Free and open first

Best SSH Server Software in 2026

SSH server software lets you provide secure remote access to systems and services. This list is for people comparing hosted, self-hosted, desktop and web-based options on a budget.

34 apps
Research read 23 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Tailscale
by Tailscale
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6

Tailscale combines encrypted device connections with access rules, identity provisioning, monitoring, and sharing features.

8.7 Free plan · paid from $8/user/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
2

Bastillion

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

7.7 Free plan · paid from $149/yr Visit site
3

Boundary

Free plan APILinuxMac+3

Boundary combines identity-based infrastructure access with credential brokering, target discovery, and audit capabilities.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
4

Cloudflare Access
by Cloudflare Access
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

Cloudflare Access combines per-resource access policies with identity and device checks, and supports browser access for contractors and partners.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo (annual) Visit site
5

CoreSSH Server

Free plan APILinuxMac+1

7.6 Free plan · paid from $99 · 30-day trial Visit site
6

Dropbear

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

7.5 Free plan Visit site
7

JumpServer

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

7.5 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
8

Octelium

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

Choose Octelium if you need an open-source, self-hosted access platform with application-layer policies and support for a wide range of services.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
9

Bitvise SSH Server

Free plan Self-hostedWindows

7.3 Free plan · paid from $99.95 · 30-day trial Visit site
10

OpenSSH

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

OpenSSH 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.

7.3 Open source Visit site
11

ShellHub

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+2

7.2 Free plan Visit site
12

KpyM Telnet/SSH Server

Free plan Self-hostedWindows

7.1 Free plan Visit site
13

Teleport

Free plan APILinuxMac+3

Teleport brings identity, authentication, approvals, and auditing into one infrastructure access platform.

7.1 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
14

MobaSSH

Free plan Windows

7.0 Free plan · paid from $69 · 60-day trial Visit site
15

Sysax Multi Server

Free plan APISelf-hostedWindows

7.0 Free plan · paid from $297 · 30-day trial Visit site
16

The Bastion

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted

6.9 Open source Visit site
17

Warpgate

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

6.9 Free plan Visit site
18

wolfSSH

Free plan APILinuxMac+2

6.9 Free plan · paid from $2,600/yr Visit site
19

Vauban

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

6.8 Free plan Visit site
20

BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access

Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+5

BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access combines time-limited access controls, protected credentials, and monitored sessions across major connection protocols.

6.6 Pricing on request Visit site
21

TinySSH

Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWindows

6.6 Open source Visit site
22

Foxpass

Free trial APILinuxMac+2

Choose Foxpass if your organization needs Cloud LDAP together with RADIUS, PKI, or certificate-based access controls.

6.4 From $0.50/user/mo (annual) Visit site
23

Bastion

Paid LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1

6.1 Pricing on request Visit site
24

Pragma Fortress SSH Server

Free trial Self-hostedWindows

5.9 From $1,199 · 14-day trial Visit site
25

VShell Server

Free trial APILinuxMac+3

VShell Server offers multiple transfer protocols, access controls, automation triggers, and logging options.

5.9 From $119 · 30-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, paid starting prices, trials and open-source licences before choosing. Check deployment needs, supported platforms, authentication controls, session limits and audit features for your setup.

Questions

Is SSH server software available for free?

Yes. The list includes free products and freemium products with free plans. Paid options and paid upgrades are also available.

Which SSH servers offer trials?

Bitvise SSH Server and CoreSSH Server list 30-day trials. JumpServer lists a 14-day trial.

What platforms can these tools support?

Supported platforms across the list include Linux, Windows, self-hosted deployments, web, macOS and API access. Check the platform details for the tool you are considering.

Are open-source SSH servers included?

Yes. Open-source code is offered by tools on the list. Review the licence before modifying or redistributing code.

How much do paid SSH server tools cost?

Listed starting prices include $99.95 for Bitvise SSH Server, $149 per year for Bastillion, $99 for CoreSSH Server and $0.50 per user per month for Foxpass on annual billing. Other products quote on request.

Questions

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