Free and open first
Best SSH Clients in 2026
For connecting to remote systems, an SSH client’s protocols and platform support are a practical place to compare options. Session management, port forwarding and SFTP support cover other aspects of connection workflows, while team session sharing may matter when people need to work together. WinSCP, electerm and Termius are among the entries, with Royal TS and XPipe also listed. Compare free-plan availability and paid-from pricing alongside supported protocols and platforms, then weigh the session and transfer capabilities against the way you work.
- 33 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
electerm
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5electerm combines remote sessions, file management, and synchronization options in one open-source application.
- 2
- 3
Bast
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsBast combines SSH host organization with SFTP, key tools, cloud host sync, and an encrypted Vault. Windows users need the specified OpenSSH commands, and Vercel Sandbox sessions have a five-hour cap.
- 4
FinalShell
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsFinalShell brings connections, file handling, terminal tools, and monitoring into one cross-platform application.
7.4 Visit site - 5
OpenSSH
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1OpenSSH provides a broad set of tools for encrypted remote access, file transfer, and forwarding. Its compatibility limits reflect the project’s practice of disabling options with known weaknesses.
- 6
Royal TS
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+4Royal TS combines multi-protocol connection management with document sharing, credential separation and automation options.
- 7
Core Shell
Free plan iPhoneMacChoose Core Shell if you need an Apple device terminal with OpenSSH, SFTP, and serial support, especially when host organization matters.
- 8
Bitvise SSH Client
Free plan WindowsBitvise SSH Client combines terminal access, tunneling, and graphical or scripted SFTP workflows. It requires an SSH server and is a Windows-only option.
- 9
ConnectBot
Free plan AndroidChoose ConnectBot if you need a free Android client for remote shell access, SSH sessions, and file transfers.
- 10
KiTTY
Free plan WindowsKiTTY combines SSH and Telnet access with port forwarding, session controls and automation features at no charge.
- 11
PuTTY
Free plan LinuxWindows - 12
Termius
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3Termius covers remote connection tools, encrypted vaults, and team sharing across desktop and mobile platforms.
- 13
- 14
mRemoteNG
Free plan WindowsmRemoteNG brings many remote connection types into one free Windows application and offers file transfer and connection import/export tools.
- 15
Ásbrú Connection Manager
Free plan LinuxWindowsÁsbrú Connection Manager brings session organization and connection automation together in a free graphical tool.
- 16
Secure ShellFish
Free plan iPhoneMacSecure ShellFish brings server terminals and file access into Apple devices with broad authentication and automation support.
- 17
Tabby
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsTabby brings several connection types, SSH tools, and flexible pane layouts into a free FOSS terminal. Readers who need dedicated support terms should note that none are stated.
- 18
WindTerm
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsWindTerm combines terminal connections, file-transfer protocols, and SSH forwarding options in a free desktop client.
- 19
SmarTTY
Free plan WindowsSmarTTY combines SSH sessions with file transfer, remote editing, and a hex terminal at no cost. Its platform is Windows, and its multi-tab connection behavior depends on server support.
- 20
XPipe
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsXPipe brings remote connections, file handling, shell sessions, and infrastructure integrations into one hub.
- 21
SuperPuTTY
Free plan WindowsSuperPuTTY combines multiple remote session types, file transfers, and saved layouts in a free Windows application.
- 22
- 23
SecurSSH
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 24
Xshell
Free plan WindowsXshell offers a broad set of connection protocols alongside session organization and scripting tools for Windows users.
- 25
AbsoluteTelnet
Free trial WindowsAbsoluteTelnet offers a broad Windows protocol and terminal toolkit, with scripting and current security options documented for version 14.23.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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