tera Term installation package. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Code signing
The project says free code signing is provided by SignPath.io, with a certificate from SignPath Foundation. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Connections
It supports serial port and TCP/IP connections, including Telnet, SSH1, and SSH2. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Credential handling
The manual warns that TeraTerm Menu registry or INI settings can contain usernames and passwords and should be handled carefully. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
File transfer
Its listed file transfer protocols include Kermit, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, B-PLUS, and Quick-VAN. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Founded
1994 · teratermproject.github.io, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan
Yes · teratermproject.github.io, 20 Sept 2026
Host key checks
On SSH connections, Tera Term checks the server host key and warns when it does not match a key in ssh_known_hosts; its manual says it cannot perform DNSSEC validation for SSHFP records. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Network privacy
The project states that the program does not transfer information to other networked systems unless specifically requested by the user or the person installing or operating it. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Platform and architecture
The manual lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, with x86, x64, and ARM64 support as specified there. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Scripting API
Yes · teratermproject.github.io, 20 Sept 2026
SSH
The TTSSH plugin supports SSH1 and SSH2, with password, public key, Pageant agent, and other authentication methods described in the manual. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
SSH support
Yes · teratermproject.github.io, 20 Sept 2026
Support
The project directs users to GitHub issues to report bugs or request changes and features. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Supported platforms
windows · teratermproject.github.io, 20 Sept 2026
Terminal emulation
It emulates VT100 and some VT200 and VT300 features, as well as TEK4010. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Text support
The manual says character types and widths follow Unicode 17.0 and that many encodings, including UTF-8, are supported. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
What it does
Tera Term is a free terminal emulator and communications program. · teratermproject.github.io, 9 Oct 2026

Where Tera Term stands on Freedom251

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