What are the best free SSH clients for Windows right now?
Asked by
CuriousCoder92
I'm looking for recommendations on free SSH clients for Windows because my company has a policy that restricts us from using MobaXterm unless we pay for the premium version. Currently, I'm stuck with PuTTY, which feels a bit outdated to me. I used to enjoy the Kitty fork, but it hasn't been updated in years. On my Linux machines, I'm comfortable using tmux, but I need something more modern for my Windows setup. I'd prefer a client that's actively supported and can manage multiple SSH sessions easily. What are you all using these days?
Answers
PuTTY does work well, but I get what you mean about it feeling a bit clunky. Have you tried the built-in OpenSSH in Windows 10+? You can use it directly from PowerShell or the Windows Terminal. It's a solid option if you're looking for a modern command-line experience!
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You really should try using Windows Terminal with the built-in SSH functionality. It’s integrated quite well, and you don't need to install anything additional. It works great for most use cases!
EncryptionEagle: Exactly! And it's pretty straightforward to use.
HyperTerminalHater: I've been using it and haven't looked back. No need for other clients!
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Just so you know, MobaXterm's free version isn't supposed to be used in corporate environments according to their licensing. So your company's policy might actually have a point. You might want to consider alternatives like Termius or mRemoteNG for managing your connections instead.
LinceInc: That makes sense. Licensing can get complicated when working in a corporate setup.
CompanyPolicyWatcher: Wow, I didn't realize that about MobaXterm. Good to know!
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If you're looking for something that's also free and easy to use, you might want to give Bitvise a try. It has features like session management and remote file browsing that could be useful for you.
RDPWiz: I’ve heard good things about Bitvise! It has some nice extras.
TerminalExplorer: Yeah, I think it could be a good fit if you're used to more features.
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You might want to check out Windows Terminal. It rocks because you can set up profiles that work like native SSH profiles, plus you can customize tab colors to differentiate your connections. Makes it a lot easier to keep track of things when you've got multiple sessions open!
TabbedOut01: Yeah, I really like that feature! It definitely helps avoid connecting to the wrong server.
TerminalLover: I'm not a Windows user, but that sounds like a slick setup!
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SessionMaster: I agree! Once you get used to it, it feels pretty smooth, and it's nice that it syncs with other environments.
OnTheCommandLine: I was surprised to see how usable it is! It really offers a good command-line SSH experience.