Side by side

MobaXterm vs Ptyxis

Both stand on terminal apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

MobaXterm

Free plan Windows

Pick MobaXterm if you need a Windows tool that brings remote sessions, Unix commands, graphical applications, and SFTP file transfer together. Look elsewhere if you need a platform other than Windows or Home Edition’s session, tunnel, and macro limits are too restrictive.

Visit MobaXterm

Ptyxis

Free plan Linux

Ptyxis offers a container-focused GNOME terminal with customization, GPU rendering, and tab-management tools at no cost. Its availability is limited to Linux desktop use, with support handled through reported issues.

Visit Ptyxis

The facts

	MobaXterm	Ptyxis
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	No	Not published
Runs on	Windows	Linux
Lowest paid plan	Professional Edition: $69 a year	Free or on request
Plans published	2	1
Maker	MobaXterm	Ptyxis
Website	mobaxterm.mobatek.net	devsuite.app
On terminal apps	#14 of 41	#28 of 41

MobaXterm: what it does well

Supports a broad range of remote session protocols, including SSH, RDP, VNC, and SFTP.
Runs remote graphical applications through its embedded X server.
Provides a graphical SFTP browser within SSH sessions.
Can route connections through an SSH gateway.
The single executable can run from a USB stick without admin rights.

What to know first

The product is available for Windows only.
The free Home Edition is limited to 12 sessions, 2 SSH tunnels, and 4 macros.
Home Edition licensing does not obligate the maker to provide technical assistance or maintenance.

Ptyxis: what it does well

Free GNU GPL software
Supports Toolbox, Distrobox, Podman, and JHBuild
Vulkan or OpenGL GPU rendering
Searchable tab overviews
GTK 4 accessibility support

What to know first

Linux desktop only
Flathub labels it Medium Risk
Support is directed through issue filing

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